Antonio Neal Interview (2005) - Articles

Antonio Neal Interview

Antonio Neal has been in the industry for a while. He has been behind the scenes as a writer and studio session singer, and he’s also done independent work. Now signed to EMI Gospel as a solo artist, his impressive debut, Days of My Life showcases his gift not only as an artist, but as man with ministry. Antonio Neal spoke with GOSPELflava.com about his mission, his family, his work as a writer, collaborating with producer Tedd T and other interesting topics.

GOSPELflava.com: What prompted you to make that jump from writer to artist?

Antonio Neal: I never made a jump, because I’ve been doing it all along. I did make a jump to a major label, because I did independent stuff before. I had been trying to get an opportunity with EMI or a label of that calibre, but it never panned out until recently when [EMI Gospel head] Ken Pennell made an effort to complete the deal. This is something that I have been trying to do for so long, but my songs went before me.

GOSPELflava.com: How has your work as a studio background singer prepared you for your ministry as an artist?

Antonio Neal: Immensely. I feel like I went through a boot camp. It’s almost like a cat going from high school to the NBA —you might be able to shoot and jump, but there are college moves and then there are NBA moves. I have been taught how to go from being an amateur to really going in with my focus. I’ve been doing it for so long and God has been preparing me. I look at it as if God allowed me to go to school, so when I go out, people won’t say, “it’s his first record. It doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing.” God allowed me to sit in with people like Todd Collins, which has helped me beyond just coming in the game. Now I am producing for other people and arranging for other people.

GOSPELflava.com: What made you choose EMI Gospel as your record label?

Antonio Neal: I don’t think I chose them. I wish I could say that they wanted my talent that bad, and I had my choice! It was a God thing. Three years ago, I met Ken Pennell and Karen Scott of EMI. I believe that we all love each other, and it blossomed into a real relationship. They really believe in what I have to say. The core of my ministry is geared towards fathers and families. They really believe in that, and they believe in me as a person. They are actually interested in me, they want to know if I am feeding my family, so it goes beyond music. Those are the people that you want to work with. They are concerned and committed to you as a human being. That’s the reason that I stayed and wanted to work with Ken Pennell through all the legal stuff.

Days Of My Life

"Jesus Will" is maybe the pick of the album, with its infectious chorus and beds of layered harmonies bringing you into the piece. Antonio Neal explains that Jesus can and will heal all of your hurt, making things 'brand new', singing.... Full Review

GOSPELflava.com: What was it like working with Tedd T., who is known primarily for his work in the Christian pop side of things, with artists such as Rebecca St. James, Stacie Orrico, ZOEgirl and Avalon?

Antonio Neal: I was around Nashville and met a lot of people. It kind of started as a writing thing. We were working on the Stacie Orrico CD, I was in the studio singing and doing demos, and he saw what was in me. He was one of the first in Nashville to put his money where his mouth was, and say, “Man I want to see if something can come of this.” I signed to his production company before I signed with EMI, and we begin working on a record back in 2001. A lot of the songs from my album were done in 2002 and 2003. But we had to find a home for the album. Tedd came in through Eddie DeGarmo and through networking with different people in Nashville.

GOSPELflava.com: What is your mission for this album, Days of My Life?

Antonio Neal: The Bible says in Psalms 23, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” Really the mission is to show people, whether they are a believer or not, the lifestyle, thought patterns and concerns of a young believer. So much Gospel music is for Sunday morning, and it is all about the “shout”. I am like, “What’s going on in the world?” Most Gospel artists who are married do not talk about it. They don’t say anything about their kids. They act like they are in church all of the time. I am not. I am at home dealing with bills. I am dealing with my wife and kids. I want to be a great husband and father. I have issues. I am dealing with what’s going on. I think that some people shun traditional Gospel artists because we don’t share our lives. They sing, “Got a problem you are going through? Take it to Jesus.” Many people are saying, “You relate that to me.”

Antonio Neal

My song, “So Good” talks about that. I did not want to wear the choir robe. I did not want to go to some of the church functions that other cats went to. I felt like I didn’t fit in. I was like, “Where are the folks that look like me, talk like me and act like me?” God showed me how big the kingdom of God is. It’s not about this church or that church. There was a place for me in the kingdom. I got a real relationship with Christ. He became real to me.

“You Don’t Know” talks about how God takes me out of a situation of pride. “Days of My Life” talks about my wife and my children. “Life Worth Living” is about a person who feels like their life isn’t worth nothin’. They have thoughts of depression and thoughts of suicide. “So Beautiful”, any man that has a daughter would like to say something to her. People are hurting. I know one solution. That’s Jesus. If anyone can, He can. That’s what the record is about. I am trying to encourage people.

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— interview by Dwayne Lacy —