The Life of Carter is just that--the musical expressions of the life of its singer/songwriter/frontman, Carter Frodge. Once a part of a well-known Christian band, unexpected detours found Frodge--who had been playing to thousands from Coast to Coast--uncertain about his musical future. 

But in the silence, God spoke, and reaffirmed the strong ministry call Frodge received at 14 years old. Now, Frodge has returned with a new Life of Carter EP that expresses Carter's life and journey of faith.

In the midst of a big summer of festivals and singles, and of course the EP release, NRT's Kevin McNeese asked Frodge some questions to get us up to speed with this new era of creativity. 

1. Tell us why you're excited about this new phase in your musical career.

I moved to Nashville six months ago! I have a management deal with a company called Day 6 Management and it's really cool to be on a team that is behind your music, behind your ministry, behind your vision. It's a new thing for me; you know, it has kind of always felt like a lot of it is on my shoulders, so to have a team of people around you that want to bring your ministry to life is unbelievably exciting, and so I'm super thankful for that.

Things are going completely amazing; I got to release my self-titled Life Of Carter EP at Creation Northeast, which was just amazing, and I'm so thankful for all the support so quickly. Did a couple more festivals for this summer and then we're releasing my song "Brand New" to radio as well as releasing a video that we are super proud of. I'm very excited for that, and so yeah, a big thank you to everyone over at a NewReleaseToday; your support means the world.

2. What inspired you to be a part of Christian music?

I always knew that I wanted to be in Christian music just because of my upbringing. It was so influential with listening to different Christian bands, going to shows and all that. My desire is to be able to build something that has that impact on people, that has that influence on students that can lead people towards Jesus. I think that's such a special thing to be able to write songs and to be able to do that at the same time is just incredible. So I'm thankful that I have this opportunity to be able to do music in this capacity.
 
3. Which artists are influencing you right now? Any you'd love to work with in the future?

So there have been tons of artists and bands that have continued to influence me over the years, but one artist in particular that has kind of stuck out the most over the years as is Hillsong. I love their music, I love what they do as a whole for music and for the Church. It's just incredible, and it blows my mind the impact that they've had. I feel like if I was able to work with like any artist ever it would probably be Hillsong just 'cause I think they have this ability to connect with people musically in a worshipful way. I think that's that's on the bucket list.

4. What importance has the Church held in your life so far? How can we encourage people to continually press in locally through the Church?

All my life, ever since I can remember, I grew up in the Church, and I think it's been so important just because I truly believe that as people we are not destined to do life alone. I think we require people to surround us, to help us walk the journey of faith with us. We're meant to do it together and so to anybody who does not have a local church, man, I would just truly encourage you to find to find that church that can love on you and that can walk this Christian journey with you in order to be the best man or woman of God that you can possibly be.

5. Any life scriptures you'd like to share?

My favorite scripture ever is in Philippians, Philippians 4:6 which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God." For somebody who struggles greatly with anxiety and stress about basically anything... I'm someone who can find any reason to be anxious, but this verse has has changed my life. Over the years I've had to be really intentional while I'm feeling anxious or feeling stressed to kind of beat my mind into submission and to choose to look towards Christ and to choose to let Him carry my baggage for me. That's a really hard thing to do as a person, but the scripture continues to remind me over and over that man, we just we have to choose to not be anxious and to choose to not dwell in our anxiety and to let God carry our baggage for us because he wants to.
 
6. What does a concert with Life Of Carter look like?

I think the the biggest thing you can expect is a lot of jumping, a lot of energy. My favorite thing ever is to be able to perform for people and for them to just have a blast, and to want to see another show. To be able to experience that growing up, going to shows, you know, it was always a special thing to leave feeling like that was the best. So it's a huge goal of mine to make sure every show is high-energy, exciting and fun, but also while doing that I want to make sure that people know that Jesus is the answer. I will always continue to say that over and over because I think it's important, and I think the most important thing in life is to let people know that they're loved by Christ and that He is the answer to whatever you are looking for. 

7. What are some things or themes you want people to take away from your music?

I want people to be able to relate to these songs and to be able to to be inspired by them, to have fun with them, but most importantly more than anything I definitely want people to know fully that Jesus is the answer. No matter the emptiness you feel, whatever you are searching for, whatever you feel guilty about, whatever's off base in your life, I promise you that Jesus is the answer. For me as an artist, yes, but also just as a person that is the most important thing in life is to let people know that Jesus is the answer.