Kelly Minter: Interview with singer, writer Kelly Minter

Links...

Kelly's new album on Cross Driven Records - 'Wrestling the Angels'

"I pulled the title for the record, and for the song itself, from Genesis where it talks about Jacob wrestling the angel of God all night to the point of exhaustion. Even in his weary state, Jacob said 'I will not let You go until you bless me.' He refused to excuse himself form the trial until He received what the Lord desired to give Him. I have endured my own periods of struggle, but feel like I have walked out so much richer because God cut away the branches that were not bearing fruit and bolstered the ones that were." - Kelly Minter

Kelly Minter

"When I put pen to paper for either a song or a book, I can't help but retrace my steps to my spiritual roots and my relationship with Christ. Having that Christian foundation and being encouraged to make my faith my own, rather than just adhering to an already established template, has really been a blessing that's built my foundation. I look forward to passing along anything that I have plundered from my own struggles, and hope to be a vessel that helps strengthen others."

We recently had the opportunity to meet and interview Kelly Minter ...

MQ: I enjoyed doing research for this interview...I'm also a preacher's kid...

KM: I had a good experience....I hope you had a good experience...

MQ: Yes I did, it was good. Now, you grew up in Washington D.C...

KM: Right outside of the D.C. area in northern Virginia. I really did have a great experience because my dad - both of my parents - lived what they taught. Whatever my dad taught from the pulpit was really his real life. I think that's a big thing. Most kids who grow up in a pastors home get messed up because they're hearing two different messages. They're hearing one message and seeing something else. My dad was real consistent. He also always put our family before the church, so that always made me feel valued, special. The church was always real supportive so I enjoyed it.

MQ: Was there a certain point in time or moment when you realized you wanted to do this for a living?

KM: I really grew up playing sports and my senior year in high school I had scholarship offer to play basketball. Through a series of events outside of my control, I ended up losing the scholarship and because of that, I picked up the guitar and went in a different route. It was sort of therapeutic process for me and it kind of triggered this whole music thing. I met some artists and it was one of those things where I thought, 'Ah, that seems like a really interesting thing to do' and one thing led to the next. Kelly Minter discovers a passion for music I went to a couple of concerts and different things that really triggered that passion for me.

MQ: You mentioned that you started learning eight chords - which is twice as many as you need for a Beatles hit...

KM: Yes - exactly!

all: laughing

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