Musician Doubles as Rocker and Pastor

Caspar McCloud, who has been a satisfied Georgia resident for 12 years, began intense musical training early in his life. Studying classical guitar during his childhood, McCloud developed serious skills on his instrument of choice. He knew instinctively that he was made for playing music.

“I do not think I had much choice in the matter, there are certain things each of us are very much attracted to that is built into our DNA and from my earliest memories I knew I had to become a musician and artist,” McCloud said.

An advocate of early musical studies, McCloud said there is a cause and effect link between music-making and higher brain function.

“The study of music actually benefits a person with enhanced spatial and enhanced reasoning skills, so that basically translates into better performances in math and science and that sort of thing. Then you also have things like problem-solving skills, self-esteem and self-expression which develop with performing,” he explained.

McCloud's love for music goes beyond improving his higher brain functions. He sees music as a powerful force and a temporary escape and knows he was made for performing. Though he often struggled with performing at first, he was relieved of his butterflies and stage fright the moment he stepped in front of an audience.

“There is a certain energy that happens between a performer and audience that can be a wonderful experience.”

McCloud continued his classical studies at music conservatories and then double-majored in Fine Arts. His disciplined efforts in music were recognized when he was signed at a young age.

“I really mostly attended the school of hard knocks, after I fell into the world of rock music which eventually landed me several recording contracts in my youth starting with Rock Steady Records in England and then later signing with Atlantic Records,” McCloud said.

Atlantic Records CEO Amhet Ertegun also produced infamous musical acts Led Zepplin, The Rolling Stones, Yes and Eric Clapton. McCloud's full story of his journey into the rock and roll world is laid out in his first book titled Nothing is Impossible.

McCloud's mentor, Phil Keaggy, led him into the Christian faith, and McCloud said he is eternally grateful.

“Phil Keaggy really was my role model. His been like my big brother since I was a teenager, and I am taller. Phil thinks its because he drinks coffee, and I drink tea.”

McCloud's musical style is a mix of classical, rock, celtic and world music. He said he is influenced by Beethoven, Bach, Phil Keaggy, Christopher Parkening and Eric Johnson. McCloud admits that his style has evolved over time.

“When I first started out, I was pretty much doing the sort of rock/pop thing, and my audiences seemed to be mostly teenaged females. Then as I improved, I started playing to more of the college-age crowds. It also seemed that my music attracted many musicians. Somewhere along the way I decided I was not going to play unless I played for the glory of the Lord,” McCloud explained.

His music impresses even Cliff Williams of AC/DC, who told McCloud that he was the Christian version of Led Zepplin after listening to a recording of McCloud's. 

 McCloud's songs, such as “In Adoration” and “Voice of the Lord” are meant to spread his love of God to all who listen.

“I pray and then I play; most of my songs come from an experience that is best modeled into a song rather than any other mode of expression. You can sometimes say something profound in a song you could not really say any other way in this world.”

McCloud recently played at Woodstock's new coffeehouse, Copper Coin. He said he enjoyed the freedom to improvise and express himself that the local coffeehouse provided. He played his new single, “Dancing in the Rain” and received so much encouragement from Sandy Serge of Serge Entertainment that he decided to record the track immediately.

Copper Coin isn't the only thing McCloud enjoys about Woodstock. He also said this downtown train community is a wonderful place to raise a family, especially one involving dogs, cats and horses.

“Did I mention I live on a horse farm? You know, if more people rode horses like me this world would be a whole lot more stabilized,” McCloud said.

Alongside McCloud's impressive musical credentials, he also currently pastors a church based out of Canton. Caspar McCloud Ministries is located in the Upper Room Fellowship of the Church of the Messiah.

“Starting at noon every Sunday there will be original music and teaching in a more excellent way.”

His literary work includes a book titled What Was I Thinking? which was co-authored by Linda Lange. This book explains how thoughts create chemical reactions in the body and what the thinkers can do about them.

“We have been receiving some wonderful testimonies from people who have read What Was I Thinking? who are being healed and getting free from all sorts of issues.”

McCloud has several records available on iTunes with his band The Ministry of Three. He plans to release some new records later this year with his band, as well as some musical solo experiments.

He encourages others to be watchful of the music they allow their ears to hear, saying that everything affects us in some way. 

"How many times do we hear someone say, 'but I don’t listen to the words I just like the music.' But they are allowing their world's perceptions to be altered this way by lack of discernment and recognition."