Christian pop/rock band Attaboy has a unique model of reaching teens where they are. To help continue their work in character education, Attaboy released a song in September 2023 called “Makin’ Moves.”
“You might be going through some tough situations, but this song is about proactively overcoming adversity,” said Ryan Payne, current lead singer of Attaboy. “There comes a time when you have to step up and make some moves to make things happen, to show perseverance and determination in order to move forward in spite of the adversity.”
In the early days of the band, Attaboy had friends who taught character education. Having more invitations than they could handle, Attaboy was asked to help meet that need.
Attaboy responded by developing a program for middle and high school assemblies that covered topics like bullying, drugs and how to get help with mental health issues.
“What makes our performance unique is that we tailor it all and have crafted it all into a combination concert and speaking type show. We use our songs to emphasize the points that we’re communicating so that we can give our message through different ways — through music and through speaking.
“It’s a really fun, high-energy show that includes messaging that is in the hope that students will reach out for help and will start to learn about perseverance and treating each other with respect,” Payne continued. “There’s no spiritual language in it. We don’t refer to our faith in the assembly.”
However, this is only the first part of what Attaboy does in each town. Part two is carried out that evening.
“Once we have [the school assembly] booked, we will simply plan to do what we call our normal touring concert. We travel with full light production, original music. It’s a fun pop-rock, indie-rock show that we put together,” Payne said.
The students who attended the school assembly are invited to show up at the evening show with friends and family members.
Sharing more
Though Payne knows that the information taught in the assembly is really important and can proactively impact a student’s life, the band can be freer with what they share in the evening show.
Payne’s personal story is one example.
Through the years, the band has heard from many school administrators who have consistently said that dealing with mental health is one of their biggest issues.
During Payne’s own middle and high school years, he struggled with anxiety. This anxiety later turned into full-blown obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“We found a way that I can now tell at least some of that story without crossing the religious line, but in a way that can communicate, ‘Hey, kids. The point of why I’m telling you this is because I want you to get help.’
“[At the evening show] I’ve been able to emphasize that point,” Payne said. “I’ve been able to bring more of the spiritual side of it in the evening when I’m sharing the gospel.”
Though Attaboy discusses some serious topics, both shows are events that the students are excited to attend. But being a very active performance with a lot of running, jumping and moving around, sometimes things happen.
“At any given time in a live show, something could go wrong. And often when something goes wrong, it can create the funniest moments, probably many of them involving falling people or falling objects,” Payne said.
Most important
Bringing this same attitude of rolling with the punches to their recent release “Makin’ Moves,” Attaboy wanted to show the importance of not wallowing in a situation but “taking a step and moving in spite of a lack of knowledge of what’s in front of you.”
To illustrate this idea, they recorded in as many crazy places as they could imagine, producing a lighthearted video with a valuable message.
After concerts, students have told Attaboy they needed to hear the things said or they were planning suicide that night but didn’t because someone brought them to the concert or they decided to make better choices.
While those are all great things, Payne knows what’s most important.
“Ultimately, while we don’t get to hear this all the time, getting messages from students who say, ‘You know what? I have chosen to follow Jesus,’ is honestly our ultimate goal, and it’s amazing when we get to hear that. It really makes what we’re doing even more worth it.”
The hilarious and thought-provoking video for “Makin’ Moves” can be found at attaboyonline.com/makin-moves. Information about the upcoming tour and music releases can be found at attaboyonline.com. For booking inquiries for a local school, email Attaboy at attaboyonline.com/contact.
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