10 Questions with ... Nate Sallie

NAME:Nate Sallie TITLE:Musician LABEL:Curb Records

Brief Career Synopsis:

Label:
Curb Records

Discography:
Ruined for Ordinary (2006)
Inside Out (2003)

1) Can you offer a brief look at your musical journey?

Two major developments took place in my life at the age of five. These two monumental moments would both kick start my musical journey and catapult me into onto the musical map. My parents purchased a brand new upright Baldwin piano for their home. It was the first piece of new furniture they had ever owned, and it would become the first piece of furniture I became familiar with. I sat down on the piano bench when it arrived, placed my fingers on the ivories, and they've been stuck there ever since. The second major event that occurred at the year five mark of my young life was stepping out on stage in a 10-gallon cowboy hat, full cowboy costume and cowboy boots. This would be my first public performance as a young tyke brandishing a larger-than-life guitar and wailing away at "Do Lord, oh Do Lord, oh Dooooo Remember Me!" My musical escapades were now in full swing!

2) What's the most important message conveyed on RUINED FOR ORDINARY?

That the Savior of our souls wants to breakthrough in each of our lives. That when we let go of ourselves and surrender our will, he longs to unmask our minds and unveil our hearts. He desires for us to live in a freedom and liberty that is only found in him. As John 10:10 declares, "Christ has come to give us an abundant life!" Once we've experienced the Creator of Creation's love, joy, peace, grace, goodness, faithfulness and mercy, we will be ruined for an ordinary existence!

3) What's the story behind your new single "Holy Spirit"?

Donuts! My wife and I have inhabited our current residence for nearly two years without these sinful sugar circles ever gracing our doorstep. However, one evening while we were preparing ourselves for sleep by flipping through the seemingly endless number of television channels available, we stumbled upon the history of the donut. As we watched the glaze glisten from the hot dough, I found myself putting my jacket on as I raced out the garage door to the nearest Krispy Kreme! For me, this incident is a symbolic picture of being hungry for what we feed on. When we fill our minds with this prevalent culture, we acquire an appetite for its offerings. When we flood our heads with mind candy, we become ravenous for more of the same. In the same vein, when we saturate our souls with the Word of God, our entire being becomes insatiable for our Savior's nourishing commands! Colossians 3:16 states, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...." I began to meditate, memorize and apply the Word to my life and draw near to the King of life, love, light and liberty. I began to come to the revelation that it was not my strength, intuition or intellect that would sustain me, but the Spirit of the Lord. As I learned how to be led by the Spirit everyday, I began to walk in an unbroken communion with the Lord, which was life-changing and transforming. A natural result was the outpouring of the song "Holy Spirit." Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks and sings, and cascading from my lips were the songs the Lord has planted deep inside the well of my soul.

4) What's your funniest/most interesting radio story?

I once did an entire early morning radio interview via phone without realizing we were live and on-air. I responded to the questions with one- and two-word answers, saving the extended answers for the on-air interview. However, the opportunity to give complete responses never took place as my one-word responses were being heard in real time as I spoke through the receiver! Not an inspiring interview to say the least!

5) What is giving you a sense of urgency nowadays?

To see men and women of every age and stage of life live in the fullness of Christ by learning their identity in him! To see every person set free by the undeniable truth that they are citizens of heaven, children of God, saints and divine masterpieces. To see all men and women lay down law and legalism and pick up liberty, by way of an unmasked mind, unveiled soul and transformed heart! To witness a world ruined for ordinary!

6) What person has influenced your ministry/your music the most and how?

My pastor, Dale Evrist, of Newsong Christian Fellowship in Franklin, TN. My wife, daughter and I have been a part of this vibrant worship community for nine years. Pastor Dale has been a true father in the faith and has wonderfully modeled what it looks like to live a fully integrated, wholehearted, servant-leader life.

7) Imagine life without music as your career; what might you like to do?

It's interesting you ask. While penning this new project, "Ruined for Ordinary," I found myself almost careening off the highway in my hometown due to extreme excitement! I realized for the first time that a transition had been made. Music was no longer my life; God was my life. His agenda was my agenda, and his will was my will. What peace and purpose this brought to my soul. The Lord has me songwriting and sharing these songs during this season, but if tomorrow he called me to a new chapter I would go with excitement, joy and without hesitation. The best place we can be is in the center of God's will for our lives!

8) What compels you to write a song?

All I desire is for the Creator of Creation, the Master of Melodies and the Lord of the Lyric to sing through me. Whatever he places in my heart, I want to be like the pen of a ready writer and capture his river of words. When my heart is bursting its banks, and I cannot contain what is spilling over, it's time to compose! All I want to be is the mouthpiece, the vessel, the instrument and the conduit for the Grand Architect!

9) What's your favorite part about coming home, off the road?

My family. Spending time with my wife and daughter and together enjoying the home that the Lord has blessed us with. Spending time with our covenant comrades and worshipping at our home church. When I have the opportunity to be at Newsong Christian Fellowship on Sunday mornings, it definitely beats listening to the message via podcast!

10) How do you keep yourself refreshed?

In the past I have stranded myself in the desert due to the fact that I had not tapped in to the Vine, the source of my strength. As Psalm 1 declares, "We are like trees planted by living water." We are flourishing and bearing fruit in every season. I now abide, remain and rest in the Lord! I live a life of unbroken communion and allow myself to be apprehended by the Lord. Kept by Him and not striving to keep up. James 4:8 states, "Draw near to me and I'll draw near to you." We do not have to plug in and plug out. We do not have to draw and drift. We can remain and stay wrapped in the Lord's presence continually! This doesn't suggest that everything that happens in our lives is going to be amazing at all times, but it does mean that when we are fully surrendered to our King, he will work everything that happens to us out for our good! Our joy is not based on our circumstances. It is based on the indwelling of the Spirit and the resulting peace of the Savior. His power is made perfect in our weakness, and his grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Just know that if you are in the shadow of the valley of death, our God promises that you will not have to pitch a tent there, but you will walk through!

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

Keith Green

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

Destin, FL

3) What is your favorite road meal?

I'm not hungry at the moment so nothing sounds good.

4) Musical guilty pleasures

We just received the Bose noise canceling headphones as a gift for being on the "Winter Jam" tour. I'm excited to put them to use on a flight coming up to South Africa, although they cancel out noise and music, so I'm not sure if you could call them a musical guilty pleasure.