Cadia / Stories Behind the Songs

Friday, November 14, 2008 at 3:24 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com

tags: cadia, stories behind the songs, tori smith, courtney myers

Alisa Childers Interview

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 1:18 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com

ITT: When did your love of music start?

Alisa: When I was very young, my parents made me take piano lessons, and I hated them! I was a very competitive gymnast at the time, and I spent hours every day practicing and perfecting my craft.

I think the singular moment where I realized that music was who I am, came when I was about eleven. After much nagging my parents agreed to let me quit piano. I remember sitting down at the piano with no sheet music or leering glances from the teacher judging my every move, and I began to play. I wrote my first song, and I felt totally connected with God, myself and other people.

My dad is some-what of a rock and roll history buff, and he would play me all kinds of records. I was so deeply moved by music. I have always felt like I never really fit in with most people. It's not a negative thing, I've just never been a “go with the crowd” kind of person. Music made me feel like I belonged somewhere...like what I was feeling mattered.

At fourteen, I began guitar lessons, and I started to devote so much time and energy to it. I only took guitar for a couple of years, but it was enough to give me an overall understanding of melody, chord structure, and picking patterns. I wish I would have stayed with it ! I can accompany myself on piano and guitar, but I'm hardly accomplished on either one. One day I'd love to take some more lessons, and actually be able to call myself a musician!

ITT: When / how did you decide that you wanted to sing / write professionally? Any advice / encouragement for InTheTimes.com girls who desire to be a professional singer like yourself?

Alisa: I've never really thought of it in those exact terms, but I knew from that moment at the piano when I was eleven that music is what I was created for. It's not something I do, but it's just who I am. I began writing and singing every spare moment I had, and never really had a “fall back plan” I still don't. I don't know what I would do if I became unable to make music!

My only advice would be to strive for deep things. Never be satisfied to make music that isn't true to who you are and your own experience. Don't ever water it down because you are trying to appeal to a bigger audience. To compromise who you are to sell some records is not only a death blow to art, it flies in the face of the whole plan that God lays out so beautifully in scripture.

ITT: Give InTheTimes.com girls a little insight on the songwriting process for you--how long have you been writing, is there a specific type of song that you prefer to write or that you feel you are gifted to write, etc. ?

Alisa: Sometimes I don't feel like I am even writing songs, they just come to me. Sometimes they come in my sleep, when I'm in the car, on a plane, and almost never at a convenient time! I've written many a song on the backs of receipts, napkins, gum wrappers and envelopes.

I'm not one of those people who can make an appointment to write and then conjure something out of thin air. I have friends who can do that, but I am not one of them. Usually the lyrics come first, accompanied by some sort of melody, and then the song really takes shape when I translate that to the guitar or piano.

I also have discovered that I am a terrible co-writer! In ZOEgirl, the girls and I were able to come together and get a flow going with lyrics and music, but outside of that, my co-writing endeavors have been highly unsuccessful. I do my best work when I'm by myself, working at my own pace to properly convey what I'm feeling.

ITT: Above all, what is the goal of your music / concerts--why you do what you do, what you hope your songs will communicate to the listeners, etc. ?

Alisa: I guess I feel the most successful when the music provokes something in the people. If music doesn't provoke you, there is no reason to listen to it.

I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure I say everything I planned on saying at each concert, but I don't feel that way anymore. I have come to realize that each concert is different. The audience is different, their mood, where they're at, and how I'm feeling really has an affect as well.

I have had people come up and comment on how much a song touched them, but they were applying the music to something they have been through, that I may not totally understand. It is a beautiful thing when you write something and it means something else to each person.

At the end of the day, I would hope that my music would bring people closer to God, and be a vehicle in which they can make their peace with Him.

tags: alisa girard childers, zoegirl, zoe girl, celebrity interview

Alli Rogers Interview

Wednesday, November 12th 2008 at 6:24 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com

ITT: When did your love of music start?

Alli: I started singing in church when I was very young. As far back as I can remember, I have been drawn to music. It’s just one of those things I was born loving. I was a very imaginative kid and loved any sort of creative writing. When I decided to learn to play the guitar at 13, writing my own songs seemed like the most natural progression. My parents have always been encouraging and never pressured me to be something other than who Jesus made me to be. When they saw that I was drawn to music, and seemed to be gifted at it, they nourished that. I have never known anything but love and support from them, and I think that support has been a crucial part of my story. Most children who discover something they are passionate about at an early age want to do that forever, and I wanted to sing. God has given me many opportunities to do just that, and here I am, still singing! The Lord has shown me such grace.

ITT: When / how did you decide that you wanted to sing / write professionally? Any advice / encouragement for InTheTimes.com girls who desire to be a professional singer like yourself?

Alli: Nothing has ever moved me as deeply as music does, so from the time I was young and singing in church, there was nothing else I wanted to do. Of course, the specifics of how I am involved in music have changed as I've gotten older, but that mysterious quality music has to speak to our souls was the reason I was initially drawn to the profession and still is the reason I'm drawn to it today.

There is no application or ladder you can climb for this job. Everybody has a different story of how they came to make a living with their music, which tells me that God is involved with the way our lives turn out and He will direct our paths.

I would encourage anyone interested in professional music, to walk through whatever doors are open to them and to be diligent in their work. Be creative with your gifts!

ITT: Give InTheTimes.com girls a little insight on the songwriting process for you--how long have you been writing, is there a specific type of song that you prefer to write or that you feel you are gifted to write, etc. ?

Alli: It wasn't until I started co-writing with professional songwriters that I realized there was technique to songwriting! Before that, it was a purely emotional experience for me, yet, some of my favorite stuff came out of that naïve perspective.

I don't really approach a song the same way twice, each seems to have it's own life, but something has to inspire me in order to begin. A lot of times it'll be a thought or an experience I keep thinking about, and before I know it, I have a song about it! Out of the heart, the mouth speaks. If I hear a story that touches me, some emotional connection is made and I write from that place of understanding. Sometimes there are moments when I'm writing that I feel the closest to God.

I feel like I am closely connected to the world of emotions, which can be dangerous because every strength comes with a weakness and I've struggled with being overly attached, overly sad, or overly anxious. If there is an emotion I'm feeling, it is often magnified and I have a hard time seeing past it, so songwriting is often a form of closure for me when this happens; it's my way of releasing it, whether it's autobiographical or not.

ITT: Above all, what is the goal of your music / concerts--why you do what you do, what you hope your songs will communicate to the listeners, etc. ?

Alli: I play music because I hope to inspire people. I hope to move them, to stir up thought, to provoke questions and encourage people to keep searching. God is not intimidated by our questions, by our anger, or by our frustration. I think He understands our pain and wants us to cry out (even if we don’t know who we are crying to) so that HE can answer us.

I have been constantly inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 8:2-3, “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

I play music to glorify God. I hope to communicate His faithfulness, His sovereignty, His salvation to Christians and non-Christians. We all need that hope.

tags: alli rogers, celebrity interview

Chelsie Boyd Interview

Tuesday, November 11th 2008 at 4:30 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com

ITT: When did your love of music start?

Chelsie: I have had a love of music my whole life. My mom and dad have always told me that even when I was a baby, I would stand up in my crib and sing as loud as I could. I play one instrument, the piano. It's still fairly new to me, but I'm getting the hand of it. I have partially written a few songs and I hope to record some of my own songs on my next CD.

ITT: When / how did you decide that you wanted to sing / write professionally? Any advice / encouragement for InTheTimes.com girls who desire to be a professional singer like yourself?

Chelsie: I've pretty much always wanted to sing professionally. Of course, I've always played around with the idea of becoming an astronaut, zoo keeper or joining the circus, you know the normal stuff, but ministering through song has always been at the top of my list of career options.

To girls who want to pursue a singing career—take advantage of every opportunity that is given. It is so important to persevere and follow your dreams. Sometimes it may take a while, but that doesn't mean that you aren't going to make it. If you believe in yourself, others will too.

ITT: Above all, what is the goal of your music / concerts--why you do what you do, what you hope your songs will communicate to the listeners, etc. ?

Chelsie: The goal that I have for my music is to inspire kids, teenagers, and even adults to get out into the world and use their gifts for God. I think two of the most common excuses people use for not doing that are, “I don't have enough time” or “I'm too young or old”

As for not having enough time, I know exactly what they mean. I'm busy all of the time with traveling around, schoolwork, extra-curricular activities, and trying to manage a social life. It's hard to do, but it's all worth it when you think of the people you are ministering to.

As for your age, you are never too young or old to do something for Jesus. I've been at this thing since I was about 9 years old, and I can say it was worth it, starting out that young because of all of the experiences.

In my mind, I know that if we all just pitch in and do something for God, we can change this world.

ITT: What is life like on the road?

Chelsie: Life on the road never gets boring. My parents always go with me, so whenever we return home from a show, we always have new “inside jokes”. It sometimes gets tricky with school, but I have to learn how to focus and keep myself on track. It’s all worth it. I always have fun.

ITT: What was it like shooting your first music video?

Chelsie: Shooting a music video was quite an experience. There are a lot of things that go on behind the camera before the shooting actually begins, like getting the lighting perfect, making sure everything is in place, and other things like that. We had someone come and do my hair and makeup, and although it looked as if I didn’t have that much makeup on, I felt like I had mud on my face! We actually finished shooting in one day, so it didn’t take long at all.

* BONUS - Watch Chelsie's first music video "Nothing Back" from the Enter In album below!

ITT: What was it like singing at Ft. Benning?

Chelsie: Singing at Ft. Benning was one of my favorite things I've ever done with my band. I was very intimidated when I first walked out on stage, but the longer I sang, I noticed that the soldiers staring back at me were normal people just like everybody else. It was really awesome seeing them singing along with me. I had the opportunity to talk to some of them afterwards. I just wanted to cry every time I shook one of their hands because I look up to them so much. They were the sweetest guys I have ever met.

* BONUS - Watch footage from Chelsie's Ft. Benning visit below!

tags: chelsie boyd, celebrity interview

Jenn Weber Interview

Monday, November 10th 2008 at 2 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com

ITT: When did your love of music start?

Jenn: My musical interests go back to when I was very young! This can be primarily attributed to the fact that I was raised in a musical home. My dad was the Worship Pastor at my church growing up and mom had a degree in Music Education. They sang together quite a bit and really gave me a love for music from the beginning.

My parents started me on piano when I was four, which was sort of a love-hate relationship for me. I never really learned how to read music...I was always making up my own songs or listening to the tape of a song and then playing it by ear. When you're four, you don't really understand that Mozart is probably a better composer than you are.

I also began playing violin in the 4th grade and then when I was 13, I asked my dad to teach me some chords on the guitar. He obliged... and I was in love!

ITT: When / how did you decide that you wanted to sing / write professionally? Any advice / encouragement for InTheTimes.com girls who desire to be a professional singer like yourself?

Jenn: I began writing songs when I was around 13, the songs got better as I learned more about the craft of songwriting, and I was excited about sharing my love for the Lord through music.

I began singing at local churches and won a talent competition in Nashville at 15. A couple of years later, I met John Mays, an A&R in town who took me under his wing and encouraged me to begin co-writing with some songwriters in town.

I visited Nashville a couple of times during my senior year of high school and really enjoyed the co-writing experience. After I graduated in 2003, I intended to attend college in the fall, but God had other plans. I felt the Lord leading me to move to Nashville, as He opened door after door, I knew it was indeed His will. I already knew quite a few people in town who were really willing to work with me, and so that's how it all began! I think I always knew in my gut this was what I was going to end up doing, but when push came to shove, it was really the Lord nudging my heart towards this ministry, even in the times I was most fearful and discouraged.

God can use each one of us for His glory, if we submit ourselves to His will for our lives. There was a time I wondered if success was only realized in a record deal and/or a hit radio single. I found this was not so when the label I had been signed to went bankrupt and I was forced to re-evaluate what “success” looked like—most importantly, in the Lord's eyes.

I would encourage each girl who feels a calling in her heart from the Lord to worship Him through music, to honor Him by doing so, whether that is in her home church, at a local nursing home, or through writing songs in her bedroom to the Lord.

If the Lord chooses to open the doors for her music to be more wide-spread, that is up to Him and His perfect timing. Nothing is too hard for God; and I would encourage each of you to be faithful to whatever God has called you to do. I know sometimes this isn't easy to hear, and I know what it is to desire more in your life, but remember, God promises that “He, who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

ITT: Give InTheTimes.com girls a little insight on the songwriting process for you--how long have you been writing, is there a specific type of song that you prefer to write or that you feel you are gifted to write, etc. ?

Jenn: Every song comes differently. I gather ideas from relationships, church sermons, books I'm reading, music I'm listening to—even conversations I overhear. It's truly hilarious when I get an idea in a restaurant and I'm scrambling for a napkin to write it down. This is especially difficult in fancy restaurants with those swanky cloth napkins...

Sometimes the idea for the song comes first, other times the melody is in my head, and many times they come together, there really is no set pattern for me.

I want to write songs that are real. My aim is to write songs that meet people where they are...honest songs that are candid about life and a relationship with Christ. I write a lot about what God is teaching me personally, in hopes that someone else will be able to relate to it and make it their own “theme song”.

ITT: Above all, what is the goal of your music / concerts--why you do what you do, what you hope your songs will communicate to the listeners, etc. ?

Jenn: I get so excited about God and what He's doing...I'm thrilled to be a part of it all! I feel compelled to do “what I do” because I want everyone to know that God is REAL and He wants to teach us, love on us, and bring us through this life.

I hope to paint a picture of Christ in my music that is tangible. I want to touch God with my heart and sense that He is alive and active in my life...and I want that for others, too!

I want to sing about how great our God is, and how trials build character. I want to encourage others to wait expectantly on God, and to believe that He is faithful. If I can evoke any of these responses, at the end of the day, through God's great mercy, I feel I can lay my head on my pillow at night and know I've done my part.

tags: jenn weber sinclair, celebrity interview