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10 Questions with ... Tanya Godsey
January 5, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 2009 Nothing Less Than Everything
- 2011 Telling Time
- 2013 O Holy Night
- 2014 In One (Christmas Single)
- 2015 TBD
1. Brief History/Synopsis
I was born and raised in the Texas plains as a Pastor's daughter. I graduated from Dallas Baptist University and moved to Nashville after I unexpectedly won an AGMA songwriting award for CCM Song of the Year. I met and married my husband, a Tennessee native, 2 years after moving to Nashville and now our family calls Tennessee home.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
I am a mom of 2 young kids so our schedule calls for me to be an early riser to see our kindergartner off to school on time. I also have a 2 year old who has a sweet disposition and allows me to work on some creative pursuits and communication sporadically during the day. But my real focused work time begins from 9pm and usually ends around 1 or sometimes 2 am. This is my quiet time and the most fruitful time spent working on ministry and creative projects.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
"Moving Forward" by Colony House has been in rotation as of late. Its the perfect blend of inspired music and potent lyrics. The emphasis on renewal is a beautiful message they tell in such an original way.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges?
I've always traveled to further the reach of the albums and projects I've released. The grandparents of our children play such a crucial role in our ability to travel. They have been a HUGE support to us and allow us to embrace opportunities knowing that our little ones are safe and happy in their care. When the kids are able to travel with us they LOVE the road and enjoy meeting new people and visiting new places. We think God has a sense of humor to have given two introverted parents, two extroverted children : ) It makes life fun and unpredictable.
5. What Artist or Pastor has had the greatest impact on you?
I grew up listening to Rich Mullins and his music connected with me on such a profound level...even as early as 6 yrs of age. I loved the honesty and depth of his songwriting and his ability to consistently tell God's story through his own. As the years went by and I learned more about him I was really inspired by the way he lived, in honest and radical abandon to the Gospel. His example left a lasting deposit in me as an artist and believer for sure.
6. What's the last book you read?
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. It's a beautiful and in-depth study of how our life experiences shape and influence our emotional health and therefore our own spirituality and how we engage life and relationships. It's one of the most revelatory reads I've come across in quite some time and happened to hit my sweet spot as a former Psychology/Christian Counseling major. : ) I've always believed God wants more for us than the status quo and this book gives biblical insight and practical application to equip believers to experience more of Him in their relationships and their own journey of faith.
7. Funniest or most embarrassing moment on the road?
I once played a Women's Retreat and while on stage had enough momentum to trip, land on my face and slide across the stage, resulting in black marks on my nose and forehead. My face looked like it was ready for a High School football game but I was laughing too hard to notice. It was pure comedy.
8. What are you working on now?
I'm currently preparing to go in to record my next full length record with Producer Ben Shive who also produced my current Christmas single "In One." This will be my third record and feels like my most honest and hope-filled offering yet. We're scheduled to be in the studio in the Spring/Summer of 2015 and I can't wait to get started on this next musical chapter.
9. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
We support several missionaries on a monthly and yearly basis who are taking the Gospel into places our eyes will never see. Missions are so important to me as a member of a third generation ministry family. My grandparents and parents always kept their finger on the pulse of Matthew 28:19 and my heart burns and beats for the Great Commission in much the same way.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question
Frederick Buechner is my favorite author and I'd love to have a discussion with him someday. "The Longing for Home" was a book that shaped my last record "Telling Time" and I find his work and language mirrors my heart so often. I think I would find him to be a kindred spirit, both as an artist and a human being.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible Verse....life verse?
I love reading through Matthew 5 because every verse in the Beatitudes is so counter culture. It's a great reminder to me of what Jesus really calls us to as we walk into the wide world every day and attempt to navigate through the light and the dark. Reading these verses helps me make sure my compass is set to true north.
2. How & when did you become a believer?
I became a believer at 6 years of age but I remember it like it was yesterday. It's one of my earliest memories and is branded into my heart in such a visceral way. I can remember listening to my Dad's sermon, asking my Mom to lead me in the prayer of salvation, walking down the aisle to kneel in front, saying the prayer and feeling my heart stirred in a way I had yet to experience before. It was a beautiful beginning to a faith that the sun and rain of life has tended to and grown in many years since.
3. What's the biggest "God moment" you've ever experienced?
Personally it would be the birth of my 2 children. I was told at a fairly young age that I would never be able to have children naturally. I had always planned to adopt (and still carry that desire in my heart) but grieved the reality that I would never experience childbirth. God had other ideas and His sovereign plan of giving us of our daughter and son is nothing short of miraculous. Professionally, it would be God's provision over my last full-length record. From the songs to the major funding that landed in my lap to record, it was a beautiful display of God working to make all things possible, even against all odds.
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