AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Way

Artist:The Way

Song:You're Caught in a Way

Album:The Way

Back in the early days of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) or as it was derisively called back then, Jesus Music, it was difficult for bands to find churches who would allow them to perform. Never mind signing with a record label and recording an album. The Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA was one of the few places that encouraged Christian rock bands. Chuck Girard was assistant pastor and he was in the very first Christian rock band called Love Song. And he later went on to have success as a solo artist. The Way was formed at Calvary Chapel in 1971. They signed with Maranatha! and released the album The Way in 1973. In those days, the Christian labels didn't know what to do with rock groups. And Maranatha! was probably worse because they mainly released easy listening music for an older audience. But somebody convinced them to release The Way. The band was Dana Angle, John Wickham, Bruce Herring and Gary Arthur. They all seemed to play guitar and bass. And they all sang and wrote songs. Alex MacDougall was the drummer. He joined The Way as a member after this album was released. Dana Angle was the main songwriter. He wrote You're Caught in a Way with John Wickham. Bruce Herring sang lead and Angle played the guitar solo. The music was soft country rock similar to America. This album is available as a digital download. For their 1974 album Can It Be?, The Way went for a harder rock sound. They brought in Al Perkins to produce. The change was likely his idea. Perkins is best known as pedal steel guitarist for The Flying Burrito Brothers. They split up after that and most of the band left the music business. MacDougall was in the successful CCM band Daniel Amos. It looks like The Way got tired of being on the road all the time and they weren't making money. Of course Christian music was still in its early days and The Way never benefitted from the CCM boom of the 80s. Here's The Way performing You're Caught in a Way at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA 1974.