High priest of heavenly pop

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

His select group of fans think his voice is divine.

And while Catholic priest Chris Skinner has been privately producing recordings of his own songs for 15 years, he could now be on the verge of becoming an international act.

Concert promoter Gray Bartlett, the director of Pacific Entertainment, has no doubt that the 45-year-old Wellington-based Marist priest is a "world quality" performer.

Bartlett, who manages pop-opera divas Hayley Westenra and Julia Townsend, was impressed when he first heard Skinner sing and describes him as a "quite unique pop-folk stylist. He is like a new version of James Taylor".

Keen to bring the heavenly talent to a wider audience, Bartlett is behind Skinner's new compact disc, which features one track which is not original - You Raise Me Up.

Believing the powerful song perfectly showcased the priest's range and depth, Bartlett recorded it before classical and contemporary singer Josh Groban brought out his version.

"Josh is a great singer but his is one-dimensional - Chris is much better," said the promoter.

With no mass marketing, and air-time on only a handful of New Zealand radio stations, Skinner's rendition has attracted an "absolutely incredible" reaction from listeners, said Bartlett.

The CD will be launched on August 7 at a concert by the priest in St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland.

After that, Bartlett hopes the Catholic Church hierarchy will let him take Skinner on tour.

"I reckon he would get a great following."

The modest priest will see what eventuates. Although he has been singing all his life with the encouragement of his mother, Grace, now 84 - she has sung with him on a couple of his nine albums - the tenor's real work is in the community, and particularly with at-risk youth.

"They wouldn't be buying my records - I'm not into rap or anything."

Skinner, who was ordained at 26, uses his God-given talent to touch hearts and souls.

"It is a way of communicating and connecting with people. Music and songs can be powerful when we have run out of words or find things difficult to express."

As for the prospect of fame and fortune from his singing: " If things really rocket, then we will just have to see. But I am still a priest".