Because I will [ EP release and interview with the author ]

Meadow Barrett is joining me on my blog today!! She just released her EP on iTunes..
A book she co-authored is available here. Also find her on facebook.

First I'll, be asking Meadow a few questions, then she has an article to share with us!


Meadow Barrett lives in the backwoods of Tennessee surrounded by her big family. A few of the many things she enjoys are the crazy parties with her family, deep Bible study, recipe inventing, sprinting, and of course . . . writing! She is a co-author of a (THM) devotional, a writer of articles, and a singer/songwriter who just recently released her first EP. She is hoping to write and sing much more in the near future!

Welcome, Meadow! So, first question, are you a born-again Christian, and if so, how does this affect your music?
Yes, I grew up in a Christian home and became a born-again Christian at age 5! This doesn't just affect my music . . . it gives my music purpose. While I do write some songs that are about simple things in daily life, it is very important to me to also write songs that can be a witness to my faith, and imply important messages. By being a Christian, I want to be separate from worldly songs that embrace sin, and let my songs be good examples, instead.

What song of yours means the most to you?Share some history from it!
The song that means the most to me is "He Paid my Fine." It was inspired by a witnessing class I took a few months ago with some friends, called "The Way Of The Master" by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. It tells the story of a stranger paying a man's fine in court because he did a crime. When the man finds out why the stranger did it, it was because a stranger (Jesus) paid his fine and saved him from eternal judgment. It shows how people would be raving if a stranger really did pay for someone's fine. But a stranger DID pay for all of our fines! But sadly, many of us take it for granted.


What is your favorite secular/Christian artist or group? Do they influence your music in any way?
I would have to say that my favorite artists are the ones I know personally. Maybe that's because I watched them get to where they are, and they have become an inspiration for me . . .and they're so good! The Henningsens are a country band made up of a brother, sister, and Dad (although, there's a total of ten children in their family)! I've known them since I was a baby, and some of them live just three miles down the road from me! They are my wonderful friends and some of the best songwriters I know! The Redhead Express is another country band who are a group of sisters. They're my fellow redheaded/singer friends, and they are so talented! The Christian band called the "Newsboys" is owned by Uncle who is their manager, and my other uncle tours with them. Recently their lead singer (Micheal Tait) spent Thanksgiving with our family, and we enjoyed singing along to a couple of the Newsboys songs with him!


Who critics your music and songs?
Who critics my songs? My parents certainly correct them, if that's what you mean! It's great to have parents who were both singer/songwriters. But you can bet they'll be honest! I never believe one of my songs are officially "done," unless one of my parents have approved of them. But if you mean that some people don't like my songs, I did see a comment recently of one lady I didn't know who did not appreciate them. Oh well. You can't please everybody!


Could you share a bit about your family?
I am the oldest of five children. I have a LOT of cousins! I can barely keep track of how many I have! But I absolutely love it this way! I live within walking distance of my Grandparents and many of my cousins. We're a close-knit family and we have many fun and crazy parties!


What are some of your other hobbies/interests?
Besides writing songs, I simply like writing in general!!! I co-wrote my first devotional this year with my Mom, Aunt, and Nana called "100 Days of Inspiration." (My Mom and Aunt are the authors of "Trim Healthy Mama" and my Nana has a ministry called "Above Rubies.") To name just a few things other than that, I like to go sprinting, and cook and bake (mostly sweets), and I enjoy a good, deep Bible study!


What is your goal for your songs?
My hope is that my songs will reach many people and that they will be a blessing.


What is your view on humor? Do you try to put some in your songs?
I really, really like to laugh! And I'd be happy if I can make other people laugh, too! I believe laughter is good for the soul like medicine! I have written some humorous songs, and I'm sure I will continue to do so in the future.


Do you write anything else, besides songs?
Yep! Like I said, I like to write in general! When I once took an acting class, one of my favorite parts was writing my own monologues, even though I didn't have to.


What do you use for inspiration?
Often, conversations will inspire me to write a song. (Always be aware of that when you talk to me!) But inspiration can be found anywhere, once you look for it. I do get writer's block sometimes, but I truly believe that all the options to write about are ENDLESS! And I have many, many ideas that are just waiting to be finished.


Is there anything else that you would like to share?
Just this - God has given us all talents, and we are to use them, not bury them. But as a payment to our King, we are expected to give back some of the benefits we reaped . . . That's what I want to do. I want to use the talent God gave me, but I want to use some of it for the glory of His Kingdom.


Thank you for joining me, Meadow! Have a wonderful day, and I can't wait to hear more of your songs!
Thank YOU, Keturah! It was a pleasure!

MUSIC as MEDICINE by Meadow Barrett

My parents were both singer/songwriters who met through music. My Mom gave birth to me in a little white church in Franklin, Tennessee a few months after she signed a record deal with Forefront records (EMI). The main crib I slept in was a guitar case since her duo record deal with my Aunt (Considering Lily) always kept us on the road. I’ve been told that Rebecca St. James would babysit me when we were touring with her and her family. And toddler that I was, I believed Cracker Barrel was my home since we were rarely ever home. I was surrounded by music . . . taken captive by it. Sometimes my Mom would put me under the spot light on stage, and I would sing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" in front of a crowd of people.

There is a part of me which has always been ardently addicted to music. Later this grew to something even more meaningful to me than just singing songs - writing songs. The more I wrote, the more it became a habit - and later it felt as if I was breathing songs! Maybe it’s because songs are my favorite way of communicating. They can make people laugh, cry . . . and think. Songs are two of my favorite things put together - Writing plus Music. It’s my hobby. It’s my ministry. And it’s my obsession.

As much as I enjoy music, I believe that much of music is dead today. It’s dead because it has no meaning. No purpose. Sure, it might give us fun vibes and entertain and humor us. But is that all? Lyrics are often degrading. Thoughtful words are replaced with profanity, hope is replaced with despair, forgiveness is replaced with vengeance, joy is replaced with partying and alcohol, wholesome humor is replaced with dirty jokes, love is replaced with lust, and worship to the creator is replaced with worship to the creation.

But I believe not all music is dead. There is some music that is very much alive. It’s only rarer. It gets people laughing over the little things. It makes us cry, not because of hopelessness, but because of empathy in trials and tribulations, or hope of overcoming them, or looking back at the good times. It believes in wisdom in all decisions, faithfulness towards loved ones, and a life with value. It is a lighthearted joke with a drum beat. It is a friendly conversation with a melody. It is story telling with emotion. It is a love letter with an orchestra. It is a preacher’s sermon with a backup choir. It is prayer in the form of art.

Some people mistakenly blame different genres of music for the demise. They are disappointed that musicians abandon classical styles to become more modern. While I have respect and appreciation for the classics, I don’t believe they are most important. A long time ago, these traditional styles were merely new trends that gradually became classics. People ‘invented’ those styles. They didn't always exist. Any musician should have the freedom to explore music in many styles and forms. There’s nothing unique about following trends. But inventing new styles is certainly not the problem. Dead lyrics are the problem.

I don’t fit into a category of one main genre of music. I don’t want to be put in a box. I want to be free to write something fresh and new. But most importantly, I want to play a part in raising the standard of music.

I want my music to be medicine.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8."