Originally from the South. My dad was, and still is though not practicing, a minister. We've lived mostly in different areas of Mississippi and spent a few years in Illinois where my dad is from. Moved to Memphis when I was 17. So that would put me here for almost 8 years. Whenever anyone asks me where I'm from, I always say Memphis. I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere else. And I happen to love Memphis, so this is my home.

Months after I moved to Memphis, my older sister, Allison, was invited to see a Lilithfair show in Nashville. Me being such the tag-a-long, I had to go with her. The whole trip was amazing! I always loved music, as anyone does. But not until that night did I realize how much a part of me that it was. The last person to play was Sarah McLachlan. It was completely dark and a single beam of light lit a small part of the stage. And out of nowhere she stepped into the light. And the most beautiful sound came out of her mouth. Tears immediately formed behind my eyes, however silly that may sound. I was mesmerized...paralyzed. Every word, every note, every stroke of her guitar awakened something inside of me.

I had never played a guitar in my life, but as soon as I got home the next day, I called my parents and asked them to help me buy one. We went down to Strings & Things, bought a cheap Fender acoustic, which I still have and love, and I began my life as a musician. I started watching other player's hands and would try and mimic what I saw. Most of my learning was just practice and finding chords and then remembering where they were. I still can't read music. I play by ear...and heart. I began playing in a cover band around the age of 20. We were called Krysalis...I love butterflies. We were actually pretty good and developed a small, but faithful following.

I began to experiment with many things...many drugs. Like I said, my dad was a preacher, so I knew about God, was raised in church. But I never had any interest or desire for Him. I realize now that my understanding of Him was all wrong. I had no clue who He really was...and is. I actually never gave Him any thought through the majority of my life. Until last year on April 4th. For some reason, a few months prior to that day in April, I became somewhat aware of sin, and sin in my life. I became convicted, which was foreign to me. I was scared and I didn't understand what was happening.

My mother came for a visit about that time and convinced me to see The Passion of the Christ with her. I had no desire to see it. I knew this wasn't a movie for enjoyment, so to speak. But something inside me would not let me back out. So I went. I had no idea what was about to happen to me. No idea that in just a few moments I would meet that same Christ. And I did...right there in the theater...curled in my seat...Heaven opened and let me in. Imagine that!

Having been in the studio, I realize now more than ever, that I am so in love with words..and melody...and the creation of songs. Music evokes so many feelings. It inspires. It dreams it's own dream. It can set you on top of the world. And it can break your heart. But it makes you feel, and that is what I love. The only vision I have as an artist is to remain just that...an artist. To not burn out...stay honest...and stay faithful to what I have been called to do. I am not necessarily targeting any specific age or group. I don't want to limit my music to a certain demographic. I write about things that I have experienced, whether it be joy or pain. And everyone can relate to that.

I think, as a whole, our generation is being fed a dangerous message. A message that says if you accept Christ, all of your problems will cease to exist. A message that tells the listeners that the reason they have struggles is because they don't have Christ. And there is some truth in that. But there needs to be a balance. The truth of the matter is that our struggles will still be a part of life. We will still hurt and experience tragedy as any other human being does. Christ came to offer us a way to overcome sin and it's consequences and the devastaton that it causes. In John chapter 17, Jesus is praying for us before being arrested, and He asks His Father not to take us out of the world, but to keep us from evil.

Because I still have many struggles in my life, even as a child of God, the subject matter of most of my songs tend to gravitate towards...struggle. I want people to know that pain is not working against us. It brings us closer to the one who knows pain better than anyone else...Jesus Christ. He understands and hurts right along with us. When we are persecuted, He is persecuted. When we cry, He cries. And when we laugh...He laughs too. He goes through life with us and in us. And our life struggles and heartache only remind us that we are not alone. It shows us of His love. It shows us that if we fall, He will fall with us. He will not let us go alone. He will not let us go........