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Kelly Minter's sound has been called a cross between Norah Jones and Sheryl Crow.
"This project is very raw and special to me. I've gone through such search and struggle in my own life that I've had to go to the Lord and just be blatantly honest with Him. And that's come out in the songwriting." - Kelly Minter
MQ: What role do you see as music playing in this current culture?
KM: Music is such a gift from God. It's some intangible, undefinable thing. I think that any form of music that is high quality and executed with skill and grace and all of those things - ultimately points to our Creator. Especially when we're splashing lyrics up against the backdrop of that great music - lyrics that point to Christ - man, what a powerful thing! What a great thing. How many times have you looked at a cd and thought, 'Oh man, I listened to that through a really tough time, and it really got me through' or 'I worship to this cd' or 'When I'm in a good mood, I put in this record.' It's an enhancer of experience and it's a healer. So, obviously, if we can use our music to point to Christ - and I think good music points to Him anyhow - but when we're really specific and intentional about it, I think it can bring great change to our culture.
MQ: What are you listening to these days....?
KM: I actually have the latest Annie Lennox in my cd player right now. I had the Jill Phillips in there for a long time, she's just fantastic. The 'Lifehouse' cd - I really like....
MQ: Have you ever gotten a reaction to your music or your writing that's really surprised you - that's made you think 'Wow, that's cool, I'm glad I'm doing this'...?
KM: You know, it's funny...yes - there have been lots of things that have really blessed me - I think I'm always kind of surprised when I hear somebody say, 'Oh, I heard your song driving through Arizona' or whatever. That always kinds of blows me away - that I could be checking out at the grocery store and my song is playing in another part of the country. That always surprises me a little bit.
MQ: What do you do to prepare for a show? You know, just to try to add some sort of normalcy to the experience.
KM: Not really. I try and add normalcy and be somewhat ritualistic about my day in general - whether I'm performing or not. Trying to start my day thanking the Lord, or spending time in scripture, whatever it looks like...maybe exercise...trying to plug these certain things in regardless of whether I'm singing. Then that seems to tie in really nicely on those days that I am singing, just to prepare myself. I would say if anything, I usually like to have a few minutes of time by myself - of quiet, to prepare mentally.
MQ: Where do you see yourself in five years?
KM: Umm, I don't know. If I could just give you my finite 'Kelly Minter plan'...I see myself speaking and singing and sharing the Bible...writing as well - as I have a book out. But you never know what the Lord has, so those are the things if I had to guess...
MQ: Is there anything else you want us to know...this is sort of the 'one minute shameless self-promotion' sort of thing.
KM: (laughing) Yeah, I guess if it's 'shameless self-promotion'...I'm excited about the record that I have out...'Wrestling Angels' - Margaret Becker produced part of it. I'm also excited about the book I have coming out called 'Water into Wine.' So...that's all the 'shameless-ness' I have ... (laugh)