Prodigal son returns
Christian artist Michael English back on tour

By STEVE HOFFMAN
Farmer City Journal
(Feb. 20, 2008)

FARMER CITY - A little over a decade ago, when crews from the tabloid television show A Current Affair finally tracked down troubled musician Michael English, they asked him what he wanted out of life. 'I wanted my hope back,' he told them. That hope has returned as the talented singer gets ready to release a new CD and tour with Avalon, Cadia and the Daniel Doss Band in WorldVision's We Will Stand tour.
English has also released an autobiography entitled The Prodigal Comes Home, which is a frank telling of his struggles with drug abuse and near-homelessness. After years at the top of the Christian music industry, English' fall began in 1994 at the peak of his popularity, and got so low that he began selling tour jackets on e-Bay for drug money. Now seven years out of a rehab, English is back on the road with some new stories to tell. The main one is a little thing he has learned called hope. 'When you have people who grew up in a church, and backslide, and fall away from God, they can feel as hopeless as ever. You feel you've failed God, and failed the Christian church, and a lot of people give up,' said English. 'I want those people to know there's still a place at God's table for them.' English will share his testimony as well as his dynamic vocal range at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at a free concert at Trinity Community Fellowship in Farmer City.

Back from the hard times In 1994, English was one the Christian music industry's top artists, having swept the Dove awards, including Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He had signature songs that included Mary Did You Know and In Christ Alone. Just one week after that high point, he confessed to an extra-marital affair and returned his awards. For a man who was bigger than life in the music industry " and not just for his 6'4' frame " it was the start of a devastating fall. Shortly after his confession, he left The Gaither Vocal Band and saw his music blacklisted by many Christian radio stations and record stores. It wasn't long before English fell into prescription drug use and addiction, followed by a period where he had no home of his own and just wandered around staying with others. But a moment with God while lying on someone else's couch got his attention and turned his life around. It was in 2000, and he describes an out-of-body experience that got his attention. 'I began to rise up above myself, and could see what was going on below me. But I could see myself (on the couch),' he said. 'And then I heard two questions, and the first question was "is this the way you want it to end?' And the second question was "is this the way you want Megan to remember you?'' Megan is English' daughter from his first marriage. 'I can't really explain anything except that I know it was God giving me a chance to come home.' And that is what Michael did, as he got on his knees, asked for forgiveness, and started to get his life together. What followed was a stint in rehab, with English calling detox 'one of the hardest things I've ever been through,' and the singer starting his comeback. And though he would not want to repeat those seven years in the mid- and late-1990's again, he says it has equipped him better to minister to others. 'I love to say in my concerts, "Michael English once had an impeccable resume. I could get any job, could get in anywhere I wanted to.' But look at things today. My resume is rotten, it's absolutely horrendous. 'But I'm more equipped for this job than I've ever been in my life.' English describes himself as "shy,' but when it comes to discussion on overcoming drug abuse, he says 'I'll be the first to get in the middle of the conversation.'

Prodigal comes home
The Prodigal Comes Home will be released Feb. 26, and includes a song he first ran across 7-8 years ago. It is simply called 'The Prodigal.'
'I wasn't ready to sing it the time,' he commented. When he felt ready to record his latest Christian CD, he played it for his wife Marcie, who 'was adamant about my recording it.' These days? Life is actually simpler than in the past, as English is starting to tour but spends plenty of time with Marcie and their three-year old daughter, Issabella Grace, named after English' mother. They live in Spring Hill, a bustling burb outside of Nashville, Tenn. The story he shares is pretty simple as well. Just as with the Biblical prodigal son, his is about redemption. And that is the story he is striving to share to anyone who will listen. 'No matter what, no matter how deep you go, no matter how many wrong turns you make, no matter how many wrong things you do, God still loves you. He loves you no matter what,' said English. Meanwhile, English, now 45, is more careful about fame, and feels that despite penning his story, 'there are still chapters to be written' in the book and in his life. Additional information on Michael English and upcoming tour dates can be found at his website, michaelenglishmusic.com, or his MySpace site at www.myspace.com/michaelenglishmusic