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In this episode, world-renowned musician, music director and recording artist West Byrd reveals the secrets on how to find your own sound from his experience as a top musician in R&B, jazz and other genres.

From his early years as a reluctant musician, West shares how he had to struggle with insecurity from his unique musical background for years before he finally got comfortable with his sound, all while working with some of the brightest stars in the music industry.

You'll discover in this episode how even a winding road through the creative industry can lead to you confidently sharing your gifts.

ABOUT WEST BYRD
A classically-trained pianist, West Byrd began honing his prodigious talent at the tender age of five. Eventually gravitating toward the music of jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and Miles Davis, West reflects their greatness in his unique artistry.

He has worked with top artists such as Sheila E, Nathan East, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Chante Moore, Taylor Hicks, Kenny Lattimore, Lee Ritenour, Chuck Loeb, and Kirk Whalum to name a few.

In addition to being a force in the music industry, West has also showcased his talents in the television and film industry with companies like BET, Paramount Pictures, Universal, Warner Bros, Dreamworks, and ESPN.

CONNECT with OUR GUEST

westbyrd.com
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

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NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

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TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
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It's a musical exodus, but why is it happening?

A lot of church musicians are quitting playing on Sundays. They don't see the benefit, or they are frustrated and burned out by the battles and internal struggles of ministry.

However, some church musicians have THRIVED while playing every Sunday. What's the difference?

In this Creative Checkup excerpt, I (Allen) will share why I remain a church musician while others have decided to step away. We'll examine a video by our good friend John Mike on why he left, and compare that to the reasons that led me to remain active in music ministry.

Watch John Mike's original video here

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

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Are you sick and tired of living the "starving artist" lifestyle?

If so, especially if you're a seasoned musician, it's way past time to break out of that mindset. And our guest has just the inspiring and informational message needed to transform your starving artist mindset into a confident creative mindset.

New York native Lennis Sabatino is a vocalist, vocal coach, and music business mentor who is relentless in her positivity and radiant joy. After working with some of the most iconic artists in the industry, she attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. then moved to South Florida to carve out her own unique career path. This incredible performer has graced many stages around the world with her sultry voice, from Carnegie Hall to Europe, to her performance at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Her new musician coaching program "Musician to Mogul" will help you and fellow musicians to break out of this demoralizing mindset and embrace smart strategies to grow your music career and improve your life!

Learn more about Lennis
Website
Apply to join Musician to Mogul

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

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We never saw this coming...but here we are.

300 episodes later, after starting this podcast on a pool table in our parents' garage, we're commemorating 7 years of podcasting and growing an amazing community. Our 'guest' is the person who knows better than anyone what's it's been like to see all of this come to pass - my (Allen's) wife Lia Paul.

While Lia has appeared a few times over the years, she really opens up about her own struggles both as a creative in her own right, and as a support to the overall vision of God and Gigs. This dynamic couple shares the real story behind taking risks, choosing the right opportunities, and prioritizing relationships as we build something special.

We are so grateful for EVERYONE who has liked, reviewed, subscribed and shared the podcast over the past 300 episodes. While we can't thank everyone right away, there's a wonderful collection of the kind souls you have reviewed and supported us over the years!

Support over the years shared at godandgigs.com/reviews

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

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The Bible says "don't despise small beginnings." Well, this episode is an example of why every small beginning can have a big ending.

As God and Gigs approaches its 7th anniversary and our 300th episode, we're sharing some of our most impactful episodes that still bring truth and inspiration to our community.

Back in 2017, when the podcast had just started, we had the opportunity to interview Warren Brown, a dynamic gospel musician and content creator who was riding high with his "Yank Nation" community.

Since then he has become one of the most respected and well-known musicians in gospel, but he has faced new challenges which were shared in our friend John Mike's podcast "The Hangout".

We encourage you to listen to this interview and then hear Warren's progress in his conversation with John Mike!

Click here to watch Warren Brown on "The Hangout"

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

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Wish you could get help to accomplish everything on your creative to-do list, but feel like you can't afford good help, or find people to stick with you?

Learn how we've figured out 3 ways to finally get the solid help you need without breaking the bank!

We shared this info on our creative checkup livestream on YouTube which airs every Friday at 1pm Eastern! If this is something you'd like to check out, join us here!

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

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Please don't listen to this episode.

We know, that's a strange thing to say. But for the first time, we prefer that you check out the video format of this topic because we couldn't do it justice in an audio format.

On August 9th, we shared a livestream workshop about the rash of untimely deaths suffered in the musician community, and the wake-up call that it is generating in our God and Gigs family.

To watch the livestream on Why Creatives Struggle to Stay Healthy, click here

In this brief summary, you'll hear two of the key takeaways from this livestream, but again - the best way to experience this is from the words of our community members themselves.

Below are some other links that will help you make better choices in your health journey.

Christian Health Cost Sharing
Medishare
Samaritan Ministries

HealthCare.gov

HEALTHY LIVING RESOURCES

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.

Tap to send us a text!

Support the show

NEW DEVOTIONAL ON YOUVERSION!

Would you like to understand God's creative process and apply it to your life?

Check out our new YouVersion Bible reading plan here!

NEW "DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE PERSONALITY" QUIZ!

We've developed this quiz to help you diagnose and discover where you currently stand in your journey as a faith-focused artist. You'll find out which of the 5 Christian Creative Personalities you're currently operating in and how to improve on your strengths and get help with your weaknesses.

Take the 5- minute quiz HERE

PODCAST MERCH
Get God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE!

GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? Exchange VALUE 4 VALUE!
You can share:
TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it
TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com
TREASURE:
Tap HERE to pick an amount to support the podcast monthly, OR:
Get a modern podcast app that allows you support us IN REAL TIME by sending us value digitally!
Get a new podcast app that supports these new features HERE.