Just when you thought you couldn’t stomach another version of “Silent Night,” Brad Hooks comes along with such a unique rendition of the 
class your opinion changes completely. A singer/songwriter and worship pastor from L.A., when Brad hooks isn’t putting fresh new spins on church hymns and writing fresh material, he is leading worship at Calvary Church Montebello. He and his wife have partneredwith West Coast Care, an organization which aids the homeless. Check out Brad’s bran spankin’ new album Hymnastics, which adds elements of alternative rock, folk, pop and hip-hop to traditional hymns. Not only did Brad agree to Un-Wrap Christian with Backseat Writer with hilarious anecdotes, he also gave BSW a copy of his version of “Silent Night” for readers to download for FREE. Thanks for the early Christmas present, Brad!
LISTEN TO or DOWLOAD “SILENT NIGHT’ BY BRAD HOOKS
What is one of your favorite Christmas memories?
Well, the one that sticks out the most in my mind is when we visited Grandma’s house in 1986. I was 5 years old. Upon arrival I immediately headed for the swing set, decided to swing standing up and without holding on, fell forward onto a cement square (the only one in the entire backyard), and split open my face just above the nose and between the eyebrows. Christmas was a bit like a “Grey’s Anatomy” holiday special from that point on- a combination of bickering family members, apathetic hospital attendants and me being stitched up in the ER. I have the scar to this day.
Let’s talk Santa. Did you believe in him as child? How did you find out he’s not real?
Yes. Believed whole-heartedly. In 1989, my brother and I snuck downstairs in the middle of the night to discover that Santa was in fact Mom and Dad, and Santa was losing his mind trying to assemble the season’s hottest race car track. The following morning there was no race car track. It didn’t make it through the night. My sister then proceeded to sit on top of her new doll house, crushing the roof in so much that Barbie and Ken had to remain downstairs in the kitchen and living area; only Kelly and her school buddies were able to stand upright second level. It was a Christmas catastrophe. But don’t worry, Santa still managed to polish off all the cookies and milk.
What’s your fave Christmas song/Christmas movie or cartoon/Christmas cookie?
Song- O Come All Ye Faithful, Movie- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original), Cookie- Sugar. Preferably shaped and decorated like Christmas trees.
She is Beloved 