Brady's Bio
Although he is just over a quarter century old, Toops already has made some major accomplishments, including graduating at the top of his high school class and playing for a professional baseball team. Along with his brother, Casey, and his sister, Mickie, Brady Toops was born 26 years ago to George and Kim Toops of New London. The triplets also have a younger brother, Skip, and a younger sister, Wendy.
A three-sport athlete in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball, Toops excelled at baseball. After high school, he attended the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville on an academic full-ride scholarship. Toops played catcher on the Razorbacks’ baseball team and hit a memorable ninth-inning grand slam during the 2004 Fayetteville Regional Tournament.
After college, Toops was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals professional ball team and played in their minor league system from 2004-2006. While living in Kansas City during the off-season, Toops was part of the ministry at the International House of Prayer, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.
Toops characterizes himself as “half singer-songwriter, half worship leader.” “I definitely want to be a voice to a generation that’s losing its way. If I could do music and be a voice to speak to a generation, that would be fun.” While his music has a Christian influence, Toops said he doesn’t like to be labeled. “I’m influenced by both secular and Christian artists,” he said. “Most of my songs are about what’s happening inside of me. Spirituality, Christianity, that’s what’s inside of me.”
On the Christian music scene, Toops counts Anthony Skinner, John Mark McMillan, and Kevin Prosch as major influences. Secularly speaking, Brady is influenced by Damien Rice, Ben Harper and David Grey. “I like people that are raw in their music,” he said. “I don’t like over-polished stuff. I think people appreciate the human aspect of songs, in a day where electronics can fix just about anything.”
While it may not seem like college and professional baseball would be the best places to find God and cultivate his Christian faith, Toops said he feels drawn to spirituality. “I’ve been fascinated by God, who He is, His ways, and what He’s thinking about. If God is more than a philosophy, more than a fairy tale, then He is worth finding out about.” Toops expresses his search for God and spirituality through his song writing and musical style.
“With song writing, the challenge is to put forth what comes to you and not from someone else. The best music comes from when you stay honest and true to yourself.” Although he wouldn’t be opposed to a career in music, Toops said he writes and sings songs because music is a part of who he is. “I would love to be able to make money doing what I love, but, more than that, more than trying to spark a professional career, I have songs I love and I want to share them with the world. Creativity longs to be shared.”
(Excerpts from Renaissance Man in the Lakes Area Review written by Dori Moudry)