10 Questions with ... Bethany Dillon

NAME:Bethany Dillon TITLE:Musician LABEL:Sparrow Records

Brief Career Synopsis:

Discography:
Waking Up (2007)
Imagination (2005)
Bethany Dillon (2004)

1) Can you give us a brief rundown of your musical career from your perspective?

Well, I started playing guitar at 10 and writing songs around that time. At 12, I recorded an independent CD in someone's living room to give away at churches I sang at. I also helped lead worship in my youth group, kind of the normal, girl-learns-how-to-play-and-sing story. So, the summer that I was 13, unbeknownst to us, my indie CD was passed from person to person, and finally got down to Nashville into the hands of some people at EMI. We got a phone call one day, the next week my parents and I drove down, and the rest is history. It was so strange how quickly the Lord gave us peace about it. It just confirmed that that was what He had for us in this season.

2) You have three years as a "professional" under your belt. If you could give the Bethany of 2004 some advice, what would you say?

Learn what it means to honor people's opinions, and at the same time, how to not be addicted to their approval. I think for the longest time I've been a "yes" person. I have had to learn how to hear HIS voice, and for everything else to be small in that shadow.

3) What's the most important message you hope to convey on the new record?

That Jesus is MORE than I'll ever understand, that the reality of Him in my life is better than anything else, and that the reality of Jesus is BIGGER than the reality of my messiness.

4) What do you enjoy more, the process or the performance?

Probably the process of writing I enjoy the most. Performing is fun and lighthearted, because the product is already finished and there's no changing it. I love to share and meet people, but I think my heart is most alive when I'm sitting in a room with a journal and a guitar, creating something out of nothing.

5) What is the story behind your first single, "The Kingdom"?

I wrote "The Kingdom" after spending a night hanging out with my cousin Matt and his wife, Marcie. In the short time they've been married, Marcie's been pregnant three times, and in two of those pregnancies, the babies didn't live more than a few days after being born. It was one of those unexpected, really unfair things, such a sorrowful, sorrowful road to walk down so early on in their marriage. But instead of them being bitter or sad or wrestling with hating God, they somehow get softer toward Him the more time went by. So, the next morning after visiting with them, I woke up and starting singing the chorus to this song, thinking about what it REALLY means to hope in what you don't have yet, to hope in the unseen.

6) Did you have any "stop, roll that back" moments in the studio, where you heard something that pleasantly surprised you?

There are a few of those moments on this record for me. I think the first one happened when we were recording in L.A. and were working on the song "Something There." It comes out of this bridge part, and then when the chorus kicks back in, the band just felt it and made it this huge moment. I kinda flipped out. [Smile]

7) You got a mention in TIME magazine. Reminisce about that for a second.

Honestly, I haven't thought much about it. It was so fun to have that opportunity, for sure, and I'm pretty sure my parents were excited about it. But, yeah, I'd kind of forgotten until now!

8) Imagine life without music. What would you like to try your hand at?

I probably would've gone into social work in some aspect. Both of my parents have been in that field since I was born, so it's kind of in our blood. I think being a counselor would be SUCH a high calling, such a sweet way to minister Jesus to someone's life.

9) Tell us your funniest radio experience thus far.

Oh my. [Smile] There is a bunch that I'm sure I could share! I think one of the most embarrassing moments was last year when I did a radio interview with my brother-in-law, who is also an artist, Shawn McDonald. He LOVES to embarrass me. We were talking about traveling, living on a bus, that kind of thing. And I mentioned that the bus can get stinky with all of those males in a small area, and he said something like, "C'mon, Beth! You're the one who stinks the place up!" Yeah, I punched him hard for that one.

10) What are your favorite things about coming off the road and being at home in Ohio? Do you cheer much for the Buckeyes?

Sadly enough, I'm kind of indifferent about sports. When I go home, most of my time is spent babysitting and being in my room, having conversations with my family. I'm kind of a home body when I have time off.

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

Norah Jones

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

Portland

3) What is your favorite road meal?

PB&J