By Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA (ANS) -- B.J. (Billy Joe) Thomas has been a fixture on the American Christian and secular music scene for decades and he got worldwide recognition when the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, featured Thomas performing the (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", which became the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970. The song was also released on an album of the same name.
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I caught up with Thomas at the recent Feed The Children 2008 Hero Awards at the Universal Hilton, Universal City, California, where he was to perform some of his hit records such as Raindrops, Hooked On A Feelin' and Just Can't Help Believin'.
In an interview I conducted with him for ANS and Safe Worlds IPTV, Thomas said, "I've got a song that I am going to sing tonight that really ties in with the Hero Awards; I did it on the soundtrack of the movie Jake's Corner called When The Hero Dies. So it kind of ties in beautifully and I'm looking forward to doing that."
When asked how long he has been in show business, Thomas replied, "I got in a band when I was fifteen years old, back in nineteen-fifty-seven, so I've been in the business a long time."
I then asked him if he knew Buddy Holly.
"No, as I was about twelve years old when Buddy was killed in the plane crash," said Thomas. "So he was just right ahead of me, but you know, of course, I used a Buddy Holly lick on the end of Raindrops and he's always been an inspiration for me along with Elvis and a lot of those guys.
"And that will kind of be the theme of my music tonight; the fact that these guys are not alive anymore but they set the example for us to keep the dream alive."
B.J. Thomas is a committed Christian and I then mentioned that many Christian musicians appear to go through a spiritual crisis in their lives and I wondered if that had been the same for him.
"I did have some alcohol and drug problems which I believe would have come along whether I'd been in the music business or not," he said. "It was just a part of my youth and the way I grew up.
"My dad had some alcohol problems and he probably is my biggest hero of all time. Still he kind of passed them along to me and that was just something I had to deal with.
"I didn't really get past it until I had a spiritual awakening back in nineteen-seventy-six, so I thank God for that and it wasn't until that happened to me that I really got past it. But I am so glad to still be standing here today."
What had been the highlight of his life?
"Oh gosh, I guess my marriage to my lovely wife Gloria," he said as huge smiled enveloped his face. "I've had a forty year marriage. I've got three grown children and three grandchildren. So even if I never had had any hit records or any success in music, I still would have had a beautiful life just because of the family I've had. So that's my biggest thrill in life."
Standing next to B.J. Thomas on the red carpet was Bo Rice, the American Idol fourth-season runner-up, so I asked him what he thought about the "Idol" show.
"It is just a part of what's going on in our society right now," he said. "I learned my craft after I had my first hit record while I was out with Dick Clark. I learned how to be an entertainer while I was doing my job. Now days, because of American Idol, it kind of exemplifies that you've got to be way past learning before you step on the stage anywhere. So that's just the way it is. Everything is getting better and everybody's getting younger."
I then asked him if he was amazed that he was still alive.
"Oh absolutely," he said. "I'm just living on blessed time. You know I've had a lot of my friends and peers who didn't make it through their drug addictions and alcohol problems. For some reason God had a plan for me; at least that's the way I feel about it. He had a plan for them too. He just they got their job done quicker than I have. So yes, I feel very fortunate to and I thank God for it."
Note: I would like to thank Robin Frost for transcribing this interview.
A few facts and figure on the career of B.J. Thomas
* Sold more than 70 million records
* Earned 2 Platinum records
* Had 11 Gold records
* Won 5 Grammy Awards
* Won 2 Dove Awards for Gospel Recordings which include "Home Where I Belong".
* Had 15 Top 40 Pop/Rock Hits which include "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", "Eyes Of A New York Woman", "Hooked On A Feeling", "Rock and Roll Lullaby", and "I Just Can't Help Believing"
* Had 10 Top 40 Country Chart Hits which include "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song", "Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love" and "Two Car Garage"
* Become the 60th Member of The Grand Ole Opry in 1981.
* Been the only artist ever to have the "Song Of The Year" on the Pop, Country and Gospel charts
| Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 44 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com. |
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Where do you get the information that B. J. is a commintted Christian. Aside from your blog, all other interviews he has renounced Jesus as the only way. I would call him a commintted Universalist, but not a Christian. I pray that your info is correct, because I love B. J., and I pray for him.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I don't know where you get YOUR information, but I would add to that, Jesus came to save everyone, not just Christians. There's a belief called Universal Reconciliation, you might want to look into it.
DeleteChrist DID come to save everyone. But not all will be saved. Only those that TRUST in His name.
DeleteUniversalism... Seriously?
You apparently have discarded 50% of the pages in Scripture to make it happen. And I DO know where you got YOUR information!
Ron Fowler read a Bible. Jesus said he was the only way to God, your welcome to not accept that. Anyone who hasn't repented of there sins and puts there faith in trust in Christ isn't saved according to the word there is no wiggle room in the Bible and according to Jesus.
DeleteRon Fowler, the Bible says otherwise, you should look into it.
DeleteRon Fowler....Yes, Jesus saves everyone that believes in him as the Son Of God. If someone is not a Christian, He will not recognize you. Read The Bible.
DeleteJennifer, this is a media release that I found a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard/read something to the contrary? If so, do you have a link?
Phil
I agree with Jennifer. My husband and I saw B.J Thomas perform in Decorah IA in the mid 1980's and he put down Christians who said Jesus was the only way. He said to the audience that there are many ways to God. The people there whistled and clapped in whole agreement.
ReplyDeleteI think Jennifer is partially correct; I believe it was more a situation of B.J. renouncing certain factions of strident fundamentalist
ReplyDeleteChristianity. I would wager he is still a man of great faith.
Agreed.
DeleteI've been to two BJ Thomas concerts. The first was one in Wausau WI in a theatre in the round back in the early 80s. I recall BJT getting extremely upset with a couple of audience members who were apparently sneering and shaking their heads judgmentally about some of song lyrics "this time the girl is going to stay". He pretty much went off on them about "I'm an entertainer who's a Christian, not a Christian entertainer." The audience was pretty much behind him for awhile and particularly when he said that song was about a time when he and his wife were trying to put their marriage back together after some separations and a lot of fighting. But then he just kept on berating the people in the audience for another 10 minutes or more and everyone was very uncomfortable with this tirade. At the time, my wife and I both agreed on our way out to the parking lot that while it sounded like he wasn't anything less than sincere about his relatively recent Christianity, that he definitely was having a lot of anger issues over it, and we prayed that he'd get by the judgmental folks who would rather tear someone down wouldn't destroy what seemed to be a relatively young and immature Christian.
ReplyDeleteThe next time I saw him was probably 8-9 years ago where we live now. He just volunteered up during the concert that he wasn't a Christian and never claimed to be, but that he believes that being spiritual is important. My wife who'd been with me at the first concert as well, we were pretty disappointed and both of us said, that's not what he was saying back then.
My experienced based guess given all the business parameters involved meant that BJT dealt out whatever best suited the business requirements at the time which was when he was really trying to sell Christian albums [Amazing Grace].
Not claiming to be a Christian or especially saying he wasn't would have really put a damper on sales at the time.
I don't mean to judge the man's heart, not my job. But just going on what he said, that explanation of two conflicting comments and taking him at his word at the time, makes more sense unfortunately. Either that or whatever demons the entertainment world offered up to destroy him, actually did.
I've found that it doesn't pay to have expectations based on what others claim to believe. People will disappoint. And that goes double for celebrity "Christians" and Hollywood Christianity. Maybe I'm too much of a cynic, but I don't think it's healthy to put others on a pedestal, because they are very likely to fall off. When it comes to celebrity Christianity, I hope so, but best to stay your distance and teach your kids to do the same thing.
I agree with your post about not putting people on pedistals! People will let you down. Jesus will never let you down. If in fact BJ Thomas said: "I never claimed to be a Christian" and "there are many paths to God" he is either unsaved or in serios spiritual trouble! He sounds unsaved. I find it interesting that all these stars that are having career trouble all of sudden are christians. Ill pray for BJ Thomas, but he must decide if he is willing to accept Christ gift if salvation!
DeleteI actually love BJ's music. What brought me to this page was curiousity about what I had been hearing about BJ and also read an article in a major newspaper back in the early 1980's. I grew up as a non christian listening to Raindrops and his other hits. Then I became a Christian about this same period, late 70's as Thomas. I went to a Christian Music Festival in which BJ performed. I enjoyed it and got no negative vibes. But later on I started hearing he renounced his Christianity and was calling christians hypocrites. So I appreciate some of the comments above, people with first hand accounts who have heard BJ's own personal testimony. Obviously he has a confused faith. I still love his music. And will be praying for him.
ReplyDeleteYou might feel the same way if, night after night, people were heckling and booing you for just singing the songs you are known for. There's a segment of the church that believes you can't sing about anything but Jesus Christ. There was a time in my life when I was around a lot of people like that. It gave me the impression that Christians don't have boyfriends, girlfriends, they don't go for walks in the park, they don't work as custodians, barbers, cooks, truck drivers - because there's nothing "spiritual" or "religious" about those jobs. Young Christians don't go on dates, because being attracted to someone of the opposite gender is a sin (so it's strange how they go off on gay people...but that's another topic, another day), they just somehow magically find themselves married one day and popping babies out into the world. Gee wiz, there's more to life than just going to church, reading the Bible, and praying all day every day. B.J.'s songs have been a blessing, whether it's Most Of All, Mighty Clouds of Joy, No Love at All, Raindrops, Old Fashioned Love. God gave the man a gift with his singing.
DeleteI was a 3 year old christian baby when my wife and I attended one of his concerts, in Tulsa, Ok.
DeleteWhat I witnessed was a tragic event that made a lasting impression on me. I was both grieved and angered.. I had to repent.
B.J. played his new Christian music. He then gave a bit about his testimony and said he wasn't in church when he met Jesus. And that Jesus acc dr opted him right where he was. He said he was told he didn't have to quit drugs. God would meet you right where you were.
He then turned and said he was going to sing the songs he had where Jesus met him.
I was flabbergasted by what happened next. The "loving family" of began to boo, yell, and became disruptive.
When it settled down a bit, he made the comment that some had come to hear the music they knew, and he was going to proceed.
WHAT A TESTIMONY OF LOVE: NOT! A baby christian, 8still in the entertainment industry, and this is how we help him grow? I witnessed the hyprosicy of a mass religious spirit. I could not believe it.
If I ever se B.J. in person, I am compelled to ask forgiveness for the body.
I do not know where he stands today, but I'm sure that showing of "live" surely effected Him. I find peace in knowing that all things work together to the good who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
I had to repent of my attitude towards the people involved in that response. I can tell I need to revisit my heart on this issue. Please forgive me.
I was a 3 year old christian baby when my wife and I attended one of his concerts, in Tulsa, Ok.
DeleteWhat I witnessed was a tragic event that made a lasting impression on me. I was both grieved and angered.. I had to repent.
B.J. played his new Christian music. He then gave a bit about his testimony and said he wasn't in church when he met Jesus. And that Jesus acc dr opted him right where he was. He said he was told he didn't have to quit drugs. God would meet you right where you were.
He then turned and said he was going to sing the songs he had where Jesus met him.
I was flabbergasted by what happened next. The "loving family" of began to boo, yell, and became disruptive.
When it settled down a bit, he made the comment that some had come to hear the music they knew, and he was going to proceed.
WHAT A TESTIMONY OF LOVE: NOT! A baby christian, 8still in the entertainment industry, and this is how we help him grow? I witnessed the hyprosicy of a mass religious spirit. I could not believe it.
If I ever se B.J. in person, I am compelled to ask forgiveness for the body.
I do not know where he stands today, but I'm sure that showing of "live" surely effected Him. I find peace in knowing that all things work together to the good who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
I had to repent of my attitude towards the people involved in that response. I can tell I need to revisit my heart on this issue. Please forgive me.
I was a 3 year old christian baby when my wife and I attended one of his concerts, in Tulsa, Ok.
DeleteWhat I witnessed was a tragic event that made a lasting impression on me. I was both grieved and angered.. I had to repent.
B.J. played his new Christian music. He then gave a bit about his testimony and said he wasn't in church when he met Jesus. And that Jesus acc dr opted him right where he was. He said he was told he didn't have to quit drugs. God would meet you right where you were.
He then turned and said he was going to sing the songs he had where Jesus met him.
I was flabbergasted by what happened next. The "loving family" of began to boo, yell, and became disruptive.
When it settled down a bit, he made the comment that some had come to hear the music they knew, and he was going to proceed.
WHAT A TESTIMONY OF LOVE: NOT! A baby christian, 8still in the entertainment industry, and this is how we help him grow? I witnessed the hyprosicy of a mass religious spirit. I could not believe it.
If I ever se B.J. in person, I am compelled to ask forgiveness for the body.
I do not know where he stands today, but I'm sure that showing of "live" surely effected Him. I find peace in knowing that all things work together to the good who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
I had to repent of my attitude towards the people involved in that response. I can tell I need to revisit my heart on this issue. Please forgive me.
Ron Fowler....."Young Christians don't go on dates, because being attracted to someone of the opposite gender is a sin."
DeleteThat is NOT true. There is just expectation of behaviour in a relationship. BIG difference.
"so it's strange how they go off on gay people."
Christians just know that The Bible CLEARY states that homosexuality is a SIN. Christians state their faith. That's not "going off" on them.
BJ professed Christ in 2006-2008+...during the "Home Where I Belong" period in his recording career. He gave a testimony at each performance, in those days. I can attest to that, because I was one of his guitarist. He meant what he said, back then. BJ is very honest concerning his life. But as of this date, he has renounced his Christianity. He still states a belief in "God" but proclaims that all roads are simply just different forms of "spirituality"..leading to Him.
ReplyDeleteBJ Thomas now has Stage 4 lung cancer, and asks for your prayers..so I would conclude that he still adheres to some form of spirituality. But one thing is for certain for us all.. Once you cross that threshold of your last breath, you will immediately discover whether you have lived your life as a fool.. or meet a Lord with open arms.
BJ states his current religious beliefs:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.classicbands.com/BJThomasInterview.html
Matthew 7:5 FIRST remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for my Lord and Saviour that I met at 9 years old and for the fact He has been with me as I have taken some detours along my journey. He has never left me or forsaken me. Repentance is a daily part of my walk. I have not achieved perfection, but His perfect plan is working in me. God Bless...
I'm in my early 60s and the song that stuck out for me of Bjt was raindrops keep falling on my head from the 70s never really got into his music,but reading all these comments about him in regards to his faith now that he has gone into eternity i sincerely hope and pray that he did repent and ask Jesus into his heart.john 3v3 unless we are born again we will not enter into GODS KINGDOM pray he didn't denounce Jesus as some claim, Jesus said if you denounce me before man i will denounce you before my father, but who are we to judge where his heart was I'll leave that up to the ultimate judge God creator of Heaven and earth he's the one who will judge him when he left this earth.
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is search the Internet for BJ Thomas's latest comments and he makes it clear he is not a Christian. Personally, after reading a lot of his comments, I think he played the system to sell records. And to keep his wife. I think it was all BS. BS thomas.
ReplyDelete