By David F. Dawes

ROY SALMOND has come at music from many angles: as singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, worship leader, session player, and as half of early-80s duo Salmond and Mulder.

The role he seems most comfortable with these days, however, is that of producer.

For more than a decade, at his Whitewater Productions facility in Surrey, he has recorded albums by artists ranging from Montreal world music artist Lianna Klassen and Surrey singer Rodger Champagne to Nashville musician Layton Howerton and rockin’ rector Steve James.

While he has earned a reputation for quality work, he happily pokes fun at himself. “Someone once called me the crusty old wise producer,” he tells BCCN.

Whitewater Studio is a very compact facility, but not cramped. Mandolins hang on walls in several rooms. There is a huge tapestry on one wall in the section where the instruments are recorded, along with a sofa.

In the fair-sized booth where vocals are recorded, there is a small chandelier and a comfy chair. “I want people to feel like they’re in a house,” Salmond says.

Musicians visit this ‘house’ from many locales. Notably, Steve James, who first worked with Salmond when he was a pastor at St. John’s Shaughnessy Church in Vancouver, has  come all the way from Britain.

Others come from across Canada – and also from ‘Music City.’

“I get Nashville artists all the time. They come up because they don’t want to work in the Nashville Christian cookie cutter factory.”

Canada, he says, has a lot to offer the Christian music ‘scene.’ He especially singles out recording artist Steve Bell, and his Signpost Music label.

Bell, he says, is “a shining light of spiritual and musical integrity. Whether you like the folkie vibe or not, it’s uniquely and passionately him.”

Asked about the work of independent musicians in this province, he says: “Because most of my clientele are from elsewhere, I’m not as in touch with B.C. But what I’m aware of is very healthy.”

Pressed for specifics, he notes the work of established artists such as Carolyn Arends, Michael Hart, Spencer Capier, Brian Doerksen, Rob Des Cotes and Jim Woodyard. He also has kind words for some up and coming artists.

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“Chris Janz is a great artist, producer and player. Greg Sczebel is a fantastically talented artist who’s only going to get better. And Cory Doak is a fabulous writer and worship musician.”

Aside from rock, Salmond says, the genre which shows the most vitality in B.C. is “acoustic-based, confessional stuff.”

He doesn’t give much credence to the ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ industry.

Indeed, he says, “I hate the term ‘Christian music’ – because there’s no such thing as a born again note. It’s just music; you either use it for God, or you don’t.”

Even worship music, he says, “can be a pile of clichés strung together with a backbeat.”

He notes: “I don’t see much CCM these days in B.C. – but it’s still being produced in ‘Nash Vegas.’”  

Asked if he hears a lot of originality among B.C. musicians, he responds: “How do you define originality, in a field where you’ve got guitars, a finite set of chords, and a culture which commodifies everything?

“There’s not a lot, if you define originality as something you’ve never heard before. But if you define it as authentic representation of someone’s heart and soul, and whether it has integrity – then yes, there is very much originality.”

Canada, he maintains, is “finding its own unique voice in its music.

Sometimes U.S. companies look for Canadian music to be reflective of the American pop scene – and it is to their detriment. They don’t recognize some of the uniqueness that is here.”

So, what sets apart the better B.C. artists? “They aren’t just looking for the ‘twangin’ fer Jesus’ hit. They articulate a unique perspective and musical vision. If you define ‘better’ as commercial success and sales, that’s not always the case.”

Asked what he finds rewarding about his line of work, Salmond laughs, then says: “Paying the mortgage, feeding my kids, buying CDs.

On a more serious note: helping artists give an authentic voice to the Christian experience – whether it’s worship, confessional or directive.”

Finally, asked to delineate his ultimate goal, he chuckles: “Commercial success – not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

A higher goal? “To accurately reflect and share the gospel of Jesus – not that there’s anything wrong with that.”  

June 2007