Earlier this week I had the opportunity, through the magic of the internet, to sit down and interview musician Belinda Jane. You can read the entire interview below, and download "Fire Falls" for free
here.
(Psst! If you look carefully you might just find out where to get
more free music!)
Matt: Why don’t you do a short bio and introduce yourself?
Belinda Jane: Ok, well ever since I can remember I’ve been a singer. My father was a full time music minister, songwriter and lead singer in a gospel quartet. So as you can imagine, I spent my early childhood learning to sing and perform for whatever audience would listen. As I grew older, I gained confidence and began singing solos church to church. I also sang alto in my dad’s gospel quartet, "The Singing Churchmen with Belinda." I cut my teeth on Southern Gospel and Country Western, but as I grew into a teen, a really liked contemporary styles and began integrating those styles into my music. Those were the days of Sandi Patti, Michael W. Smith, Carman and the like. I still liked singing country too!
Belinda Jane: My father passed away when I was 14, and as you can imagine that was the most difficult time in my life. I continued the legacy he left for me by traveling from church to church, singing during worship services. My mother, who is still right by my side, acted as my booking agent. I sang all around town for various events, fund raisers, weddings and parties. In addition, I competed on the Literary and Performing Arts team in my high school. After graduation, I enrolled immediately in the Fine Arts Department at Armstrong Atlantic State University and Majored in Vocal Performance. During my college days, I spent a lot of time singing in the Savannah Symphony Chorale, Armstrong Chorale and Ensemble, Armstrong Jazz Ensemble, in addition to my solo performances.
Belinda Jane: To make a long story short, I finished college and began in the working world....nothing to do with music. But always in the back of my mind, I knew that the Lord had something special for me to do. Two years ago, he brought that vision to life when I embarked on my first serious project with Creative Soul Records in Nashville, Tennessee.
Belinda Jane: Wow that was long...
Matt: That was a impressive display of typing skills.
Belinda Jane: Oh yes, I am a writer too. I have a degree in English too.
Belinda Jane: That story, I could tell in my sleep. LOL.
Matt: That’s a pretty impressive story. Sounds like music is your life.
Belinda Jane: A big part of it. Of course, God’s given me other jobs as well. I have four kids.
Matt: Looking at your website, I see you have a CD out called "Heart of God". Tell me a bit about it.
Belinda Jane: Well, I always say that my goal is to share the heart of God through my songs, specifically the ones on that project. The title of the project is taken from cut 6, a song called "The Heart of God," a remake of the classic hymn "Near to the Heart of God." It is one of the first songs that I learned to play on the piano. I want people to understand God’s love for them...He is a loving Father, who wants His children to draw close to Him and live their lives in comfort and sweet peace. His love for us cannot fully be realized; however, the unconditional love we have for our children helps us to understand it.
Matt: That’s so true.
Matt: Tell me a bit "Fire Falls".
Belinda Jane: One of my favorite songs on the project...
Belinda Jane: To me it’s a challenge to those who have not yet given their heart to Jesus Christ.
Belinda Jane: Life is difficult for all of us, Christian or not. So the question that this song asks is "what will you do" when there seems to be no answers to your problems or when they’re no one to turn to, or even cry to? There is such a simple answer, yet so many people just reject the obvious. I’ve talked to people who say, "Why would someone die for me?" "I’m not sure I can believe that my mistakes can be forgiven." They just can’t seem to see past the flames. There are so many young people today who are hurting. They are alone in this world and the things that provide relief for them are demonic at best. I’ve seen kids cutting themselves, taking pills, drinking, using strong drugs and even turning to sex to get away from the flames that, as the song says, "Lick at your feet."
Belinda Jane: Jesus Christ is the only one who can extinguish these fires...I am reminded of this verse, "For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Belinda Jane: Shall I preach more? LOL.
Matt: So true. But that reminds me, I was going to ask if you had any interesting stories you’d like to share about the life of a musician.
Belinda Jane: I am in the middle of starting a non profit organization to reach out to troubled teens. But let me answer your current question, then I’ll tell you about the non profit project.
Matt: Alright.
Belinda Jane: Well, as I was tracking the Heart of God project, I was blessed to have some really great players recording my music. Dave Cleveland, probably one the the best guitarists I’ve ever met, kept me in awe as he tracked my songs. I remember specifically when we were recording "Let Me." I wrote the song as a testimony to my children, but it sounded sort of like a country song. I say sort of...ever heard of Colin Raye? Anyway, we decided that if it were going to appeal to kids, then it better be rock and roll. So we changed it. My daughter, Sarah, (7) sang an opening intro of Jesus Loves the Little Children. Well, when Dave added the guitars, I wanted him to do a really cool solo of Jesus Loves the Little Children in the bridge. So we set up to have him play it and it was amazing!
Matt: Colin Raye? Afraid not...
Belinda Jane: It was like watching a miracle. He played the solo only once. The percussionist, Steven Brewster, came out of the back room and told Dave to put the guitar down. He was done for the day...I remember his exact words. "Just put it down and walk away." It was that good!
Belinda Jane: You don’t know Colin Raye? Oh my gosh. Well what about George Strait?
Matt: Umm, no...
Belinda Jane: Most musicians will tell you that the studio is a magic place where really cool things happen.
Belinda Jane: Do you know any country singers?
Matt: Martina McBride and Johnny Cash.
Belinda Jane: Okay, good enough. I was starting to worry there...
Matt: Lol.
Matt: I could probably do better with bluegrass
Belinda Jane: Oh boy, I wouldn’t know a soul.
Matt: Then were even.
Belinda Jane: GOOD
Matt: What were you saying about a teen outreach?
Belinda Jane: What other juicy details would you like?
Belinda Jane: Oh yes, well it has been on my heart a long time, to establish a non-profit to help teens in crisis. Locally, I work to support a Christian Maternity Home and that is really where this idea was born. We will begin by reaching out to those who utilize the crisis pregnancy centers...we will give them a non-denominational packet that will demonstrate to them the "Heart" of God. We are looking for sponsors right now to help fund this project. In just one of the crisis pregnancy centers, the statistics are outrageous! Somewhere between 70-100 girls go in for testing every month. The local maternity home only can house 12 girls at a time...so there are enormous gaps that someone needs to fill.
Belinda Jane: We’d like to take this idea and then move into teen groups, churches, schools, etc. and show them the Heart of the Father. We are looking for a really catchy name and funding to get this thing started. My dream will be to have a network of folks across the country to call on, a website that teens can get to a get real live help, 24 hours a day, and a group of speakers, singers, preachers and teachers all dedicated to helping teens in crisis.
Matt: Sweet. That’s awesome!
Belinda Jane: I am already going to youth groups and doing what I term "tough teen talks" and teen rallies, determined to make the church kids better disciples. We teach purity, royalty and honor.
Matt: royalty?
Belinda Jane: We also teach them to love each other unconditionally, to accept each other and to take this love into a dying world.
Matt: Back up a bit. What do you mean by royalty?
Belinda Jane: Yep, royalty! We are children of the King. We have a divine inheritance and purpose. ROYALTY deals with our true identity in Christ. Modern society is clamoring for young people to "build self-esteem" in ways that Christ never intended. So when we speak of Royalty, we focus on defining who we are in Christ...His royal child.
Matt: That’s cool. You don’t here the term royalty used much any more, except on the "Yes, I am a Princess: My Father is the King of Kings" t-shirts.
Belinda Jane: Well I’d like to think a little deeper than that.
Matt: Yeah, I know what you mean. Same concept, different depth level
Belinda Jane: Well teens are smart, you’ve got to tell them something they’ve never heard before.
Belinda Jane: Or at least take a different angle
Belinda Jane: What else you got for me?
Matt: Not much. Any closing statements you’d like to make?
Belinda Jane: I always like to share my fav verse...
Belinda Jane: Jeremiah 29: 11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Belinda Jane: I think this is an awesome promise! Check out my new blog "Breaking the Barriers."
Matt: Sweet! And if people want to check out your CD, they can get it on your website?
Belinda Jane: I’d love for folks to get the CD and be on the lookout for a new one soon! The next project is going to be a more contemporary sound and less Inspirational. They can get the CD se
veral ways...the website is good
www.belindajanemusic.comBelinda Jane: Or they can find it on iTunes, Rhapsody, in your local music store with MY MEDIA BURN BAR,
Indieheaven.com,
Myspace, and
Shoutlife. I’m everywhere! Please call your local stations and request the music! That is one way everyone can help! Also, for all your readers, if they will join my mailing list, I will send them a FREE mp3 and some other cool stuff!
Belinda Jane: FREE MUSIC AND FREE STUFF...Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
Belinda Jane: I’ll also be offering text messaging soon, so be on the lookout for that!
Matt: Awesome! Free is always good with me
Belinda Jane: Yep, ME TOO! Heck, I’ll give them TWO FREE SONGS!
Matt: "That’s right folks, she said two FREE SONGS!" Lol...
Belinda Jane: I am still booking for 2008. Please, if you’d like me to come to your event, church, wedding, etc...CALL ME! I book my own gigs! 912-695-0939! I need to fill up the rest of the year, so I hope my phone rings off the hook! For those who call with a gig, I’ll give a FREE SIGNED CD. Now, how’s that for incentive?
Belinda Jane: Pray for me as I make this trip to Nashville at the end of the month. I’m up for Inspirational Artist of the Year! What an honor! Thanks for a great interview Matt!
Matt: No problem! Thanks for talking to me!
Belinda Jane: I enjoyed it! Anytime!
Matt: Oh, and good luck and God bless with the new CD, ministry, and life.
Belinda Jane: LUCK has nothing to do with it! LOL
Belinda Jane: Hope to hear from you again soon.
Matt: True. Talk to you later.