R.J. Halbert - From DC Talk to Sonic Flood to Kelly Clarkson to writing best selling novels - a wild journey of faith and healing

Andy Chrisman (0:01)

One of the most fascinating husband and wife duos I've ever sat down with, Jason and Rhonda Halbert are my guests today. They write books under the pseudonym RJ. Halbert, but they have a rich history in the golden era of CCM. And I know you'll love the next hour just as much as I did. Before we get started, make sure to hit that subscribe button, leave me a review and go to andychrisman.com to check out my fall touring schedule. I'm going to be out on the road and I would love to meet as many listeners as possible this fall. Hey, thanks for joining me today for another great episode of 1 Degree of Andy.

I'm Andy Chrisman and I'm the host of the 1 Degree of Andy Podcast. In my nearly 40 years on the road touring in Christian Music with the group 4Him, I've met a lot of amazing people who have some remarkable stories to tell. From CCM artists to legendary producers and industry executives to comedians, actors and authors, I've got a Rolodex full of names that you'll recognize, men and women who have made us sing, laugh and cry through the years. And just like you and me, they've had their faith tested along the way. So join me each and every week for stories of hope, significance and a walk down memory lane. This is the 1 Degree of Andy Podcast.

Rhonda and Jason Halbert, it's really nice to meet you guys. And Jason, we were talking before we got rolling that I know we've met each other on our journeys at some point down the road.

Jason Halbert (1:31)

I can't remember where or when, but I'm certain we've crossed the cast.

Andy Chrisman (1:34)

You spend enough time in the industry, you do enough festivals, you do enough GMA events, or you wander around Nashville enough, you're going to pretty much run into and meet everybody. But you guys have a fascinating story and I can't wait to dive into it. So guys, welcome to the 1 Degree of Andy Podcast. It's great to have you today.

Rhonda Halbert (1:51)

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Andy Chrisman (1:53)

Yeah, yeah. So where did you guys meet?

Jason Halbert (1:59)

We're going all the way back, huh?

Rhonda Halbert (2:00)

Children's church.

Andy Chrisman (2:01)

Yeah, no way.

Rhonda Halbert (2:02)

Seriously?

Jason Halbert (2:03)

Six to eight years old, somewhere in there.

Andy Chrisman (2:05)

Wow.

Rhonda Halbert (2:06)

Yeah, so we went to the same church as kids and his mom and my aunt became really close friends when they became single women and they were in the singles group together. And so when I would be hanging out at my cousin's house, Jason and his mom would come over and Jason was scared of all of us girls, so he would stay in the car and listen to music while we were playing sports. And then we started dating in eighth grade and dated most of high school and then got married and we were 18 and 19

Andy Chrisman (2:38)

Wow, no way. Now, I'm going to assume a bunch of on again, off again. I mean, there's no way you just like-

Jason Halbert (2:44)

Not a bunch, just one. One big off again and then back on again.

Andy Chrisman (2:49)

Where was this? What part of the country? Beaumont. Beautiful Beaumont.

Depending on which way the wind's blowing, right?

Rhonda Halbert (2:59)

Exactly. You actually know.

Andy Chrisman (3:03)

I do know.

Jason Halbert (3:03)

Fire and rice mills.

Andy Chrisman (3:05)

Yes, that's right. I grew up in Waco and just had lots of friends down in the Houston area, Lake Jackson and of course Beaumont and of course touring. Yeah.

You know when you're getting close to Beaumont.

Rhonda Halbert (3:19)

Yes, you do.

Andy Chrisman (3:21)

That's great. Texas, grew up in Texas, born and raised there, everything?

Jason Halbert (3:27)

Yes, grew up and actually born in Port Arthur, Nederland, but only you would know that. But we say Beaumont.

We were there until we were 18 and we got married at 18 and 19, and escaped Beaumont for Nashville. Because that's where you go when you grow up listening to Christian music and you look on the back of all the CDs, that's where everything was happening. We stayed there until we were 18 and moved off and came to Nashville.

Andy Chrisman (3:52)

So what would you have been listening to back in those days? Who are your favorite bands?

Jason Halbert (3:55)

Man, we could talk for an hour about this and this is where I'll get kicked. But man, we grew up in the heyday of Christian music. I mean, my first concert ever was Morgan Cryer.