Ronnie Martin of JOY Electric
http://www.joyelectric.com/
by Trisha Bleau

CS: How would you describe JOY Electric?

Ronnie: Pop music with a dash of originality for the world to hear.

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

Ronnie: I formed the group myself and then added Jeff Cloud shortly after to play all the electronics for our live shows. We added a 3rd member, Caleb Mannan last year.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting?

Ronnie: We feel the main focus of our ministry is to be an encouragement to Christians by providing them with something legitimate and original for this scene.

CS: Where did you come up with the name JOY Electric?

Ronnie: That is a secret.

CS: Where do you see JOY Electric in five years? Ten? The future?

Ronnie: In five to ten years time I want to still be making excellent records and hopefully our audience will have kept expanding as well.

CS: How have you changed since you started out?

Ronnie: I think I've become a lot less despairing over the success of the band. The first couple of years were quite difficult because I have high expectations for things. The Lord has taught me a lot.

CS: When and how did you accept Christ into your heart?

Ronnie: I accepted Christ when I was 6 years old. My parents had been life-long Catholics and then they accepted the Lord, and I followed soon after.

CS: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why? Same question, but for book of the Bible.

Ronnie: Fav. Bible verse- Matthew 28:20 "............and lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age." Fav. Book- James

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from touring and ministering through music?

Ronnie: The biggest thing I've learned is that people do hang on your every word, so that creates an enormous responsibility to them as far as being a role model. A lot of Christian bands seem to not want to accept this, but I believe that it's something to be taken seriously. We'll be held accountable for it as well.

CS: What is the funniest thing you have seen while touring?

Ronnie: Kids dressing up like our album sleeves.

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done during one of your concerts?

Ronnie: I'm not quite sure, that's a very broad question.

CS: Do you write your own music?

Ronnie: Yes

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

Ronnie: Influences come from everywhere. Older Christian bands like Undercover, The Altar Boys, Daniel Amos, 441, etc. our big influences.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your music?

Ronnie: We're probably the most criticized band in music history! It's because we don’t follow the same musical path as everyone else.

CS: Who, aside from Jesus, is or has been the biggest influence in your life?

Ronnie: Family and friends

CS: Do you have an accountability partner or prayer partner to keep you encouraged and uplifted?

Ronnie: Same as above.

CS: Do you sing anywhere else just for fun? Like maybe in the shower or while cleaning or driving, etc? And if you do, do you sing your own music or someone else's?

Ronnie: I sing all the time, but never my own songs.

CS: Do you find it strange to hear your own music on the radio?

Ronnie: Yes, at times, but it's nice.

CS: Do you have any advice to give the youth of our world?

Ronnie: Open your hearts to the true Gospel and love of the Lord.