I have been listening to Tommy Brandt for awhile now.  I have always loved his music.  Tommy is one of the top Christian Country artist out there.  His music has a true sound of Country Music with Lyrics of Christ Love.

I had been following Tommy on social media for awhile when I got to meet him this last November at the ICM Awards Week.  You know sometimes we anticipate what someone will be like in person when all we know is the media side of them.  I can tell you that Tommy’s heart is big and full of God’s Love.  I attended a Session at the ICM week where Tommy and a few other artist talked to us about how to remain a Christian with what we face in this world of Ministry today.  I watched Tommy share from his heart of situations where he faced hurts in his ministry.  I watched as he spoke and all I saw was a real man with a heart after God. More than ever in today’s world these are the kind of role models we need out there in the music industry

Interview with Tommy Brandt!!

Tommy Brandt is a gifted singer/songwriter who has spent the last twelve years touring the country spreading his down home message of faith, hope, and love through music, testimony and stories about his own life. In that time he has become a leader in his field winning multiple Inspirational Country Music Awards including “New Artist of the Year” in 2004 and “Male Vocalist of the Year” five times. He also was honored by the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 with a “Visionary Award” for his contributions to Christian Music using Inspirational Country Music with lyrics that encourage Faith, Family and Country. This Florida boy has the unique distinction in his genre to have had his first 16 singles top the Christian Music Charts. Tommy’s newest album was just released and is receiving great reviews nationally. His latest project titled “Praise Hymn” speaks for itself.

 

 

How long have you been singing Country and Inspirational Country Music?

Tommy:  I started out singing Country music back in the 90s with a band called “New South”. In 1997 I rededicated my life to Christ and began singing Christian Country Music and in 2003 made a full time career in the ministry.

What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?

Tommy:  There have been many great influences along the way, but if I had to narrow it down to one it would have to be Garth Brooks. The way that he not only entertains, but communicates with his audience is phenomenal! I want to sit in front of a crowd of 2 people, or 20,000 people and make them feel like it’s a one on one concert. “Making a Difference one song at a time”. Other influences include Kenny Hinson, Del Way, Hank Williams Jr, and Eric Church.

 What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?

Tommy:  I released “No Turning Back” in 2003 and had my first #1 single with it. The first time that I heard it live on the air was on Powersource Top 20 Radio Show. It’s still one of my favorite songs to sing in concert.

 What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?

Tommy:  My first Christian concert was at a small Methodist Church in Okeechobee Florida where I led an elderly man to Christ. I didn’t really know how to give and invitation, or really how to lead someone to the Lord, but I poured out my heart and asked if anyone wanted what I had experienced with Christ and it happened. With calloused hands and tears rolling down his wrinkled face we held hands and prayed together. I knew this is what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life.  

 What motivates you to keep going when your tired?

Tommy:  It’s always that one lost soul that gives their heart to Christ that makes it all worth it and motivates me to keep on going.

Do you have any new projects in the making?

Tommy:  I just completed a new project called Praise Hymn. It’s a double CD box set with Praise and Worship songs on one CD and Hymnal songs on the other. We’re excited about the reviews that it is receiving.

What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?

Tommy:  I have a version of “Unclouded Day” out to radio now and am getting ready to release one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever recorded and written called “Broken”.

Do you write any of your own songs?

Tommy:  I write the majority of the songs that I sing. Although, when I hear a song that really moves me I am happy to record it.

What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing?

Tommy:  Definitely the song I mentioned earlier “Broken”. I recently wrote this song as a testimony about my life.

Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?

Tommy:  I had broken 3 ribs the day before a 3 day revival where I was preaching and singing. The pain was excruciating! Just before service I took a pain pill that I had never tried before that the Doctor had prescribed and literally had an outer body experience on stage. I was singing for the offering and wrote my own offering song as I was singing it. It was hilarious! It was like I was standing in front of myself watching in amusement as I played guitar and came up with comical lyrics on the fly. I wished that it would have been on video.

What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?

Tommy:  Jeremiah 29:11. It gives me the promise of hope and a future no matter what I’m going through.

Can you tell me a little about Beyond Music Productions?

Tommy:  My wife Michelle and I felt led to begin mentoring young artists getting started in the music ministry about 5 years ago. There are so many talented youth out there ready to serve the Lord but have no idea what to do or how to follow their calling. We want to be there to lead them through the steps to achieve their goals and calling without all of the pitfalls that the music industry presents. We currently have 12 artists that we’re working with and really enjoy watching them grow.

What is your vision to work with today’s youth in the music industry?

Tommy:  Our vision is to have workshops across the country to train and mentor artists as we travel.

 

Thank you Tommy for this interview.

 

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie Gilman