Actor Dennis Quaid, who transformed his life from struggling with drugs to returning to his Christian roots, has released a new album, “Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners.” He recently shared his spiritual journey with “People” magazine.
The veteran actor is known for roles in “The Parent Trap,” “Innerspace”, “The Big Easy,” “Enemy Mine,” and the hit 2018 film about MercyMe – “I Can Only Imagine.”
He’s not known as a singer but his new album is resonating with the public. He’s now topping the Christian music charts. The album is a musical history of his life’s journey.
Although he grew up in a Baptist church, he fell into cocaine addiction as he got older. Despite his addiction, Quaid embarked on a spiritual journey where he read books from a variety of religious backgrounds.
“I started reading the Bible again,” he said. “But I also read the Bhagavad Gita. I read the Dhammapada. I read the Koran. And I went back, and I read the Bible again, for, like, the second or third time. And I was really struck by the red words of Jesus.”
The words of Christ stood out as truth above all others. In response, Quaid began to develop a personal relationship with Christ. In addition to his faith, Quaid talked about his three children and how much he enjoys being a father, adding that he comes off as “a dorky dad.” Quaid also explained how his relationship with his wife, Laura, differs from prior relationships in his life.
He was previously married to Meg Ryan with whom he shares a son and to Kimberly Buffington with whom he fathered twins.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” he says.
He also talked about his struggles and was asked if those helped shape who he is today. “It’s a struggle,” he says. “We’re all looking for the joy of life, and drugs give that to you and alcohol and whatever it is for anybody give that to you really quick. Then they’re fun and then they’re fun with problems, and then they’re just problems after a while. That’s really what we’re looking for, the joy of life, which is our gift, actually, the relationship with God that we all have. It’s at the bottom of it, the joy of being alive.”
Achieving sobriety, he adds, “was about getting back to that.”
“Laura’s the love of my life,” he said. “We have a bond with one another that I never had with anybody else before. Yeah, God is in the relationship, for one thing, which I’ve never had a relationship like that before.”
His new album is about how he had lived a life apart from God.
“This album, `Fallen,’ really is me,” he said. “At least for 20 years of my life, I was living in the world and wrestling with God and kind of sitting too close to the devil at times without even knowing it. I think I do have some guardian angels out there though, looking after me, because I made it through. I know some people who didn’t.”
Quad’s new album is now available through Gaither Music Group.
“I grew up at the Baptist church; I love the hymns that I remember from being a kid,” he says. “The songs are self-reflective and self-examining, not churchy. All of us have a relationship with God, whether you’re a Christian or not.”
Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners is a collection of a dozen songs that reflect his faith. The album features a combination of originals like “Fallen,” “Please Don’t Give Up on Me” and others that were written by Quaid, alongside gospel standards, including “Amazing Grace,” “Just As I Am,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ahead of the album’s release, Quaid has shared his rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s country and gospel hit, “Why Me,” which shows off his rugged vocals as he sings, Tell me Lord / What did I ever do / That was worth loving you / Or the kindness you’ve shown.
The album features well-known singers including The oak Ridge Boys.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
