I am really excited about this interview with Bart Fortenbery. I have been reading Bart’s website information, listening to him minister and listening to his jams…Loving what I am reading and hearing.
Check out this Video of Bart Ministering on Living to Please God
BART FORTENBERY
In 1993 Bart gave his life to Christ. Since then, he knew that God had a special plan for him. Bart has always had a love for music. Once he discovered Christian music, he knew that was where God wanted him to be. Bart’s mission, is to help the lost get saved but also help the saved stay encouraged in their walk. With the message in his songs and his testimony of money struggles, going through a divorce, losing a home, yet never giving up; most people can relate to his life. Bart says, We often try so hard to do what is right and yet, Satan keeps trying to wear us down. Personally I have wanted to give up many times. Through the love and encouragement of others I have continued to follow Gods will. That is the same thing I want to send to others.
In Roman’s 13:10 ;Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements;, and Ephesians 5:1-2 ;Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, And walk in Love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God;. Bart says that we need to show more love and understanding towards each other and to be that reflection of Jesus Christ, so that others will want what we have , as Christians.
Bart is from the small town in Cherryville, North Carolina. He has 2 kids who is grown, daughter graduated from Sacramento State in California currently going for her masters at Appalachian University in NC and son who graduated from UNC Asheville and married living in Gastonia NC.
TO READ MORE OF BART’S BIO PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Steven Curtis Chapman and I was introduced to Christian country by listening to Del Way
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
My first song released to radio was “The Power of Prayer” which went to #1 on the Inspirational Country Music Charts in May of 2003, which was written about a little boy who was dignosed with Spinal Bifada. And how The Lord has healed him through prayer. And station I am not sure.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
It has not been one thing but a list of things that the Lord has placed me in and the learning experience has been overwhelming. Like, started leading praise and worship in a few churches, then started a youth band that went to different places and played, and then was offered the position as Youth Pastor at a church and I am still doing that and loving it, and was asked to fill in as a pastor and turning out to be a 4 month long event bringing the message every Sunday and leading praise and worship, and then being asked to speak in this church and that. I feel that The Lord was working in my life to do this, even without having an education to be a pastor. The pastor of the church where I am the Youth Pastor, has guided me and gave me advice along the way. And it helps when he is also a teacher at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Charlotte NC, a school that Billy Graham had a part in starting. And through the response from all the places that I have sung and spoke has reassured me to follow this calling.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Just knowing what God has done in my life and used me in the life of others keeps me going even when the thought of giving up occurs.
Do you have any projects in the making?
I just finished a project, but am working on a Bluegrass project and Contemparary Project, and will be next year before those are complete.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
“He’s working on Making it Better”
Do you write any of your own songs?
I write all my songs,
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sung?
I would have to say The Power of Prayer since it was my first release and #1
Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
I was not on a stage but I was singing in a Nursing home and the nurse had rolled a sweet ole man close to me as I was singing and he started coughing and he could not stop. As I was singing he coughed and his teeth come bouncing across the floor and I motioned for the nurse and never missed a beat singing. But afterwards it was a good laugh.
Can you tell us about Apple Lane Music Group?
I started this a few years ago, trying to learn about the song promotion part of the industry so I could help those starting out. I know how hard it was for me to come up with the money that some ask for, which is fine and they have done a great job for me in the past but it is hard to come up with alot of money. So I am learning as I promote myself. And my son had gone to College at UNC Asheville for Music production and he is helping me getting the studio up and running. I also give music lessons to students and used to have a music store.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLE LANE MUSIC CLICK LINK BELOW
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
That one is easy, and it is Galations 5, 22-23. If everyone had love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, this would be such a better place to live!
Thank you Bart for this interview
This has been one of my favorite songs so far. Recently I have been helping another artist on a project that has made my heart so tender towards our soldiers.
For those of you who may not know! I am launching an Internet Radio Program via my blog on March 7th.
It will be a weekly program, posted every Saturday morning.
KIJS is a program featuring Christian Country Music. We will special feature Southern Gospel and Christian Folk Music as well.
Each week KIJS will be uploaded in the form of a blog. There will be a play button or link to listen online. I will feature one artist each week by giving their Website and Booking information on the program. I also will feature them with add links to their website.
KIJS will be syndicated late spring or early summer. I will be posting what stations it can be heard as this takes place.
KIJS is an independent program, It does not report to charts or ratings. It is strictly for getting Gods word out through music, promoting artist and making Dreams come true.
If you are an artist and want your music played on my program please submit a request to [email protected]
I have always been one of those people that needed someone around. At times in my life I was very codependent. Sacrificing who I was in order to fit in with others.
I married at 19. I was married for almost 10 years. Of those 10 years the best part of those years of my unhappy was the joys of my two babies. I married for all the wrong reasons. When those 10 years came to an end I found myself longing for a fix. Needing someone, anyone to be there to fill this NEED! I developed codependent friendships. I began to drink and felt I “needed” the alcohol to function.
I went searching for a replacement husband and father figure to my kids. I met a man and spent four long torturous years in and out of this relationship. Only to keep going back to this hell I had created with this NEED! When I finally broke away from this toxic relationship, well I was on to filling that need with dating and friends.
I woke up one day and said who in the world am I? What do I like and don’t like? What happen to my dreams and my style? What happen to my smile?
I have had many life experiences and hurts. It has taken me many years to figure out who I am and who He called me to be. It’s really easy to get my self caught up in thinking I need things a certain way! I can also let myself thinking that I need my relationships to function. The truth is I want the relationships. I want the people I love in my life. But I NEED GOD!
God is the only ONE I have found that won’t let me down!! God is the only ONE who never leaves me or forsakes me.
I want to pursue my dreams, I want to have my babies close to me, I want to have a special man in my life. I want to have close friends and family around me ALWAYS!! BUT what I am learning through years of having it backwards is I NEED ONLY GOD. GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MAINTAIN THE WANTS!
He supplies all my needs. Not just financially but emotionally and spiritually. He is a Father, a Husband, a Friend, a comforter, Counselor and My everything!!!
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
