Now let me tell you somethin’. I been raised up on both sides of the river—church on one bank, stage on the other. Grew up down South, right in the thick of Sunday mornin’ choir and school plays, so music and performance been stitched into my soul since I could tie my shoes. Third grade, they had me up on stage, doin’ skits and singin’ songs like I was born for the spotlight. And maybe I was.
See, the church gave me roots. Gave me a backbone. A sense of right and wrong, even when the world got crooked. I raised my own kids in that same spirit, knowin’ I couldn’t be there every minute—but hopin’ Jesus could. Church taught me to hold on to somethin’ bigger, somethin’ steady. Morals. Doctrine. Structure. All them things folks throw away too easy now. Just look at the government if you don’t believe me—chaos where there used to be a compass.
But here’s the kicker, baby—the stage? The stage gave me big wings.
Now, don’t get it twisted. I ain’t sayin’ church didn’t move folks. Lord knows I seen folks shout, cry, fall out cold, Spirit all over ‘em. I touched people in church. I seen the fire in their eyes. But the stage... that’s a whole ‘nother animal.
The stage gave me freedom. Ain’t no limit to how big the stage can be—just how bold you’re willin’ to be on it. You ain’t boxed in by a pulpit or pews. You’re standin’ wide open under them hot lights, singin’ your truth to anybody willin’ to listen. The same Spirit shows up, just dressed different. Might come in a guitar lick or a slow burnin’ groove instead of a hymn. But it’s still the same soul medicine.
That’s what the stage gave me: more people to heal. More ears to reach. More hearts to stir. Whether I make you stomp your foot, nod your head, or holler out loud—long as I move you, I done my job. That’s my ministry right there.
So I don’t hold back. Wouldn’t dare. The Good Book say, “withhold not good when it’s in your hand to do it.” So I don’t. Whether I’m prayin’ or playin’, I pour it out. Let whatever inside me use me up. Use me ‘til you use me up, like the man said.
And if you got somethin’ inside you? Some fire, some light, some rhythm? Don’t you hold that back neither. Church or club, stage or sidewalk—let that thing out. That’s what we here for.
Now tell me this—what stage in your life been callin’ your name, but you been too scared to step on it? Dont be scared!