MUSIC

Local music director releases album ‘For the Glory of His Name’

By Rebecca Bostic | April 16, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Doug Slater is a man of faith on a mission, a mission he believes is inspired by God. The Catholic musician just recorded and released “For the Glory of His Name,” his most recent and self-proclaimed best album thus far.

The 13-track album, featuring primarily alternative rock songs, alongside meditative and worship-driven songs, was written with the goal of leading listeners to prayer.

“I keep hearing ‘Feed my sheep,’ in prayer and I truly feel I am called to teach and help bring those who feel lost or alienated back into the loving arms of the Catholic Church,” Slater said.

“There is a lot of faith apathy out there right now,” he added. “It’s not that people don’t believe; it’s just that they need a revival, or jumpstart, to more actively live their lives as God’s children. I want to take that message out to the world.”

Slater has been the music director at Christ the King Parish in Mesa for nearly seven years. The Arizona native began his career in Catholic music at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Scottsdale after graduating with a degree in music theory and composition from Arizona State University.

Slater, who has been writing music since he was 19, wrote all but two of the songs on “For the Glory of His Name.”

“My music, faith and prayer life are all interwoven. I can’t see any without the other. For me, music comes from prayer and my prayer flows out into my music,” Slater said.

“At some point, I don’t even remember the exact moment, I was inspired to put these prayers into original songs,” he added. “I believe my music comes out of the Holy Spirit guiding me to lead others to prayer.”

Beyond being the title track of his new album, Slater calls “For the Glory of His Name” his motto in both life and music. He sees his primary responsibility as a worship leader to “point to Jesus Christ in all that I do,” he said.

He hopes listeners of his album understand that motto and hear “that God wants you to come as you are to Him, not in your perfection, but in your true desire to seek Him. If we come to Him with humility and love then we can truly live our lives for the glory of His name.”

Having worked primarily with teenagers and young adults for most of his career in ministry, Slater’s music is largely geared toward that demographic — although there is something for everyone on the album.

The guitar presence, usually played at a fast pace with great energy, dominates the album, making it distinctly rock in sound. Lyrically the album is diverse, drawing on references from across the entire Bible and Catholic tradition. Slater’s slower songs, like “Jesus I Trust in You” and “I Surrender” are  more prayerful and meditative.

Although the quality of “For the Glory of His Name” is strong throughout, the guitar driven rock songs are where Slater’s style and talent shine. He grew up listening to alternative rock and calls that his roots, but considers himself a versatile musician.

“My songs can be used in upbeat praise and worship sessions with teens and young adults, but it can also be used to draw people in meditative prayer,” Slater said.

Slater recorded “For the Glory of His Name” over the past two years and released the album on his own label, Golgotha Music. He hopes that this album will launch him into the national Catholic music scene and enable him to lead more concerts, events and conferences across the country.

He wants to take the message of God’s love “out to the world through recorded music, live tours, missions or concerts,” Slater said. “I will go where God leads me.”