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Twelve months later, I've had a #2 record on iTunes, performed in front of 15,000 on the main stage at Lifest, and landed a spot opening for 2 major Christian acts on a packed, fall tour. This year has been the wildest ride of my life. Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned as full-time worship musician:
1. God’s Law NEVER violates God’s will
It’s a mantra I repeat to myself each time I get anxious about an upcoming bill or expense. God cannot lie. He will never forsake or abandon me. He is faithful. I'm confident that life as a worship leader is where God is calling me, yet oftentimes, in order to be obedient to that call, I must take big risks ...risks that look to the outside world as downright foolish: starting a trip when there's not enough money to get home, flushing my savings to pay for a photo shoot, being honest in a business dealing where the norm and the easier thing to do is to be dishonest...
Yet every time, when God has asked me to give him everything, He has returned onto me seven-fold. When circumstances were impossible, God provided. Each. And. Every. Time.
Whatever your big dream is, pursue it with reckless abandon. If it's truly God's will for your life, everything - from bills to family responsibilities to your daily business practices - will be provided for, because God cannot lie. His will for your life will never violate His law.
In the beginning, I was deeply intimidated by artists who were better or further along than me. At parties I wouldn't speak to them, I'd certainly never ask to hang out with them, and I feared ever having to share a stage or play a venue that they had previously played. But then, one day, I watched this guitar player I knew get the chance to meet a world-class player. My friend's reaction astonished me. "Dude," he began, "I am such a fan of that last record you put out. I've been trying to learn that rift, but I can't quite get the finger pattern down. How did you do it?" I watched the two musicians bond and at the end of their discussion, my friend's skill had improved and he had also endeared himself to the professional. Today, that friend is playing full-time and enjoying a successful career.
The truth is, we're only going to be as good as the company we keep. If you want to be a better player, spend time with the better players, learn from them, be mentored by them. See them as either a friend or the standard bearer for how much more you need to learn and strive for. This is also a truth when looking at musicians rising below you. If a newer act is having momentum, rather than fear that they'll eclipse you, befriend them, and then step up your game.
3. Persistence and work ethic will always beat talent
One of the most trying experiences I had this year was on a flight next to another new, Christian artist. As the plane was taking off he said, "I don't understand why you're having such success right now. I mean, no offense, but I'm a better singer than you, a better musician and I'm a really good songwriter."
That comment was the crack that quickly opened the flood gate of insecurity. I began to get really anxious before performances, convinced that it was only a matter of time before people realized that there were better singers out there, better writers, and better musicians.
Before the year had passed, that artist on the plane, frustrated by his lack of growth, gave up the dream, left Nashville and moved home. I watched worship leaders change genres, hoping to find more success in pop music, only to attend a party and hear that they were quitting too, and starting graduate school in the Fall.
I remember a coffee date with a struggling artist, one who I had identified as better than me. "Well, have you reached out to media outlets in your niche?" "No," he replied. "How often are you updating your social media and writing new songs?" "Eh, I don't really like doing those things," he responded. Then he looked at me, "hey, how did you book that gig two weeks ago?" Confused, I responded, "I called and asked. Have you ever asked anyone to let you come and play?" He looked down at his coffee cup, "no." He still hasn't been able to quit the day job.
The biggest lesson for me was that this business has never been about being the most talented, because if it were, I certainly would be out of a job.
No matter where you see yourself on the talent spectrum, keep trying, keep moving. You're only gonna get better, and your fan base will only keep growing.
4. There are NO gate keepers
I’ve seen a lot of Christian musicians (especially in the Catholic market) really sabotage their chances of success this year because they THINK certain publishers or promoters are the “key” to success in the market. They focus all of their time and energy trying to get their attention, impress them, to "be chosen."
Here's the hard truth, the thought that any one person is the gatekeeper to your success is a myth. It’s not true. We live in the digital age - your "big break" can be anywhere and sometimes you've got to make it for yourself. Even more often, you're going to need a string of "big breaks" to ensure continued success.
Your leverage as an artist is not the label guy but your fan base - and nothing will motivate that big business player to work with you than recognizing that you are leading a proud and excited fan base.
Which brings me to my next lesson,
They are literally the pillars who hold you up and allow you to live the life of an artist - without their support, you would still be working as a bartender. If the idea of strangers wanting to get to know you frustrates you, if you have to keep “your privacy” and refuse to update your social media, if you don’t want to do the meet-and-greet after the show, then please, find a new career.
These guys are your best friends, your allies, your cheerleaders. Love them, thank them, and always treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.
6. If you’re not regularly facing your demons, you’re not doing it right
If you spend a lot of time with me, you've heard this a bunch: That which is most sacred is most profaned. The enemy attacks things in the order of how holy they are. That which is most holy gets attacked first, with the most intensity and ferocity - and everything else get attacked according to the degree of its holiness.
In the human experience, what makes a person holy, but fidelity to God's will. Your faithfulness and obedience to God's call is both what makes you holy AND what the enemy is most attacking in your life.
Meaning: if your call in this life is to be a musician, than this path is going to be a minefield of anxiety, doubt, fear and insecurity.
But why is this so?
As I try to make sense of it I've come to think that it is through the wounds of Christ that we are healed, and thus, as persons made in Christ's image, it is by facing our own wounds that Christ heals us. God doesn't just want you to be a successful musician, he wants you to be a holy one, one without fear, one without doubt, one living fully alive. But love can only cast out fear if we first face it.
Very nice Victoria. Count me in as one of your BIGGEST fans. I don't know if I told this when we met at the Belmont Abbey, but my older sister's name was Victoria, and we called her Vicky. She passed in 2006 of breast cancer, but was a very holy woman and called herself in Spanish, 'Victoria de Dios.' She promised to pray for all my siblings and family (I'm the youngest of nine kids!). Anyway, I'll ask her to pray for you and your continued success in your career, but most importantly that you become holy and perfect like Our Heavenly Father on your journey to the top.
ReplyDeleteMay God love you.
Thank you, Riccisimus Dei! I think prayers, especially from saints with your name, are always special and powerful - thank you so much for keeping me in mind. Know that I'm keeping both her and your family in my heart & prayers tonight. Thank you.
DeleteTori I have always been amazed at your business sense as well as your talent! You "walk the walk" and definitely work hard to make your own success. I have no doubt this will take you to the top! I have learned a lot watching your career grow about how to be confident in ones self and that if you want something bad enough that you have to work hard to make it happen. Thanks for the lesson
ReplyDeleteHow did you know God was calling you to pursue a career in music? I want to make music, and even if I do something else music will still be a big part of my life. I'm coming to a point where I need to take some risks to pursue it further, but I don't want to make the wrong decision.
ReplyDeleteLuke, I think you've answered your own question. You don't want to make the wrong decision because you are AFRAID of choosing incorrectly. Sounds to me like you're ready to face your first demon.
DeleteThe lie you're telling yourself is that one path is right and the other wrong, when in reality, you're choosing between good and good. You see, love, in order to be authentic, must be CHOSEN. God gives us choices because He loves us. So make a choice - then, TRUST everything else to God. Trust that His mercy will cover you, protect you, and provide for you.
You ask, "How do you know what God's calling you to do?" - scripture says you will know a work by its fruit. Therefore, you will know if your choice has received God's anointing or not by the good (or bad) spiritual fruits it produces....but you can only see the fruits when you've already made the choice. Step out of the boat, Luke.
Thanks so much for replying! I'll definitely take what you said into prayer, and take the risk!
DeleteWow! That's very interesting, Tori. It's nice to see things from a musician's perspective. I always thought that playing for shows was enough for musicians, but apparently I was wrong. I guess you can say that the list you provided gave me a little more knowledge about the art. Thanks for sharing that! All the best! :)
ReplyDeleteJimmy Murphy @ Barracuda Staffing