The world of Bob Carlisle is a long way from the evil histrionics of Marilyn Manson or sex puffery of the Spice Girls. But he's joined these acts in the million-selling club with the smash hit "Butterfly Kisses."
He's definitely the odd duck at the party.Carlisle, 40, is a veteran contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. After over 20 years of work, "Butterfly Kisses" has made him an overnight success.
His other albums sold about 30,000. Now, he finds himself selling 100,000 a WEEK, playing "The Tonight Show" and watching country music singers (The Raybon Brothers, Jeff Carson) falling over themselves to rush-release twangy versions of his hit. It topped Billboard magazine's contemporary Christian charts before crossing over to the adult contemporary category.
"Butterfly Kisses" is a love song - to his 18-year-old daughter, Brooke. It's a bittersweet ballad about a father's pride as his daughter becomes a woman. The heartland has responded heartily.
"There are a lot of good and decent people out there who I think get a little tired of angry music," Carlisle said. "Cheap or expensive sensationalism sells records, and I know that.
"But people want to relate to a song in their own lives. And I'm grateful to deliver that to them."
His album of inspirational pop ballads, "Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace)," reflects the man, with selections touching on God, family and the power of prayer.
Carlisle wrote "Butterfly Kisses" over two years ago, when Brooke was about to turn 16. He and wife Jacque also have a son, Evan, 10.
When Brooke was a little girl, she liked to give her father butterfly kisses, fluttering her eyelashes against his cheek.
"I guess I was just so very grateful that she's so very normal and lovely and loves God and loves us and is responsible," Carlisle said of his inspiration for the song.
Ambling into the home recording studio where he wrote "Butterfly Kisses," Carlisle wore dark sweat pants and T-shirt over his middle-age spread. A publicist nudges more than once before he agrees to change clothing and shave in preparation for a photographer.
A Los Angeles native, Carlisle is a veteran of the hippie Jesus movement of early 1970s California that was one of the starting points of the modern Christian music industry. "That didn't pay very well, so I made my way into studio work, singing on sessions," he said.
Carlisle's powerful tenor helped fill out the choruses of hits by Motley Crue, REO Speedwagon, Barry Manilow and whoever else paid for his services. "Though I looked like those rocker guys at the time, I never dove into that lifestyle," Carlisle said.
He worked frequently with other backup singers that shared his Christian convictions. Eventually, he became the front man for Allies, a Christian rock band that stayed together for nearly a decade. "Butterfly Kisses" co-writer Randy Thomas was also a member of Allies.
A move to the Nashville area allowed Carlisle to pursue his Christian music career and to write country songs for Dolly Parton ("Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That"), Mel McDan-iel and Ty England.
The massive success of "Butterfly Kisses" means a big payday for the singer, which he says he is looking forward to. "But you know, I was fine before, making a fine living and happy to make my family my priority.
"All this attention and the money is great, but take it all away and I'd happily live in a tent, as long as I have my family."