an interview with Bethany musician Kurt Dyrhsen

“Where’s the end of the story? Where’s the end of the road?” These words form the opening lyrics of a song on Kurt Dyrhsen’s new CD, Until The Road Ends.

A familiar face around Bethany, Kurt has been writing music and leading worship with his wife Kristin for over 10 years. When he is not building houses or acting as father to his children Amadea, Oliver and Ezra, he is helping with music at Bethany. He recently led worship for the Alpha course and is currently planning to lead worship for the upcoming Dynamis course.

Where are you from originally?

I grew up among the rice fields, peach orchards and almond orchards in a smallish town called Yuba City, California. I came to Seattle in August of 1993, disillusioned with the community college I was attending, and generally unhappy about being in Yuba City.

I knew I had made the right choice to move here when I bumped into Keith McMahon (a CA friend) on a bus at the corner of Queen Anne and Mercer the morning after my plane arrived.

When did you become a Christian?

I came to know the Lord back in 1990 at a Young Life camp, Woodleaf.  I guess you have to be careful when you say “God if you’re real, you need to show me. If you’re real I will continue to walk in your ways the rest of my life.” Who knew?

When did you start to recognize that you had a talent for music?

Genetics got me off to a great start. My father was a professional singer for many years and my mother sang in chorales. I picked up the clarinet when I was 7 or 8. I discovered I could sing and play guitar when I started Young Life in high school. It just came naturally to me.

How have you felt encouraged to pursue music?

There are a few pillars of strength I have in my life—God, my wife Kristen and my community at Bethany. God gave me the gift of music and the desire to share it. Kristen saw my music as something special when I really didn’t much of the time. If it wasn’t for her support and encouragement I would not have pursued music.

I grew up as a musician at Bethany. If it weren’t for the community, recording this record would have been impossible. Starting a few years back I was constantly asked, “Do you have a CD?” I had to say “no” every time.

Producing a CD is an expensive endeavor and I couldn’t finance it myself. After wrestling internally for a year or so I sent out a letter (that many at Bethany received) asking for support. The response was overwhelming and I was able to push forward with the project. I am so grateful for this community and for the encouragement they have given over the years. Thank you, Bethany!

What is your process for song-writing?

Some songs come all at once in a moment of inspiration and other songs sit around unfinished, literally for years. The songs initially come from a very emotional place for me. “The Sweetest Thing” is a love song I wrote for Kristin six years after we were married. “Autumn” is a song I wrote in the fall of 2004 after my father died and Ezra was born. “For You My Child” was a song I wrote after hearing about Caleb Jordan’s sudden death. After I have the “meat” of a song, I make sure it is theologically sound (if it is about God) and revise it to be lyrically engaging.

Do you hope to make a career in music?

The short answer is “yes,” but I am not banking on it. It is extremely difficult to make a career in music without sacrificing integrity. That’s in God’s hands. My family and making sure we have what we need to survive are ultimately more important to me than making music a career.

With that said, I don’t believe it’s out of the realm of possibility. I know I’ll always be involved in music, regardless of where it takes me: writing, singing, recording, or producing.

Though Kurt doesn’t know the “end of his story” or “the end of his road,” his lyrics express the conviction of his faith: “I’ll run until the road ends. I know I’ll see You there.”

Kurt’s website is under construction.
It may be found at: www.thefollymusic.com.