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{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Kevin Max
|Img = Kevin_Max.jpg
|Img_size =
|Background = solo_singer
|Birth_name = Kevin Max Smith
|Born = {{Birth date and age|1967|8|17}}
|Origin = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]], [[United States|USA]]
|Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Alternative Rock]]
|Years_active = Late 1980's–Present
|Associated_acts = [[dc Talk]]
}}
'''Kevin Max''' (born [[August 17]], [[1967]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[singer]], [[songwriter]], and [[poet]]. He is best known for being the lead singer of the [[Christian]] rock group [[dc Talk]].
==Biography==
===Early years===
His birth name is ''Kevin Max Smith'', but he legally shortened it to "Kevin Max" in [[1997]], citing that there were probably too many Smiths already in the world. Kevin was himself adopted by the Smith family and grew up in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]]. Another reason behind changing his name might be because his adoptive brother was named [[Max]]. [[Kevin]] showed incredible vocal and musical talent early in his life and his talent grew while at Grand Rapids Baptist High School and later at [[Cornerstone University]].
===dc Talk===
Later, at [[Liberty University]], he met fellow [[dc Talk]] friends: [[Toby McKeehan]] and [[Michael Tait]]. Together they formed [[dc Talk]] and went on to achieve great success in both [[Christian]] and mainstream music. The band went on to win four [[Grammy]], 16 [[Dove Awards]], and other recognitions. However, they decided to take an extended "intermission" in [[2000]].
===Spirituality===
In recent years, Kevin Max has attempted to create a name for himself apart from [[dc Talk]]. While he does not shy away from vocally defending his [[Christian]] faith, he has expressed a desire to create art with a universal appeal. He insists, "My music is for a [[Christian]] and a [[Buddhist]] to pick up and still enjoy, as well as for an [[atheist]]. But it is there to prod and ask some questions: What's my worldview? What do I believe in, and why do I believe it?"
===Stereotype Be===
The resulting solo album, ''[[Stereotype Be]]'', released on [[August 28]], [[2001]], was praised by [[All Music Guide]] for "[combining] pop, rock, and world music to create a versatile and intriguing project." Legendary artists [[Adrian Belew]], [[Larry Norman]], and [[Tony Levin]] contributed to the album.
===Further projects===
Curiously, while ''Stereotype Be'' has developed a considerable cult following, it wasn't well-received in the Christian music market, and not long after its release, Max was dropped from his Christian label, [[Forefront Records]]. Undeterred, Max began to slowly build his solo career through live shows and word-of-mouth. He released independent albums via his website, including an [[Extended play|EP]] entitled ''[[Between the Fence & the Universe]]'' and a spoken-word collaboration with Adrian Belew entitled ''[[Raven Songs 101]]'', both in 2004.
In fall of [[2004]], Max's [[word-of-mouth]] strategy finally began to pay off. He played the title role in the [[Visalia Theatre Company]] / [[Hutson-Cavale Productions]] revival of the classic [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]'s ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]]''. Later that year, he signed a new deal with [[Northern Records]] and released a second full-length album, titled ''[[The Imposter]]'', said to "contain...a sound that recalls the passion of early [[U2]], the soul of [[Jeff Buckley]], and the ambiguity of [[Blur (band)|Blur]]"[http://kevinmax.com/v5/] on [[October 18]], [[2005]]. He released a [[Christmas]] album, titled ''Holy Night'', in time for the 2005 Holiday Season.
In [[2000]], Candlejump Productions announced their film project, ''Soupernatural'', starring Kevin Max.[http://www.soupernaturalmovie.com/news.html] After six years, filming began in [[January]] of [[2007]].[http://www.stirredwaterstudios.com/soupernatural.html]
===Poetry and writings===
Max is also a poet and an author. He has published four books, three of which are poetry books: ''[[At the Foot of Heaven]]'' ([[1994]]), ''[[The Detritus of Dorian Gray]]'' ([[2003]]) and ''PO.ET.RY'' (2005). The other is an autobiography of sorts titled ''[[Unfinished Work]]'' ([[2001]]), an in-depth look at the meaning of each of his songs from ''Stereotype Be''. In addition, Max has a spoken-word EP album that accompanies his first poetry book ''At the Foot of Heaven'', released in [[1995]] by [[Starsong]] Productions.
===Personal life===
In [[1997]], Max married Alayna Bennett. They [[Divorce|divorced]] in [[2003]] for undisclosed reasons. He remarried in April of [[2005]] to Amanda Lynn MacDonald.[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/] Their daughter, London, was born on October 7 2005.[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/],[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/] They lived in [[Hollywood]], [[California]], until July [[2006]], when Max and his family moved to [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].[http://www.kevinmax.com/v5/] In December 2006, Max announced on his website that he and Amanda were expecting the birth of their second child (a boy) in June 2007.[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5/]
==Discography==
===Solo===
* ''[[At the Foot of Heaven (album)|At the Foot of Heaven]]'' (spoken word EP, [[Starsong]], 1995)
* ''[[Stereotype Be]]'' ([[Forefront Records]], 2001)
* ''[[Between the Fence & the Universe]]'' (EP, [[Northern Records]], 2004)
* ''[[The Imposter]]'' ([[Northern Records]], 2005)
* ''[[Holy Night (Kevin Max album)|Holy Night]]'' ([[Northern Records]], 2005)
===Collaborations===
* ''[[The Canticle of the Plains]]'', (musical written by Rich Mullins, 1997)
* ''[[Raven Songs 101]]'' (collaboration with [[Adrian Belew]], Blind Thief Publishing, 2003)
===Singles===
* ''Sanctuary'' (2005)
* ''Existence'' (2001)
* ''Be'' (2001)
===Filmography===
* ''Existence'' ([[ForeFront Records]], [[2001]])
* ''Seek Live'' ([[Northern Records]], [[2003]])
* ''Untitled'' (Blind Thief Publishing, [[2003]])
==Books==
* ''[[At the Foot of Heaven (book)|At the Foot of Heaven]]'' (poetry/artwork, [[Starsong]], 1994)
* ''[[Unfinished Work (book)|Unfinished Work]]'' (autobiography, T. Nelson, 2001)
* ''[[The Detritus of Dorian Gray]]'' (poetry, Blind Thief Publishing, 2003)
All three books have been compiled as part of a trilogy, PO/ET/RY. The compilation has been heralded as "literate, controversial and absolutely stunning visually."
==Guest appearances==
*[[Rich Mullins]] - '''To Tell Them'''
:from the [[1992]] album ''[[The World as Best as I Remember It, Volume Two]]''
*Kevin Max - '''Lonely Moon'''
:from the [[1994]] album ''[[Strong Hand of Love]]: A Tribute to Mark Heard''
*[[Audio Adrenaline]] - '''My World View'''
:from the [[1994]] album ''[[Don't Censor Me]]''
*[[Passafist]] - '''Louie's Solo'''
:from the [[1996]] album ''[[Never Say Dinosaur]]''
*[[SONICFLOOd]] - '''Something About That Name'''
:from the [[1999]] album ''[[SONICFLOOd]]''
*Kevin Max - '''Help Me Rhonda'''
:from the [[2002]] album ''[[Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson]]''
*[[Toby McKeehan|tobyMac]] - '''Atmosphere: Remix'''
:from the [[2004]] album ''[[Welcome to Diverse City (album)|Welcome to Diverse City]]''
*[[Playdough (rapper)|Playdough]] - '''Sandal Sole'''
:from the [[2006]] album ''[[Don't Drink the Water]]''
==Similar artists==
*[[U2]]
*[[Jeff Buckley]]
*[[Elvis Presley]]
*[[Seal]]
*[[Robbie Williams]]
*[[Bryan Duncan]]
*[[Sting]]
==See also==
*[[dc Talk]]
*[[Tait (band)|Tait]]
*[[Michael Tait]]
*[[Toby McKeehan]]
*[[Northern Records]]
==External links==
*[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5 Kevin Max]
*[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5/vanilla Kevin Max message board]
*[http://www.myspace.com/kevin_max1767 Kevin Max MySpace site]
*[http://68.123.230.73/media/the_imposter_player_host.htm The Imposter - Entire album online] (legal copy from his [http://www.provisionnational.com/kevinmax.html booking agent])
*[http://www.northernrecords.com Northern Records]
*[http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/kevinmax-0505.html Christianity Today interview]
*[http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/kevinmax.asp Interview] at ''[[Jesus Freak Hideout]]''
*[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/ crossrhythms.co.uk interview]
*[http://www.infuzemag.com/interviews/archives/2005/10/kevin_max.html Infuze Magazine interview]
*[http://www.cmspin.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=68&z=9 Kevin Max Profile at CMSpin]
{{dc Talk}}
[[Category:1967 births|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Living people|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American male singers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American poets|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Dc Talk members|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American rock singers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American rock singer-songwriters|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Christian musicians|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Christian writers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Dove Award winners|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:People from Grand Rapids, Michigan|Max, Kevin]]
|Name = Kevin Max
|Img = Kevin_Max.jpg
|Img_size =
|Background = solo_singer
|Birth_name = Kevin Max Smith
|Born = {{Birth date and age|1967|8|17}}
|Origin = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]], [[United States|USA]]
|Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Alternative Rock]]
|Years_active = Late 1980's–Present
|Associated_acts = [[dc Talk]]
}}
'''Kevin Max''' (born [[August 17]], [[1967]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[singer]], [[songwriter]], and [[poet]]. He is best known for being the lead singer of the [[Christian]] rock group [[dc Talk]].
==Biography==
===Early years===
His birth name is ''Kevin Max Smith'', but he legally shortened it to "Kevin Max" in [[1997]], citing that there were probably too many Smiths already in the world. Kevin was himself adopted by the Smith family and grew up in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]]. Another reason behind changing his name might be because his adoptive brother was named [[Max]]. [[Kevin]] showed incredible vocal and musical talent early in his life and his talent grew while at Grand Rapids Baptist High School and later at [[Cornerstone University]].
===dc Talk===
Later, at [[Liberty University]], he met fellow [[dc Talk]] friends: [[Toby McKeehan]] and [[Michael Tait]]. Together they formed [[dc Talk]] and went on to achieve great success in both [[Christian]] and mainstream music. The band went on to win four [[Grammy]], 16 [[Dove Awards]], and other recognitions. However, they decided to take an extended "intermission" in [[2000]].
===Spirituality===
In recent years, Kevin Max has attempted to create a name for himself apart from [[dc Talk]]. While he does not shy away from vocally defending his [[Christian]] faith, he has expressed a desire to create art with a universal appeal. He insists, "My music is for a [[Christian]] and a [[Buddhist]] to pick up and still enjoy, as well as for an [[atheist]]. But it is there to prod and ask some questions: What's my worldview? What do I believe in, and why do I believe it?"
===Stereotype Be===
The resulting solo album, ''[[Stereotype Be]]'', released on [[August 28]], [[2001]], was praised by [[All Music Guide]] for "[combining] pop, rock, and world music to create a versatile and intriguing project." Legendary artists [[Adrian Belew]], [[Larry Norman]], and [[Tony Levin]] contributed to the album.
===Further projects===
Curiously, while ''Stereotype Be'' has developed a considerable cult following, it wasn't well-received in the Christian music market, and not long after its release, Max was dropped from his Christian label, [[Forefront Records]]. Undeterred, Max began to slowly build his solo career through live shows and word-of-mouth. He released independent albums via his website, including an [[Extended play|EP]] entitled ''[[Between the Fence & the Universe]]'' and a spoken-word collaboration with Adrian Belew entitled ''[[Raven Songs 101]]'', both in 2004.
In fall of [[2004]], Max's [[word-of-mouth]] strategy finally began to pay off. He played the title role in the [[Visalia Theatre Company]] / [[Hutson-Cavale Productions]] revival of the classic [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]'s ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]]''. Later that year, he signed a new deal with [[Northern Records]] and released a second full-length album, titled ''[[The Imposter]]'', said to "contain...a sound that recalls the passion of early [[U2]], the soul of [[Jeff Buckley]], and the ambiguity of [[Blur (band)|Blur]]"[http://kevinmax.com/v5/] on [[October 18]], [[2005]]. He released a [[Christmas]] album, titled ''Holy Night'', in time for the 2005 Holiday Season.
In [[2000]], Candlejump Productions announced their film project, ''Soupernatural'', starring Kevin Max.[http://www.soupernaturalmovie.com/news.html] After six years, filming began in [[January]] of [[2007]].[http://www.stirredwaterstudios.com/soupernatural.html]
===Poetry and writings===
Max is also a poet and an author. He has published four books, three of which are poetry books: ''[[At the Foot of Heaven]]'' ([[1994]]), ''[[The Detritus of Dorian Gray]]'' ([[2003]]) and ''PO.ET.RY'' (2005). The other is an autobiography of sorts titled ''[[Unfinished Work]]'' ([[2001]]), an in-depth look at the meaning of each of his songs from ''Stereotype Be''. In addition, Max has a spoken-word EP album that accompanies his first poetry book ''At the Foot of Heaven'', released in [[1995]] by [[Starsong]] Productions.
===Personal life===
In [[1997]], Max married Alayna Bennett. They [[Divorce|divorced]] in [[2003]] for undisclosed reasons. He remarried in April of [[2005]] to Amanda Lynn MacDonald.[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/] Their daughter, London, was born on October 7 2005.[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/],[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/] They lived in [[Hollywood]], [[California]], until July [[2006]], when Max and his family moved to [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].[http://www.kevinmax.com/v5/] In December 2006, Max announced on his website that he and Amanda were expecting the birth of their second child (a boy) in June 2007.[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5/]
==Discography==
===Solo===
* ''[[At the Foot of Heaven (album)|At the Foot of Heaven]]'' (spoken word EP, [[Starsong]], 1995)
* ''[[Stereotype Be]]'' ([[Forefront Records]], 2001)
* ''[[Between the Fence & the Universe]]'' (EP, [[Northern Records]], 2004)
* ''[[The Imposter]]'' ([[Northern Records]], 2005)
* ''[[Holy Night (Kevin Max album)|Holy Night]]'' ([[Northern Records]], 2005)
===Collaborations===
* ''[[The Canticle of the Plains]]'', (musical written by Rich Mullins, 1997)
* ''[[Raven Songs 101]]'' (collaboration with [[Adrian Belew]], Blind Thief Publishing, 2003)
===Singles===
* ''Sanctuary'' (2005)
* ''Existence'' (2001)
* ''Be'' (2001)
===Filmography===
* ''Existence'' ([[ForeFront Records]], [[2001]])
* ''Seek Live'' ([[Northern Records]], [[2003]])
* ''Untitled'' (Blind Thief Publishing, [[2003]])
==Books==
* ''[[At the Foot of Heaven (book)|At the Foot of Heaven]]'' (poetry/artwork, [[Starsong]], 1994)
* ''[[Unfinished Work (book)|Unfinished Work]]'' (autobiography, T. Nelson, 2001)
* ''[[The Detritus of Dorian Gray]]'' (poetry, Blind Thief Publishing, 2003)
All three books have been compiled as part of a trilogy, PO/ET/RY. The compilation has been heralded as "literate, controversial and absolutely stunning visually."
==Guest appearances==
*[[Rich Mullins]] - '''To Tell Them'''
:from the [[1992]] album ''[[The World as Best as I Remember It, Volume Two]]''
*Kevin Max - '''Lonely Moon'''
:from the [[1994]] album ''[[Strong Hand of Love]]: A Tribute to Mark Heard''
*[[Audio Adrenaline]] - '''My World View'''
:from the [[1994]] album ''[[Don't Censor Me]]''
*[[Passafist]] - '''Louie's Solo'''
:from the [[1996]] album ''[[Never Say Dinosaur]]''
*[[SONICFLOOd]] - '''Something About That Name'''
:from the [[1999]] album ''[[SONICFLOOd]]''
*Kevin Max - '''Help Me Rhonda'''
:from the [[2002]] album ''[[Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson]]''
*[[Toby McKeehan|tobyMac]] - '''Atmosphere: Remix'''
:from the [[2004]] album ''[[Welcome to Diverse City (album)|Welcome to Diverse City]]''
*[[Playdough (rapper)|Playdough]] - '''Sandal Sole'''
:from the [[2006]] album ''[[Don't Drink the Water]]''
==Similar artists==
*[[U2]]
*[[Jeff Buckley]]
*[[Elvis Presley]]
*[[Seal]]
*[[Robbie Williams]]
*[[Bryan Duncan]]
*[[Sting]]
==See also==
*[[dc Talk]]
*[[Tait (band)|Tait]]
*[[Michael Tait]]
*[[Toby McKeehan]]
*[[Northern Records]]
==External links==
*[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5 Kevin Max]
*[http://www.kevinmaxmusic.com/v5/vanilla Kevin Max message board]
*[http://www.myspace.com/kevin_max1767 Kevin Max MySpace site]
*[http://68.123.230.73/media/the_imposter_player_host.htm The Imposter - Entire album online] (legal copy from his [http://www.provisionnational.com/kevinmax.html booking agent])
*[http://www.northernrecords.com Northern Records]
*[http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/kevinmax-0505.html Christianity Today interview]
*[http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/kevinmax.asp Interview] at ''[[Jesus Freak Hideout]]''
*[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Kevin_Max_The_Imposter/21535/p1/ crossrhythms.co.uk interview]
*[http://www.infuzemag.com/interviews/archives/2005/10/kevin_max.html Infuze Magazine interview]
*[http://www.cmspin.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=68&z=9 Kevin Max Profile at CMSpin]
{{dc Talk}}
[[Category:1967 births|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Living people|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American male singers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American poets|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Dc Talk members|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American rock singers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:American rock singer-songwriters|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Christian musicians|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Christian writers|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:Dove Award winners|Max, Kevin]]
[[Category:People from Grand Rapids, Michigan|Max, Kevin]]
