Undercover helped push the boundaries of Christian rock in the 1980s. But what happened when the songwriter behind the music began questioning the beliefs that shaped it?

In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, I’m joined by Joseph “Ojo” Taylor to revisit Undercover’s beginnings, the story behind “Boys and Girls Renounce the World”, and the long personal and musical journey that led to his new solo album, Behold.

Ojo takes us back to Southern California’s punk and new wave scene, where Undercover brought an unexpected sound and attitude into churches. We discuss the pressures placed on Christian musicians, how divorce affected his songwriting, and his changing relationship with Christianity.

We also explore the missing years: raising five children, returning to education, working in corporate finance and becoming a music industry professor. Then we dig into Behold, from forgotten guitar recordings and familiar collaborators to “The Altars”, “May It Be So” and finding the courage to sing his own songs.

It’s an honest conversation about classic Christian music, changing beliefs, creative freedom and allowing an artist’s story to keep moving forward.

In this episode

• Undercover’s origins and Ojo’s early musical influences.
• Bringing punk and new wave into the Christian music scene.
• “Boys and Girls Renounce the World” and a turning point in his life.
• Divorce, doubt and the expectation that Christian artists should have all the answers.
• Fatherhood, education and life beyond Undercover.
• The twenty-year journey behind Behold.
• Reconnecting with Gym Nicholson on “The Altars”.
• “May It Be So”, its choir and its message for children.
• Making music with the freedom to reflect who you are today.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Undercover, Ojo Taylor and Behold

03:37 Becoming Ojo: early influences, punk and new wave

10:51 Forming Undercover and bringing a new sound into churches

20:28 Boys and Girls Renounce the World, divorce and artistic honesty

34:26 Faith, doubt and Ojo’s changing spiritual path

39:19 The missing years: fatherhood, education and teaching

47:28 Creating Behold: forgotten recordings and musical collaborators

57:22 The Altars, Gym Nicholson and the crossed-out album title

1:02:42 May It Be So: a prayer for children

1:05:12 A new chapter: creative freedom and finding his voice

Connect with Ojo Taylor

Website: https://ojotaylor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojotaylor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ojo_taylor

Buy Behold: https://shop-thechoir.myshopify.com/collections/ojo-taylor

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