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10 Questions with ... Naomi Striemer
April 25, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 2006 Images
- 2009 The Green Album
- 2010 Eighty-eight
- 2012 Hope That Breaks The Dark
1. Introduction....birthplace, childhood, schools, jobs, current hometown
I was born in upstate New York, about 30 minutes from Manhattan. My parents were in the midst of Missionary training in the hopes of being sent to Africa. I was born with a midwife in a house. Shortly after we moved to Nova Scotia, Canada (not Africa) where I grew up on a farm, homeschooled, void of any media.
Through the years I pursued a career in music, initially pop music, signing a multi-million dollar deal with Epic/Sony records... then onto a 2nd deal to work with mega producer Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sting) where I wrote and sang on a single named 'Cars' that guitar legend Carlos Santana collaborated with me on. I worked with producer Mario Winans (Beyoncé, Puff Daddy) afterword and then Randy Jackson (American Idol) with a project...both of which I walked away from.
I had experienced a prophetic moment in Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs studio in NYC where a driver for the studio approached me with a dream he had been given which contained a message for me, that he said an angel had given him in the dream through the Holy Spirit. The message was to ultimately walk away from the dreams I had been pursuing to follow Jesus. I had always been a Christian but I had always separated my goals with my faith not realizing that God had to be in control of 100% of my life, which included my career.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
I'm a new Mom, so a typical day for me has changed! My routine generally includes breakfast with my family (husband and baby) a walk with baby and our dog and then I jump into work. I'm an independent artist, which means I run the show. Emails to Churches/Pastors to converse about upcoming tours and concert schedules. Most of my day is spent communicating about bookings. If I'm feeling super energetic I"ll make dinner before breakfast so that my day is cleared up to spend on baby and work. My husband will go to work, he'll come home for a final family meal. That's about it!!! Super boring, but I love every minute of it! We live in the country so I will go out on the front porch and stare at the cows or the donkeys across the road and listen to the birds. It's truly serene.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
I absolutely LOVE The Afters 'Live on Forever'. The first time I heard the song I thought 'This is great production! It sounds like it should be the theme for a movie." and then I heard the message of the song and that was it. I love songs that talk about Heaven. It's such a wonderful focal point that reminds us of what we're doing her.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
I go out (on average) one or two weekends a month to lead Church services across North America. Now that I'm a Mom my baby and my Mom are with me everywhere I go. I have to say, it's going better than expected! Once a year the whole family will do a 4-6 week tour with me in Australia and New Zealand. There's talk of doing South Africa and possibly a few Asian countries next year. It's hard to be away from home!! That is why I limit my time away to weekends or tours where my husband can join me on the road. Otherwise it begins to defeat the purpose of family.
5. What Artist or Pastor has had the greatest impact on you?
There have been several for many reasons. I believe God places who you need and what you need into your life at just the right time. A message, a conversation. Just a word in passing that strikes a chord. I've been blessed by many Pastors I've met along my travels. I remember one gave me a book on fasting that I read for the next several plane rides and then began a fast at just the right time in my life to watch God pour out His blessings on several areas we had been praying about.
6. What's the last book you read?
The Red Tent. It is a fictional telling of the story of Dinah (the daughter of Jacob who is barely mentioned in the Bible). It was absolutely fantastic! I read it while I was pregnant during my weekends of travel. It was so neat getting insight into how Jewish women lived in those days. Although there were a few parts that I couldn't buy into (even though it was fiction based on truth) I highly recommend the book. Its a great read. My friend, who is a Christian book publicist, gave me the book.
7. Tell us about your latest songwriting project.
Originally I was writing for a new album (last year), and I have enough songs for a new album, but I just don't feel like the album is finished. I know there is more that needs to be written. So I'm releasing singles and possibly an EP before my next full length album.
The current single 'Giving it to God' was one of the first songs I wrote when I made the transition to Christian music ministry. It just made sense. In everything, give it to God. We don't need to carry the burden or weight of anything. The Lord does not want that for us. He wants us to trust in Him to the extent that we literally place our lives and future in His hands.
"Giving It To God" is an audience favorite. I think it connects because it relates to each of us. I've received more emails about this song than any other. And I've had Churches bring me in to speak (when a Pastor lost his wife in a tragic accident) because of this song.
One song coming up called 'Even Now' is super powerful. It deals with the violence we're experiencing all around us. It is a strong song in the face of fear that says "wait a minute, this battle has ALREADY been won! Even now, Jesus has conquered and is victorious". I can't wait for that song to get released as a single! I think it's a message we all need to be reminded of daily.
8. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
I work with Compassion Child Sponsorships. I believe in this organization because first and foremost they put Christ first. 'In Jesus Name' is something they won't remove from their marketing or mission. They release children from poverty but they introduce these children to the message of salvation. With that these kids are transformed and begin to change their families and communities. The success stories are overwhelming. I've been on the field, I've met graduates and I've seen the results. It's a stand-out organization.
9. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question
I mean, obviously Jesus!! But I'll get that chance, and I can't wait! Otherwise, my Grandparents on my Mother's side. I never met them and I think we would have gotten along rather well.
10. How & when did you become a believer?
I was born into the faith you could say. I believed the Bible was still being written as a Child (that's how sheltered I was!) but somewhere along the way I lost the point. In the height of my pop career I was deep into theology. I studied and studied and knew everything about everything...but in my own life I was living entirely selfish. It was all about me. Then that moment in the studio with that dream changed me. I realized I was missing it! All things must be about Jesus, all things must give glory to Him. Suddenly everything changed. I believe the past few years have been eye opening for me and my faith. I get it now and I feel like I had a Saul to Paul conversion experience.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible Verse....life verse?
Matthew 28:20 '....I am with you always, even unto the end of the world' - I don't know why but this verse brings me to tears. It is so loving and reassuring. It's a love note from God.
2. What's the biggest "God moment" you've ever experienced? Personally or professionally, when has God shown up in a powerful way?
I think that one moment that changed everything, when the driver for the studio approached me and shared his dream, the words to make a choice between myself or God!
But honestly, God has never stopped showing up. I see miracles everyday. Every Church service I see God in work. The beauty of being in ministry is the faith and trust and total reliance upon God and watching Him do what He does best.
I've met people who have been healed. Seen circumstances of impossibility become possible. Having plans fall apart only to watch something better come along. God is miraculous and loving and best of all. His plan is simply the best plan I could have ever hoped for or imagined for my life.
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