Conversation: Scott Krippayne

Editor Ken Horn recently spoke with Christian music artist Scott Krippayne, who, with Jeff Peabody, won the 2007 American Idol Songwriting Contest with “This Is My Now.”

tpe: How did you begin a music ministry?

KRIPPAYNE: I grew up writing songs and playing classical piano. I committed my life to Christ at a youth camp before my senior year of high school and got involved with a worship group at a college fellowship at the University of Washington. God opened doors, and it really was by word of mouth that my music ministry began to grow. By my last year of college, I was traveling a couple of weekends a month.

tpe: What kind of songs do you like to write best?

KRIPPAYNE: I hope the heart of God comes through in whatever the song is. Whether it’s in a language Christians might understand or in a language a nonbeliever would use.

tpe: You won the American Idol songwriting contest. How did that come about?

KRIPPAYNE: My pastor asked if I wanted to write a song with him. We took our best shot at the target they had painted, and the fact that it went all the way through is incredible. It has made it easier for me to get my songs listened to in other circles.

tpe: You’ve said you “jumped off the people-pleaser bus.” What does that mean?

KRIPPAYNE: I need to be an ambassador for Jesus and know who I am in God’s sight. The Idol song was heard by 30 million people, and if 5 percent of the people hated it, that’s still a million people. No matter how hard I try, some people will hate my music. And God just kind of says, Would you quit worrying about this?

E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.