Southern rock group Rhett Walker Band debuts on Essential Records (Provident Distribution) in July 2012 with Come to the River. The band is led by the son of a preacher who has outgrown his teen rebellion and come into his own as a family man who sings of the grace that saved him.

This is your debut in the Christian market, so our readers will want to get acquainted with you. Would you share some of your story with us?

I’m just a sinner singing about grace. I’m blessed with a beautiful wife and two children, with one on the way, who have walked this journey with me every step of the way. The three main things that make up who I am are faith, family and country. These are the three most important things in my life, things that echo throughout this entire album. See, I’ve lived a lot of life in some very short years.  I’ve realized nothing is as amazing as God's love and mercy, and that’s what I wanted to write about. Life songs. Songs written about not only the stress and pains of life that we face every day, but songs written about His mercy that we don’t deserve, yet He so freely gives, and it is what I respect and honor. Come to the River is me. It's made up of songs that tell my story.

How did you settle in on Southern rock as your style of music?

There wasn’t any settling. It’s just what came natural. It’s just who I am.

Tell us about the single "When Mercy Found Me." 

This song is my story. My dad is a pastor, and even though I grew up in the church, I was living how I wanted to live. I say in the song "Living my life so wild and free”—that’s exactly what I was doing. When things started crashing down around me, I found out my way wasn't the best way. That’s when mercy found me. I realized there is something bigger and better for me, but I can't do it alone.

What are some of the other lead songs on this disc?

"Come to the River" and "Gonna Be Alright." These are two other songs that I love and can’t wait for people to hear.

Do you have a favorite tune here?

That’s a hard question. I love different parts of each individual song. If I had to pick, it would be "Can’t Break Me." It’s my theme song. I know what I am called to do, and I’m gonna do it. There ain’t nothing that can stop me.

Your band worked with some top studio players for this album. Who were they and how did that come about?

I started writing with and getting to know Paul Moak (producer) and just building a relationship with him. I felt like the record needed to be done with Moak. The short time I’ve been able to know him, things just lined up and the pieces just fit. I wanted to track it live, get in a room with a band and hit “record” and go at it. We already had the vibe and producer; we just had to fill in some spots with players. Kenny Davis (drums) and Joe Kane (guitar), who play with me out on the road, were a definite. Paul Moak had a bass player and guitar player in mind that he thought would be a great fit, and they were. Tony Lucido played bass on the record, and Jerry McPherson played guitar. These two guys have been a part of numerous great records. It was amazing to have them be a part of mine. It was a fun time in the studio. 

What touring do you have planned in support of this release?

This summer starts a lot of festivals—LifeFest, Ichthus, World Pulse Festival, Rock the Desert, to name a few. Then this fall, we are headed out on tour with Kutless and Fireflight. Make sure to check www.rhettwalkerband.com and/or www.facebook.com/rhettwalkerband for dates and info.

What are your hopes for this album?

That people hear it and they see a story that they can resonate with. When I wrote this album, I never started writing just to fill a rhyme scheme or to throw around a couple clichés and go home. I wanted to be honest. I wanted to share my story, my life and who I know Christ to be.

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