SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery spoke to ChurchLeaders about his latest revelation that he has simply accomplished his first tour as a “saved Christian.” Requested how he got here to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ, Clint stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Oh, man. Sure. Amen. Hallelujah. For actual. He is moved mountains in my life.
“First off, man, simply thanks for having me,” he continued. “Thanks for permitting me to have the chance to glorify God and Jesus Christ, and the way he is labored in my life and the way he is nonetheless working and the way I do not wanna return with out him.
“Simply to again up, fast backstory. My mother and pa have been musicians, devoted Christians. That they had their flaws, however there was all the time a church life once I was a toddler up until teenage years. And my grandfather was a Methodist preacher, my grandmother was a saint of a girl — simply stunning. So there was a basis there within the early starting of a relationship with God and Christ and the Bible and the fundamental tales. In order that was there. That was my reference to God. I all the time acknowledged Jesus Christ, acknowledged every little thing that He did and what little I knew. I believed I knew much more than I did. So quick ahead, that form of sustains me by way of life. I’m going by way of the standard issues the place you pray, you go to church for once in a while, foxhole prayers — simply going by way of the motions in a means. And once I received sober was again in 2007, and I received a stronger reference to God as a result of that individual program that I entered requested me to attach with a better energy. I am, like, ‘Oh, that is straightforward. I’ve a better energy.’ So I’m going by way of it, however I am nonetheless not within the Bible. I am nonetheless not constructing that relationship and what I believed was a relationship.
“I’ve realized by way of my life that God makes use of struggling, particularly with me, and others as nicely,” Clint added. “Struggling is an effective trainer. It is a great way to humble me, places me ready. It was the identical with sobriety. And each time that I am ready, and it may be actually, actually excessive or actually low, however I’ve all the time gone to God. However then I get issues again on monitor and I take it again into self. I take it again and I am operating the present. I am doing this. I am going by way of the prayers, however I am not dedicated to a fellowship in my neighborhood. I am not being of service to others. I am simply form of doing what I believe is the following proper factor. I’m going by way of a extremely main medical well being scare final yr, one which had put me to the place I noticed 4 neurologists, and nobody may inform me precisely what was happening. No buddies or household at that time may assist me as a result of I believed I used to be mainly gonna face one of many worst issues you would face when it comes to illness, neurological points. So I used to be at a spot in my life the place I surrendered all of it to God and Christ. I instantly began studying the Bible. I’ve a pastor that lives 4 homes down from me. Satirically, I used to be on my deck and I spent a whole lot of time on my deck simply staring off and pleading and making an attempt to get this relationship going. And he was engaged on a deck a few homes down. And he is, like, ‘Hey.’ His title’s Jody. He is, like, ‘Give up that stinking pondering.’ And I had met Jody. Jody‘s a terrific man. We weren’t actually that tight earlier than all this, however we would see one another on a regular basis and had nice conversations. He is about my age too. And I’m going down there and begin speaking to him, go into what I am going by way of. And, mainly, he simply guides me by way of my simply form of coming to phrases and requested me if I used to be saved. And I could not reply the query. And once I actually appeared internally, I used to be, like, ‘I have never.’ And he defined to me what that meant, and with my complete coronary heart and my complete thoughts, giving it to Jesus Christ, acknowledging that he walked the Earth, acknowledging that he’s my savior, that he had died on the cross, that he was resurrected, all of these items.
“I have been speaking to my kids about being baptized, ‘trigger we have additionally launched them to church and issues like that. So proper there within the yard with him, I put my flag down and my dedication and giving myself to Christ,” Clint stated. “I went residence and had an extra prayer. My notion was, ‘Oh, you’ve got gotta go get baptized.’ And he made it very clear that baptism is a good public show of your devotion and your relationship and your journey, however the true factor begins with you and Jesus Christ, you giving your self and also you giving that up. So instantly then, it was that, and it was nostril into the Bible, studying the scriptures, Bible research, simply discovering mentors, getting those who have walked the street longer than I’ve to only assist me perceive the scriptures in a means that applies that I may perceive. And even once I’m studying it, a whole lot of instances, typically a few of it is complicated, a few of it is a bit over my head, however once I’m within the phrase, the solutions, the concern began lifting, the anxiousness that began lifting. And I simply began actually having these connections. I began seeing my encounters with different folks change.
“I had this preconceived notion that I wanted to go instantly, begin doing good works, good works — let me go give some charity, let me attempt to simply placed on a smiley face for as many individuals as potential. And I noticed by way of the scripture and thru the readings that it wasn’t concerning the good works. ‘Trigger I nonetheless thought I had a terminal sickness. However I used to be nonetheless in my religion and I had discovered aid there. So I used to be simply coming to phrases with it. I nonetheless had some checks pending, and this and that. I am making an attempt to do all these good issues, and I noticed that it is not concerning the good works. It is concerning the relationship and the grace that Jesus Christ, that he had died for us. He is already paid that, he is already performed that. So doing the nice works is a good factor — goodwill, loving thy neighbor, that is superb and that’s completely what we’re put right here to do — however it was extra about simply realizing I’m a sinner. I’ve no management over what I’ve performed. All I do know is I am giving myself to him now, and that does require some adjustments, some sacrifices and a few motion. However on the finish of the day, no good works is simply gonna earn me in. It is simply I want to remain in religion. I want to know that he’s my savior, that once I do do sin, which I’ll, I repent after which I attempt to develop. And that is what I am doing, man. And I have been thirsty for it. And each alternative I get to speak about it, I do.”
Relating to how the touring life had modified for him after he received “saved”, Clint stated: “I am actually shut with the [other] guys [in SEVENDUST], clearly. We have been collectively so a few years. They knew of all of the well being stuff that was happening. And once I’d gotten saved, I might have just a few conversations with ’em, however they’d form of pulled again a bit bit from me, which was one other factor. It was like God was taking folks and form of, in my thoughts, shifting them away. Folks I believed have been gonna keep and speak to me and assist me and all that, everybody form of pulled away ‘trigger there was nothing that anybody may say. So, by way of that I actually constructed my relationship. Going into it after which speaking to my pastor and speaking about, how am I gonna enter re-enter this world? When you look from the surface, a few of the messages within the previous songs, they’re not likely aligned with a few of the beliefs I’ve in the present day. However I do imagine that there’s a purpose that every one of this occurred.
“I do know my guys [in SEVENDUST] are good guys,” Clint continued. “They’re sinners and so they made errors. I used to be one of many worst of ’em. So I simply used the chance to take my relationship, taking that to the tour, taking my attitudes towards others, my endurance degree, my kindness degree. They did not really feel a crucial spirit for me, which I am certain at first they have been, like, ‘Man, he is gonna are available Bible thumping on us’ and all this. And it was the other, truly.
“All of us have these little boundaries typically,” Lowery added. “We’re round one another rather a lot. There might be tensions and there might be all these various things. And I simply attempt to soften by way of ’em as a lot as potential, and that required eliminating a few of my ego, a few of my fears, being courteous and thoughtful once I may, being quiet once I wanted to be quiet. I need not gossip and take part. You may get detrimental actually fast on tour. And I simply tried to be a light-weight, I attempted to be a bit bit extra optimistic, however I by no means tried to face on a cleaning soap field or preach to anyone. However Lajon [Witherspoon, SEVENDUST singer] requested me to steer a few the prayers earlier than the exhibits, and that was an honor as a result of I actually felt for him to ask me to try this was him acknowledging that he noticed that I used to be on my journey and by myself time and my very own means. It was only a actually cool factor. And so nothing actually modified on the market besides my notion of it and the way in which I responded to it. And it made it a greater and extra peaceable tour, regardless of nonetheless going by way of some bizarre bodily stuff.
“Somebody instructed me one time, you possibly can’t have fear and concern and religion on the identical time. You possibly can’t be concerned after which be primarily based in religion on the identical time. You need to have some give up to it. And, in fact, there’s gonna be fears and various things like that, however once they’re overriding. As a substitute of worrying, I may pray. As a substitute of soaking in my very own stuff, I may assist another person and get out of it. I’ve these instruments that the Bible provides us all.”
Elaborating on how his relationship along with his SEVENDUST bandmates advanced on account of his religion, Clint stated: “I do know that it takes time for these issues, ‘trigger everybody can undergo a bit little bit of a pink cloud excessive second after which crash down. I did it in sobriety, and I am cautious of it in my religion journey. I am certain the primary few days they have been simply form of, like, ‘Let’s simply see what pans out.’ I imply, they have been very supportive of something that was gonna give me aid primarily based on what I used to be going by way of. They usually noticed it work and so they noticed that I had this concern that was all-consuming, simply overwhelming, and so they noticed me not have that. They usually noticed that I give myself to God and Christ. They usually [thought], ‘Nicely, that is nice for you.’ After which we went on the market on tour. They have been absolutely supportive. Nobody ever actually acknowledged it verbally. They simply form of gave love and it was cool. And I believe they understood. Like I stated, Lajon allowed me to do a few the prayers. And in order that was cool. That was their means of claiming, ‘Okay, you are in your journey and we respect it.’ And hopefully there’s conversations that may open up. Every so often we would get right into a dialog the place I might consult with the Bible, I might consult with issues like that. We might have little — not debates, however they’d discuss it in sure methods. And I am, like, ‘Nicely, primarily based on what I noticed…’ And I had this information. I had performed just a few programs, I knew a bit bit concerning the Bible’s historical past, the manuscripts, what number of have been preserved, and I had some data lastly. And that felt nice, that I had one thing to face on, when it comes to I’ve religion and this is the reason.”
Addressing the criticism he has acquired from some SEVENDUST followers for publicly talking about his religion, Clint stated: “I am very cautious about being boastful about something, about saying issues in a means the place it is only for clout. I used to be all the time skeptical about that. I used to be a really cynical particular person earlier than and nonetheless have these tendencies that I work on day-after-day. However I have seen folks say that. And other people will be actually harsh towards Christianity. I knew that going into this that there have been gonna be those who fall off, there have been gonna be those who go at me fairly laborious, assault. I imply, Jesus Christ was attacked tougher than anybody. Not that I am in any class like that, however simply in Christianity, a few of the downfall has been the human ingredient. There are those who proclaim to be Christian that don’t stay that Christian life. And other people might even see me persevering with with the band and say, ‘Oh, there’s hypocrisy in that.’ And the way in which that I see it’s that I may keep residence and keep in my neighborhood church and be round some stability and all these issues and simply write worship songs, which is one thing I completely wanna do and I will do. However I believe there’s work to be performed.
“I believe when Head [guitarist Brian Welch] went again to KORN [after publicly embracing Christianity eight years earlier], his template was a type of that I used. I bear in mind pondering, ‘Man, if I ever did that…’ And I truly talked to him a bit bit about it and it was form of the identical means that I really feel. It is, lik,e there’s work to be performed there. There’s alternatives there. The those who I’ve bumped into — I’ve had prayers in entrance of my bus with folks. I’ve had folks which can be so joyful that I’ve boldly form of come out with it as a substitute of simply conserving it form of ambiguous. And now I can have these superb conversations with folks. I exploit the music and that scenario as a means, ‘trigger we are sending like to folks. It is not like we’re giving some message that’s anti-religion or anti-God or anti-Christian. It’s simply a few of the previous anger, all these songs are there. However there is a spirit of affection within the room. I really feel it with the folks. It is how I make my livelihood, however I do additionally see it as a chance. Now if I proceed to wish on it and God does need me in a unique place, then I’ll observe that. And imagine me, I pray about it day-after-day, ‘trigger I used to be battling it. I used to be, like, do I wanna be round that setting on a regular basis? And am I simply chasing the cash or the model that’s SEVENDUST? Am I simply staying with that? How dedicated am I to this? And that is the questions that I ask and I pray about on a regular basis. And I really feel like God nonetheless sees me on this position with these guys. And we have had some main religious moments collectively as a band, as folks. And I like being round that. And I do — I see it as a chance. And persons are gonna say what they wanna say, and once more, my relationship with Christ is what holds me. And if I paid consideration to everyone and what they really feel about it, then that will [end up] being an excessive amount of of a burden to bear and never value it.”
Lowery turned sober practically 18 years in the past after being arrested on the Hodokvas pageant in Piestany, Slovakia following what was described as a “wild drunken evening” that resulted within the musician trashing his room. On the time, Lowery was on tour with KORN because the latter band’s backing/session guitarist. A day following Lowery‘s arrest, he was launched from police custody after apologizing and paying for the damages. He later launched an announcement explaining that he was “being a lil’ rowdy and loud” in his lodge and acknowledging that he “pulled some Rock 101 stuff.” He added that he was “not pleased with it in any respect” and claimed that the whole episode was “scary sufficient” to the place he knew he would by no means be doing something like that “ever once more.”
When Clint celebrated the seventeenth yr of his getting sober final October, he took to his social media to put in writing: “Fast story….After I received sober, the primary week was a blur to say the least. I entered a remedy middle just a few days after getting fired from my employed gun position in KORN. One of many many bottoms I hit that have been enough sufficient to be keen to get sober and keep sober a day at a time. I used to be in a holding sample for just a few days ready to get accepted into the remedy middle and people days have been foggy.
“I’ve all the time had a sobriety date of October twenty fourth. However doing a real intestine test and making an attempt laborious to recollect the true date (which has all the time bugged me),this being an trustworthy deal, I’ve to say my true sobriety date is October twenty seventh, 2007 and God keen…I am going to make it to tomorrow and not using a drink or drug.
“For years I’ve wrestled with that. Feels like no large deal, proper? Nicely, for me, these lil untruths aren’t good…in any respect. For me and particularly for God. So just a few days completely different I am much more grateful getting into one other yr with that adjustment within the title of reality to self and a God I must repent to.
“This yr has undoubtedly been the toughest in my sobriety coping with life on life’s phrases…however the true miracle is I have never considered taking a drink. That is a God factor…not a me factor. So earlier than you’ve any atta boys I give credit score to him. I publish this additionally for the alcoholic on the market making an attempt to get sober. It may occur for you if it occurred for me belief me
“I lately gave my life to Jesus Christ and that has introduced me true consolation by way of the robust instances. For me. I am not right here to inform anybody tips on how to stay their life and I used to be actually one of many individuals who did not like that pushed on me, I simply encourage folks to open their minds and hearts to him. It helped an previous nation dude discover peace in true chaos and uncertainty.”
SEVENDUST and THREE DAYS GRACE lately accomplished a North American tour because the help acts for DISTURBED on the latter act’s “The Illness twenty fifth Anniversary Tour”.
SEVENDUST is constant to tour in help of its newest album, “Fact Killer”, which was launched in July 2023 by way of SEVENDUST‘s new label residence, Napalm Data.
The follow-up to 2020’s “Blood & Stone”, “Fact Killer” was as soon as once more tracked at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette, who has beforehand labored with ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, amongst others.
“Fact Killer” showcased the unique and present SEVENDUST lineup, comprised of singer Lajon Witherspoon, guitarists Lowery and John Connolly, bassist Vince Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose.
Final fall, SEVENDUST celebrated the twenty first anniversary of its iconic album “Seasons” on a U.S. tour. “Seasons” is the fourth album from the band’s catalog and exploded on to the metallic world when it was launched in October 2003. The album spawned a High 10 Rock single with “Enemy” and the album nearer “Face To Face” is a present staple and fan favourite of SEVENDUST to at the present time.
“Seasons” was, for a time, the band’s final album with Lowery as he left in 2004. Lowery returned to SEVENDUST in March 2008 and has remained with the group ever since.
