REVIEWS

CCRB: You were born to a ranching family in Kansas, what was your childhood like?
Candice: My grandparents (on my dad's side) owned a very large working ranch in western Kansas when I was born. My dad helped work the ranch and traveled the rodeo circuit as well. My parents married very young and I arrived not long after. By the time I was 3, both of my grandparents had passed away and my parents were divorcing. My mom took on the awesome responsibility of raising me and my infant brother alone, sometimes working two jobs just to make ends meet. She remarried when I was 5 and we all moved to Dodge City, Kansas, the place I consider my hometown. You know that Brad Paisley song The Man He Didn't Have to Be? It really hits home for me. My mom was doing a great job on her own. I don't ever remember feeling like we were missing out on anything but my step dad sure made the load a lot lighter for her. He had two daughters of his own from a previous marriage, and combined with them and a daughter they would later have together, we had the perfect blended family, long before anyone was using that term! I consider all of them my brothers and sisters and am blessed to have each one of them in my life. My biological dad continued to be in and out of our lives and for several summers we traveled the rodeo circuit with him. Although the rodeo world is now alive with many born-again, spirit filled Christians, that was not the case back then. I saw way more real life than a kid should ever see, and experienced some things that have been painful and difficult to overcome. Thankfully, my mom introduced us to Jesus as small children, and I was always able to count on Him, even though my walk has been less than straight and true at times.

CCRB: Do you think that your upbringing has helped you with your ministry?
Candice: I think it's impossible to truly minister to people without relying on and drawing from your own personal experiences. That is what your heart knows, and having some kind of testimony for Christ, no matter what that is, is what makes us able to minister at all. My music ministry is from my heart, and I'm included in it, which means so is my past, present, and future, good and bad. The good and positive things in my life reveal God's generosity, and the bad, or negative things reveal His grace. My great-grandfather was a Quaker minister, and he once told my mother something that I have carried with me from childhood, ³there are no separate rooms in Heaven for denominations, we're all basically going to the same place.² My ministry carries me to situations and churches of all denominations and I remind myself of this often, there is one true God, and He loves us all!

CCRB: In 1988 you were Miss Kansas. What was that experience like?
Candice: I am grateful for the opportunities that I had during that time in my life. With five kids, and four of us college age at the same time, you can imagine my parents relief when I was able to win a little scholarship money! I competed at the 1989 Miss America Pageant, which was an experience I'll never forget the competition was incredibly intense but not something I was totally prepared for. That even along with my year as Miss Kansas, opened several doors for me to perform and travel. I was able to gain a lot of stage experience, something that's difficult for artists to do sometimes. I have spoken and sung for audiences of every size and type, from small towns in Kansas to huge crowds in Japan and Taiwan. I wouldn't trade that experience, and I don't believe in regrets, but I wish my stand for Christ had been stronger at that time in my life. I had a built, in platform and captive audiences I could have done more for Him.

CCRB: You've appeared in many TV commercials, would we recognize any?
Candice: Many of the commercials I've done were between 5 and 8 years ago, so they're not running anymore, but I did one for Justin Boots that I still see every now and then, usually during the telecast of a rodeo or other western event.

CCRB: You're married. How did you meet your husband?
Candice: It's amazing how God works, isn't it? I have known my husband my entire life. He was actually born on my second birthday (November 17)! His family was living in Kansas as well, and his parents competed on the rodeo circuit. Although we lived on opposite sides of the state, we would see each other occasionally, when I spent time with my dad. In high school, the boy I dated was a friend of his and we would see each other at high school rodeos, but we never pursued anything romantic (after all, he was two years younger than me!) I went to Texas to go to college, and unbeknownst to me, so did he a few years later. On December 31, 1994, I was working as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, and he got on one of my flights. We had a chance to catch up a little and exchange phone numbers. We went out for dinner a week later, and got married ten months later! Our wedding was more like a reunion for our families and friends. Rope (yes, that's his real name) is an awesome man of God, and is making a strong stand in rodeo world. He is one of the top professional steer wrestlers in the country and has qualified for the National Finals for the past five years, I could talk for hours on how blessed I am to have such a wonderful partner in my life, he is a terrific husband, friend and father. We have two beautiful sons, Layton, who is almost three, and Holden who was born in July. We travel together as a family, and we try to coincide Rope's rodeo schedule and my concert schedule as much as possible. Our kids don't know much more than rodeo and church!

CCRB: You live in Texas now, how different is that from Kansas?
Candice: Nothing against my old name state, but they'd have a hard time dragging me out of Texas now! My parents still live up there, and we have the opportunity to visit and experience their weather from time to time, which makes us even more thankful that we live where we do! I love east Texas, the people, the weather, and the strong presence of God here. So many Christian artiest and organizations are based out of this area, Dallas Holm, Paul and Rita Baloche, the headquarters for Mercy Ships, and so many more.

CCRB: What is it like holding concerts at rodeos?
Candice: Much of what I do is centered around rodeo church events. There are several Christian organizations for cowboys, that hold church services for contestants and fans alike. As I mentioned before, the Holy Spirit is really sweeping through the western world, and lives are being changed at an amazing pace. We are so thankful to be a part of what is happening! A typical ²cowboy church³ service includes Christian country music, testimonies from one or more professional rodeo cowboys, and a message, preached by an evangelical minister that was probably a rancher cowboy at some time in his life. They are held in a variety of places, from a meeting room in the coliseum for an indoor rodeo, or in the grandstands or arena itself for an outdoor rodeo. It's also not uncommon to see Bible studies going on behind the chutes or out by the horse trailers.

CCRB: Do you write any of your songs?
Candice: I do write some, and I've committed myself to doing more of that. One of the songs on my album, Fly, Angel, Fly is something I wrote, and I'm working on some more for my next project.

CCRB: Your single Baptism of Jesse Taylor made it into the top of the chart rather fast. Why do you think that happened?
Candice: There was probably no one more surprised than me when the single debuted at #18 on the CCRB. I really had no idea how radio would accept me, as a new artist, or the song, since it was a re-make. But we really tried to do something hip and fun with an old familiar song, and up the charts, although I know some stations were reluctant to play it, due to the fact that Johnny Russell had such a big hit with it. We have really tried to find quality songs and present them in a first-class way. I don't believe in putting out garbage for God! We strive for excellence in all aspects of the ministry (notice the keyword strive) and I feel like radio has appreciated that effort. I was so blessed to meet many of the radio personalities during the CCMA convention, and so encouraged by their hearts for Jesus. This is about so much more than charts and airplay and album sales!

CCRB: Do you have a road story that is special to you?
Candice: Recently I did a concert at a church in Oklahoma City, and I'll occasionally find a kid in the crowd and bring them up on stage with me. This particular night, there was a little guy, probably 10 or 11 years old about half way back, dancing and clapping, and drawing some attention to himself. So, following the old performer rule, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em I pulled him up on stage with me for a while. He was a great sport and the congregation enjoyed him. During the alter call at the end of the evening, he came forward and accepted Jesus with his family. After prayer he hugged me so tightly, and said ³Thank you for introducing me to Jesus². If I never sing another note, I will be grateful for that opportunity, that one night in Oklahoma, the Lord was able to use me as His servant, and a child was able to find Him through what I do.

CCRB: When will you release your next single?
Candice: The next single, titled, Daddy was a Texas Ranger (And My Mama Was an Outlaw) was released this week on Three Point Promotions. It's a fun, up-tempo, salvation story with a great country sound. We enjoy doing it live and I hope radio will enjoy it as well.

-Jon Clarke

Jon is a regular contributor to CCRB

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© February 1, 2000