10 Questions with ... Tammy Trent

NAME:Tammy Trent TITLE:Artist/author/speaker WEB:www.tammytrent.com

Label:
September Day Records (Infinity Music Distribution)

Discography:
Stronger (2008, September Day Records)
I See Beautiful (2006, September Day Records)
Breathing Mini EP (2003)
Set You Free (2000, Sparrow Records)
You Have My Heart (1997, Light Records)
Tammy Trent (1995, Light Records)

1) What have been some of the recent highlights (from the past year or so) in the world and work of Tammy Trent?

I think the biggest highlight for me this year has been my birthday. I feel like most of my life my birthdays haven't been incredibly memorable. I even remember throwing MYSELF a 21st birthday party and not many showing up for some reason. [Laughing] But recently, two of my best friends threw me a surprise birthday party with about 20 of my best girlfriends. My Mom even flew into Nashville to surprise me. It was so special to me. A highlight of that party was a slide show with pictures of me throughout my life, all put to music. I think we all lost it when it got to the part of "The Boy." Flashing from the screen were pictures of my late husband and me, the life we shared, the love I miss. I could hardly breathe. I was reminded in that moment of how strong I really have become. Even through the tears, I'm overcoming.

2) What is the main message that you hope to share with audiences through the new album Stronger?

We have a "God of Impossibles" and he can take any situation we might be facing right now and turn it into something beautiful if we will just believe and let go. It might not be exactly what WE had in mind but that's part of trusting God and knowing that he sees the bigger picture of our lives and completely knows what's best for us. Letting go can be so hard to do but I have come to know that I am truly HELD when I let go. My hope and prayer for those who pick up "Stronger" is that the words will become their own and that the hope I sing of will become their hope, too. My message will always be about a real God, living in a real world, caring about our real lives, and his longing to be a part of it daily.

3) What is the story behind the single "Rain on Me"?

I walked into the studio one morning with this title at the top of my blank paper: "Rain On Me," and I just knew that God wanted me to write a lyric for it. I shared with my producer about the emails that were coming into my office daily from people desperate for God to heal and restore them. They felt so overwhelmed, alone and lost....just dried up. I could totally relate to those feelings, yet in that same place, knowing that it all comes down to surrender, and being willing to receive all that God has to offer. When the Holy Spirit rains on us, it's amazing what it can wash away and how it gives us a new start...a new beginning. I needed to write this song for me, too, and proclaim that I am coming out from underneath. Can you see I'm breaking free/Lord I love how you save me! So come "Rain On Me," my soul is so thirsty.

4) Was there a moment in the studio working on "Stronger" when you thought, "Ah-ha! Now we have a record!"

Probably the last note I sang with producer Bernie Herms on the song "Somehow UR." [Laughing] I was so ready to be done and out of the studio. I honestly hate the pressures of the studio and trying to capture an "amazing vocal." So when I'm rounding the corner of completion, I'm praying that God gives me perfect pitch in the final hours so I don't have to sing it over and over again! I'm usually like, "Was that good? Is that close enough?!?!" [Laughing] "Ah-ha! Now we have a record! See ya in 18 months to do it again!"

5) Tell us your funniest or strangest radio experience thus far, either from recent days or years past.

I remember doing a Brown Bag Lunch with KSBJ/Houston one year in the mall there. I'm always looking for opportunities to engage with the audience, so during my set I started to sing my signature song "Welcome Home." The crowd was alive and large (That might have been my first large crowd. Yay for me!). I couldn't see half the people, so I looked around and spotted a tall garbage can. I ran over to it and jumped on top of it and started to bust a move. I was in my own little world, not realizing that the garbage can was about to fall over the second story railing with me ON TOP of it. When people in the audience were gasping for air, I thought, "Wow! They are TOTALLY into me!" [Laughing] When I was told later how close I was to death, I thought, "Well, that was the perfect song to sing at that moment but I'm sure the Father would have changed the lyric a bit: "Welcome home, my mercies waiting, Welcome home to open arms, you idiot!"

6) What is your favorite song to perform live?

Well, speaking of "Welcome Home," I will NEVER get tired of singing that song. In fact, for the past 10 years, it's the first song I sing every time I hit the stage. What a powerful, timeless and sweet message for the prodigal, which is all of us. But right now my favorite song from "Stronger" to perform live is "You've Already Shown Me." It's a new sound for me this time around and I'm totally embracing it. It's been a natural transition for me. It shows a more aggressive pop/rock Tammy Trent as well as simply a girl who's continuing to grow in life, in faith and in music.

7) Can you pick a favorite song from the new album?

Right now I would have to say "Edge of the Water." It's really my "return" song. It takes me back to that very moment standing on the edge of the water when I knew my life was forever changed. My heart was broken. I couldn't breathe and I was desperate for God when nothing made sense. It's the moment I found out that my husband was never coming home again. I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't get to say, "I love you," one more time. He was tragically killed in a free-diving accident in Jamaica's Blue Lagoon while we were on a mission trip September 11 2001. With tears streaming down my face still today, I can sit here and tell you I have no doubt that even in my pain, God is still beautiful. He is still wonderful. He is still so powerful. Look at how far I've come. I'm not completely "there" yet, but because of Christ in my life and allowing him to carry me when I couldn't walk on my own, I am truly in a STRONGER place as I continue to heal. We all have our own "Edge of the Water" but the real story is what we do with that moment.

8) What motivates you or challenges you as you continue to create and perform music?

Simply put, people motivate me. It can still be a challenge for me to get on a plane or a bus every weekend and wear my heart on my sleeve for yet another audience as I share my testimony and music. But I am reminded that each time I take the stage, it is a NEW audience and I have the opportunity to share my life and my God with these people. They motivate me to want to bring them timeless messages of hope and God's saving grace in new and authentic ways. And I want to remind them that hope is very much alive!

9) Imagine life without music. What might you try your hand at?

Ummm, I think I'd love try landscaping. I LOVE being outside. Mowing the yard, pulling weeds, planting flowers, pruning trees and shrubs, and funny enough, growing grass. [Laughing] I'm so faithful to water that new seed at least three times a day! I'm growing new grass RIGHT NOW in an area around my house and it's coming up after only six days, and in 95-degree weather! Who said it couldn't be done?!?! [Laughing] There's something in me that loves watching things grow. That's probably been a good thing in my personal life, too. I genuinely want to keep growing. I love the beauty in it as I continue to find and discover who I really am and who Christ made me to be.

10) If you could mash up your favorite parts of Grand Rapids and your favorite parts of Nashville to create a new hometown, what would that city/town look like, sound like, smell like, etc.?

Good question! I've never had this one before! Let's see. My favorite part of Grand Rapids is my family. Oh how I'd LOVE to have my parents, brother, sister and ALL my nieces and nephews living close by. So I think my new hometown would consist of a large piece of property that goes for miles with rolling hills and lots of trees. No cars, just four-wheelers for all my family. And my nieces and nephews will work the farm where we have fresh organic food every day! [Smile] 80-degree days and 60-degree nights always with NO humidity and only snow at Christmastime! Everything would be in full bloom, always with the smell of fresh cut flowers. Music would be playing in the background throughout the valley and it would change automatically depending on our mood as a family. And every radio single that I released would become at least a Top 10 hit! [Laughing] I'm not selfish; I don't ALWAYS need a #1 hit! But ya know what? As long as I have my family, I feel like I'm at the top of the charts.

1) Who would be a dream artist to record with (any genre)?

Hands down, my favorite artist in the world, Amy Grant. BUT she'd have to be in the studio WITH ME at the same time recording. Not one of those where she records her vocals before you get there, so you never get to actually meet her! [Laughing]

2) Favorite city to visit:

My favorite place to visit is Rome, Italy. I so loved it and hope to return one day.

3) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

When ladies from the Women of Faith conferences would e-mail me saying how incredible I sounded when I sang "In Better Hands." Of course, we all know that it was Natalie Grant singing it but I would always reply and say, "Thank you sooooo much!" [Laughing] Just kidding. I only did that ONCE! I'd give anything for a voice like that but then again, Nat says she'd give anything to be able to dance like me! Not sure if that's an even trade. But our friendship is something I'd never trade. [Smile]