ST. JOHN – From the first chords of “Good God,” a track from PJ Anderson’s new album “Heart Healer,” the St. John native warmed up the 1,500 concert-goers who gathered in Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza on an unseasonably cool evening.
Anderson returned on Sept. 7 for the Let Your Light Shine concert event at The Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John for the first time since 2019. The Nashville artist sought to make the date about family, friends and faith.
“At my best, at my worst, You’re a Good God/I think of all the ways that You love me, Your kindness is the kind that overwhelms.”
Between songs from his new LP and older ones such as 2016’s “Mercy, Mercy,” he interspersed greetings to people such as his parents, Paul and Colleen Anderson, and his wife, Rachel Anderson, who gathered with their four children among other youngsters who danced in front of the stage.
Criss-crossing America on a modest tour schedule, Anderson was surprised to learn that longtime friend and Catholic recording artist was in Northwest Indiana preparing for a Sept. 8 concert at St. Maria Goretti parish in Dyer. The Music City crooner greeted Sarah Hart with a hug on stage at the plaza.
The singer-songwriter who worked with Anderson on her 2020 album “Love As Never Before,” was draped in a cozy blanket and proceeded to add vocals for a few numbers. Another former musical collaborator, Alison Powell, St. John the Evangelist pastoral associate of music, said she thought Anderson’s return to the place where his career got its start was a great idea.
“PJ’s song ‘You and You Alone’ really hit me, (especially) the bridge, the litany of humility,” Powell said. “I think there’s a lot of healing happening here tonight through his music.”
Michael Rensch, 17, and Charlotte Rensch, 13, attended the concert with their dad Mike Rensch. The St. John teens both enjoyed the show.
“I think it is very moving – this music is about God and most other pop music isn’t,” said Charlotte, who is an eighth-grader at SJE school.
While the night was still young, Anderson invited his children to join him to sing, and daughters, Claire, 11, and Elliot, 8, took him up on the offer. Again, the audience responded in animated fashion and applause.
They sang, “All I want is You, All I want is Jesus/My soul finds rest in You, the way You changed my life I cannot repay.”
“It was such a joy to be back home and to be able to play for so many familiar faces,” said Anderson, reflecting on his visit. “I felt all the feels returning home to play.”
Caption: PJ Anderson (right), a Nashville recording artist, sings self-penned praise and worship songs with his daughters Elliot (middle), 8, and Claire (second from left), 11, on Sept. 7 during the Let Your Light Shine concert event at Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza in St. John. The Catholic crooner returned to play at his hometown St. John the Evangelist Church during Mass for the first time since 2010; he had not performed at The Shrine of Christ's Passion since 2019. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)