Please tell us about your musical journey in Christ. How long have you been making music? Any formal training? Professional experience?
I didn't get to know Jesus personally until later in my life. I was 29 when God's grace and mercy got a hold of me and I accepted the precious gift of hope and life that Jesus offers to all who will come to Him. I realized then that I wanted to use any of my musical abilities and talents (and anything else I had) to serve Him and glorify Him. I had been trained as a classical pianist and also had some vocal training - and had played in clubs and bars for much of my early adulthood. I now wanted to use all that experience to tell the world about the King of Kings! I began serving in our local church and also had the opportunity to start writing with some really gifted Christian writers in Nashville. God has been extremely faithful and generous to bring many people into my life that have helped guide me and encourage me in both my spiritual and my musical journey.... It's a never-ending journey where I continue to surrender anything and everything I have back to Him - that He might use my gifts to build His kingdom and bring the life-changing news of the gospel to others.
I am inspired my many genres of music - most deeply when the beauty of God is seen - which can happen even in a simple melody. I love classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin etc but my most favorite type of music is that which draws us closer to God and invites us to know Him more, usually because there are lyrics attached that inspire us. The Getty music group (including Matt Boswell, Matt Papa and Matt Merker) is currently writing fantastic, Spirit-filled songs that speak of God's greatness, love and mercy and invite us to respond. In a more contemporary vein I enjoy some of the new Elevation worship music that finds a very relatable way to express deep theology under the leadership of Steven Furtick. One of my favorite solo artists right now is Danny Gokey - I think his music is very accessible to this generation and always has a message that points hearts to Jesus. I also spend a lot of time listening to Southern Gospel - groups like Legacy 5, Brian Free and Assurance, Joseph Habedank, Gold City and the Lefevre Quartet. There are so many great vocalists, musicians and writers out there who are using their gifts for the glory of God.
From a songwriting perspective, music has made me very carefully examine what I believe and what the Bible says on certain topics. I would never want my music to lead someone in the wrong direction - and I want anything that I write or sing about to lead people to some kind of action or reaction. This means I need to dig deep into the truths of God to make sure they are expressed clearly and in a way that makes people want to respond. Writing has also made me sensitive to some of the serious battles and struggles other people are going through - and I seek to find ways to use God's promises to bring hope and peace into those struggles.
What projects are you working on now? What are your hopes for them?
I just finished work on a song called "BEAUTIFUL LIFE" - now available on YOUTUBE and SPOTIFY. It is my hope that this song will remind us all of God's many blessings and goodness, no matter what we are walking through.
I enjoy writing and singing both solo type and more congregational type worship songs. I have made many of these songs available with free lead sheets on my website below. https://heartofworship.online/
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