Paul
Colman solo biography
PAUL COLMAN - LET IT GO
Let It Go, the fourth international solo release from former
Paul Colman Trio (PC3) frontman Paul Colman, represents the artist's
deepest expression of faith yet. It's a statement of profound surrender
to God's leading and a celebration of reliance on His provision. After
touring widely in the United States, Europe and Australia last year,
Let It Go is Colman's first solo effort in seven years.
The charismatic performer created Let It Go after experiencing
an extraordinary year of soul searching. "This
record is about letting go of the siren of fame and coming home to what
really counts. For me, that's family. I had to let everything, including
the music, come from that," the husband and father of two
daughters explains.
In early 2004, taking stock of thoughts stirring his heart, Colman
announced plans to pursue a solo career. For five years preceding the
decision, his namesake power pop/rock band had released four albums
(two of them stateside with Essential Records) and two live projects.
Paul Colman Trio, which had gathered accolades including a 2003 Grammy
nomination, two Dove Awards and its own headlining tour, was folding.
"That season was simply over for me, and
it was financially impossible for us to continue," Colman
explains, though speaking highly of his former bandmates. "I
just wanted to do something different. I wanted flexibility because
there is much more to me than being the singer of a band,"
he says.
The decision meant Colman would return to his roots as a solo act.
Prior to his heading Paul Colman Trio, Colman toured all over the globe
and released three independent albums. "I
love the freedom that comes with being a solo artist," he
says. "It allows me to turn up with an acoustic
guitar or a band, or to write a book or do a play."
Committed to seeking label support for his solo efforts, Paul's self-described
ability to "make things happen" drove him to hire a publicist
and canvass the scene at Gospel Music Week 2004. On the conference's
last day, just hours before the Dove Awards, Colman felt unsettled.
He gave away his ticket to the evening's ceremonies and called his wife.
"I'm coming home," he said. The
next morning, Paul penned the song of the same title from Let It
Go, which he considers one of his favorites.
"When I took stock of everything I had been
doing, I looked at all the doors I'd been through and couldn't determine
which ones I'd broken down and which ones God had opened. I just didn't
know," Colman shares. "I felt
like God was saying, 'Let it go. Be who you are in Me. Stop being driven,
controlling and fearful. Let your life go in My hands.' I discovered
I needed to slow down and listen for God's directive voice instead of
my own," he says.
Colman continues, "I felt like God was saying,
'Go back to your family and you'll find the songs. I am where the songs
are. Your family is where I am first in your life.'" Everything
else-including his career-would follow from there.
Colman drew into his family and his Creator, and there he found the
inspiration for Let It Go. The singer/songwriter eventually signed
with Inpop Records, which tapped producers Ed Cash (Bebo Norman, Bethany
Dillon) and Vince Emmett (Rebecca St. James) to help nurture Colman's
new vision. Sonically, Let It Go is reminiscent of Colman's band
days with PC3. The new album combines elements of Colman's dynamic live
show, as well as the intimacy only a solo performer could bring.
Colman's song craft on the record was sharpened through a rich collaborative
process with peers he calls "songwriting experts," including
producer Cash, Randall Waller (Shania Twain), newsboys frontman Peter
Furler, Reuben Morgan (Hillsongs) and Jason Ingram (Sonicflood's "Resonate").
The opportunity to co-write was part of relinquishing control, Colman
says. "I was letting go of what I thought
'great' might be and opened up my life stories to other people,"
Colman says.
The album's cornerstone song, "I Owe It All," stems from
Colman's transformational experience and celebrates Jesus' gift of grace.
Others, like "Symphony Of The Redeemed" and "Holding
Onto You" celebrate God's mercy. "Gloria," the record's
first single, forms an image of God's good creation, and "I'm Coming
Home" is a simple love song rejoicing in the gift of family.
"When you're doing what you're most passionate
about, you're more connected to who you are at your core. That's how
I felt when I started in music," says Colman. "I
think the passion is really there again," he says, "and
I think this is the record that best showcases who I am. It's more connected
because I got back to God."
