BECKLEY, W.Va. — Longtime successful Christian hip hop recording artist TobyMac is looking forward to the release of his next song this fall which will have a connection to West Virginia.
TobyMac, aka Toby McKeehan, was at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine earlier this week filming scenes that will be part of the video for his song ‘Promise Land.’
“I came to West Virginia cause my parents were both born and raised in West Virginia. My granddaddy was a miner in Glen Rodgers (Wyoming County) and my dad came to Beckley to have all of his fun,” he said.
Promise Land is about TobyMac’s grandfather, who died of Black Lung disease.
“The story line (of the song) doesn’t follow his story exactly. He did die of Black Lung but he had already moved to Northern Virginia, my granddaddy, but I did come as close to their hometown to shoot this video and this location was a perfect place to do it,” TobyMac said.
Beckley Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Baker, who oversees the exhibition coal mine operation, said filming took place in the mine and on other parts of the property.
“When they got here they saw the church and because of his Christian background they really wanted to do some filming in the church as well and then from the church they decided to expand the story theme and they’ve been in the house as well,” Baker said.
Some area residents were used in the production, Baker said.
“He wanted couples, children, babies. We called in all kinds of markers and asked people to come help us and of course, as Beckley is, they were very, very receptive,” she said.
TobyMac’s career began as a member of DC Talk in 1987. He launched his solo career in 2001. He told a few reporters in Beckley his career has lasted longer than he ever thought it would.
“When I moved to Nashville I told my dad, ‘Let me try music for a few years and I’ll come back to Northern Virginia and do real estate with you,'” TobyMac said. “I look up and 28 years later I’m still making music. I’m really grateful. I don’t take it for granted.”
He currently has the top song on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, ‘Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)’ which debuted in February.
TobyMac said he wakes up every day grateful.
“It’s been a long career, people have stayed loyal. I think sometimes when you write music that meets people where they are, touches their soul, which is always my hope and my prayer, they stay with you for a long time,” he said. “It’s not just some quick pop hit, it’s something that’s affected their lives and if that’s any indication of that, I’m grateful, because that’s always my prayer.”
He expects ‘Promise Land’ to be released in September or October. Baker said she’s looking forward to seeing the mine and part of the property in the video.
“Any type of publicity we can get and especially when it’s in a positive light about the history of the coal industry here and with somebody that really understands and has family history, it will be out there, and maybe they’ll see the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine sign and decide to come visit on their own,” Baker said.