Rich Mullins did not want to let go of his audience. After an evening filled with three hours of music, the gospel music artist was still at the piano. By that time his speaking voice was raspy, as he led the on-its-feet crowd in just a few more choruses and a few more thoughts about how it is that God is so awesome.

Mullins, 36, was concluding a concert program at Christ Memorial Reformed Church opened by fellow musician Billy Crockett. Following Mullins' in-person introduction, Crockett took to the stage with his bold guitar style, getting the audience to sing along on "Outta My Mind." Crockett often used stories, poems, and even a painting to help explain his music.

A humorous rhyme about a trip down the "tunnel of fear" set in context the tune "Big Rubber Bumper." The 35-year-old gospel singer also used humor in leading the audience through "Love Carrier." And his deft guitar was especially telling in "Best of Friends." A painting - as well as a classical guitar supplemented the tender "Elena," his album "Any Starlight Night." Perhaps Crockett's performance musicians have REVIEW lost a bit of luster when he added "Walking On The Earth" to his set, which seemed to have finished with the Doxology. Even so, the talented Crockett has a lot more music in his catalog.

But after an offering and intermission, Mullins asked the guitarist to help out with his own first tune, "Hello Old Friends,' from his just-released work, "The World As Best As I Remember It. Vol. II." Mullins spent most of the night at the piano pounding out keyboarddriven versions of his hits. More than two dozen songs is a lot for a night with this unassuming artist, yet the capacity audience of more than 1,700 seemed to recognize all but his new material. Mullins was joined for much of his performance by his singularly named friend and sometimes cowriter, Beaker. Adding rhythm guitar and on one occasion handling a lap dulcimer, Beaker didn't speak or sing a word into a microphone all evening.

Mullins piano work is not always precise, but it is fast, frilly, and melodic. His pumped-up version of the Amy Grant song "Love Of Another Kind" which he wrote - was a treat. "Amy did it wrong," quipped the artist. He also did another Grant tune plenty to say he wrote, "Sing Your Praise To The Lord," extending the song with some added musical passages and lyrics which are part of his original version. Mullins does enjoy talking to an audience, which is why his concerts can be lengthy. Sometimes his statements need further elaboration.

His disdain for politics is wellknown. He is unconventional enough to leave some folks wondering exactly where he's coming from on some issues. One of Friday's spiritual discourses from the barefoot, long haired performer was how things of the church and Christianity seem foolish to the world. Musically, Mullins is nearly a prototype. Some of his tunes are so packed tight with lyrics, it's hard to get them all in, as on "What Trouble Are Giants," and "With The Wonder." But his songs reflect a poet's insights and a gift for sharing truth in a new way. The artist moved through many of his standards, ("If I Stand,' "The Other Side Of The World") with the audience needing no invitation to join in the singing.

Mullins' hammer dulcimer came in on "One Thing." And he broke in some music - like "'The Just Shall Live,' and "What Susan Said," from his new album. There's still too much to say through the words and music of Rich Mullins.