| Music is a very integral part of who I am. I have always had a deep love for music and used to sing with my cousins back in the day, as well as with my college suite mates. I know for me, and I am sure for several others, that music is very moving both emotionally and spiritually. Music for me invokes joy, laughter and dancing, as well as tears and memories of heartbreak.....It is very powerful! With regard to Christian music, you can also find encouragement in music, which can lift on a day that is not going so well. And, I have also found that Christian music can also have a healing and calming effect in times of pain, sorrow or discomfort. I love to sing, and I heard and received the call to be a worship leader during a fast about 10 or so years ago. I thought that was the ultimate call, to sing in church on Sunday mornings. But, as I began to move through the past 10 years, I am beginning to uncover more about myself and my calling. For example, I learned that it felt natural to sing in a band. It felt natural to record when I first had the opportunity to record a song on a Christmas CD with two of my friends. I did not know where all that would lead, but in a dark time in my life, ironically a couple of days before my 33rd birthday, I heard and received the call to record as I was reading the back of a CD of another Christian artist as I was getting my emissions checked!! Strange, I know! J I did not know what to record and how it would all become possible! I had a friend begin helping me out with an original song. Then, I bumped into another friend a couple of months later that offered to record me and some originals I had written "while I was in a holding pattern" waiting to see what was next! I have also felt the call to ministry, and I am not sure if that is through being a Worship Pastor or some other form, but I definitely know music is a major part of what I am supposed to be doing.
My friends and I competed in the Atlanta Fest competition in June of 2008. I had never stepped out into the music arena in that fashion, but it was an opportunity that could potentially lead to getting signed! We did not get signed, which was a slight disappointment (as I was ready to charge full-steam ahead)! The very next week, I tried to get back in the saddle. I was browsing through opportunities on Sonic Bids, when I came across Empty Vessel Music and the fact that they were looking to sign 10 new artists. I had a desire to sign with a label, but did not know much about signing with a label. I reviewed the website and decided to go ahead and take a chance! What did I have to lose, right! I did not hear back right away, but the very week I was thinking about it, I received an e-mail from Gerry Van Mansfeld, the Executive Director of Empty Vessel Music, stating that EV wanted to sign me as an artist. I think I was in shock, and still am some days to be quite honest! I researched EV in more detail and decided to go for it, although the bundle of nerves naturally came along with it! Then, I was surfing the web again one Sunday morning a few months later, researching record labels, and came across Tate Music Group. After reading about Tate a bit, I submitted some songs, and, to my surprise, after a prayer shot up to God about my future in music and the next steps, Brianne Webb from Tate Music Group contacted me and asked if I wanted to sign! This was another great opportunity, so, after a lot of thought and making sure this would be a good move...I signed the agreement with Tate...and that is where I am today. The future...still to be determined!
But, my mission......to break down the walls of ministry for women....and to tell the truth! |
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