It's been 12 years in the making for my new album. Can't really delve into exactly why but I know the God's timing is God's timing so I don't question, I just move forward when I feel I've received the marching orders. Some of the songs are more than 20 years old, some have been crafted in between and others are brand new. The studio I'm in has more stuff available than Michael Jackson had making Thriller and this is for God's kingdom, not this one so we're pullin' out all the stops on this one.
As musicians, songwriters, artists, and music business people, we all want the same thing, which is to be recognized for our talent. The important thing is the underlying purpose driving that desire. I think many of us start out with a meaningful purpose for the betterment of mankind, not the destruction thereof. But, along with every milestone of semi-success, come painful moments of rejection and humiliation. This can lead to a slow hardening of the heart until, pretty soon, you forget about what inspired you about music in the first place. I see a lot of competitive, boastful output from some of today's music stars and executives in what they project. But looking into their eyes, the windows of the soul, I read quite a different story. Because if they were really being truthful in their output, they would be including lyrics that go beyond just boasting about what they have or what they want by including what they're willing to do to get it. It makes me wonder about the integrity of those behind it all. Artists like myself will never be widely celebrated or recognized by a narcissistic hierarchy that cares nothing about the spiritual health of society because the artists are too focused on success, while their facilitators are only focused on profit. Yet, there are thousands of people around the world who have benefited from and will continue to benefit from the honesty and purity of your work. And why? Because you actually still care about other people and where our world is going. If you are an artist or an executive with something wonderful to contribute to the world, then stay on the path. like Tom Petty in the song "I Won't Back Down." Stay true to your calling and vision. Because when all the dust settles, you'll be able to sleep at night knowing that you stood for something good and made it available for anyone with an ear to recognize, giving them a moment of encouragement and quite possibly being directly responsible for positive change in their lives.