FEATURED ARTIST
SHELLY WILSON

1.How old were you when you started singing?

I really do not remember an exact age. I sang a lot behind closed doors while I was in middle school and didn't really perform until I was in high school. I have always had a passion to perform and sing.


2. Who are the music artists that have had the greatest influence on your music?

Barbara Mandrell has always been a role model for me. I grew up watching her and loving her. I also love The McRaes, Mary Alessi, and Vicki Winans.


3. What is the most important lesson you've learned as an independent music artist?

The most important is to stay focused on the Lord at all times...through good and bad, ups and downs. When all things fade away, He will be all I need.


4. Have you ever wanted to resign from your career as an independent artist and pursue another career?

I honestly have never wanted to resign from singing. I would love to do it more!


5. What is the most encouraging thing you've experienced as an independent artist?

One of the most is the lovely people of God I meet on this journey. The other artists I foster relationships with as we cross paths and how we love to sit and talk about our walk with the Lord. It's encouraging to have others who do what you do share the daily struggles and joys with you so you are not alone.


6. What is the most discouraging thing you've experienced as an independent artist?

Sometimes people question whether you are "performing" or ministering. Especially those who knew your past before Jesus took the reigns. That is discouraging at times...We in the church speak a lot of salvation and grace but there are many times when people do change their life and we are unwilling to accept the change and offer support and encouragment. I do not think that is what God intended.


7. Do you sometimes doubt if you have what it takes to make it in the music business? If so, how do you deal with it?

I don't doubt it. I know it. I do not have what it take in myself. I lack the skill, the talent, and the knowledge. But I do know God led me here and promised me this road in some capacity. For that I try to trust fully in Him. It is not about what I can do, but about what HE can do.


8. Have you ever had to deal with stage fright? If so, how did you deal with it?

Absolutely, when I was younger I would open my mouth to sing and NOTHING would come out. I would run out of the church crying. Even when I did sing for years, my voice would shake and tremble and my heart would race. I never really dealt with it.. I sang in some venues for awhile where no one was really listening and as I realized that, I just overcame it. It's like anything else, the more you do it, the less frightening it becomes. Although I always still get plenty nervous wanting to make sure I do all the Lord wants me to do.


9. How do you deal with the ups and downs of show business?

I haven't experienced much of the show business part. I am pretty ordinary and still a nobody to the world if you will. I try to stay focused on one voice...


10. What are your long-term goals for your music career/ministry?

Honestly, where ever the Lord wants me. I have learned that so many times my thoughts of where I should be are not where His are. He wants daily ministry occurring, whether I am on a stage singing or working my day job. He wants everyone to see Him. I have learned to simply wait on Him and let Him guide me.


11. Is your CD available for sale at Christian stores? If so, where?

My CD is available at www.shellywilson.com, www.indieheaven.com, or my home town Brookshires Grocery Store in Troup. TX. I am also available on Itunes and most digital companies.


12. Your CD is for sale on itunes. How long do you think it will be before your new albums aren't on CD at all and are only available as digital files available for download online?

I am not sure we are that far from it but I still love my CD's.


13. Do you think that sometimes God uses your passions and your characteristics and other traits that He created in you for His advantage?

Oh Yeaaaaaaaa! I am highly Obsessive Compulsive. I know as sure as I sit here that He knew I would use it for Him one day and that I would be unable to venture back. It's not in my personality.


14. Do you feel that sometimes we must be broken to serve God?!

I feel many and most times we must be broken. I would never have the compassion for the lost that I do without that history. Even growing up in a church sometimes lends us to become habitual or ritualistic and we begin to take God for granted. We don't grow in our relationship with Him and we think we know it all. I think we must be broken and many times on more than one occasion.


15. Has anything special happened to you while you were on a prayer walk?

I always feel the power of God on anytime of prayer retreat. I have had the support of a beautiful group of women that meet weekly for prayer. There is nothing like focusing on prayer with God. Whether is is a walk or anywhere else. The first song I have ever written was on a prayer walk. Start to finish.


16. What is a prayer walk?

A prayer walk is simply going on a walk and praying. Sometimes its personal time and sometimes it's to call on God to protect an area or event. I believe in praying over situtations, events, places, to bind the enemy and to have the Lord place His angels on guard.


17. What do you like best about Southern Gospel music?

I like the versatility. I venture from straight Southern gospel often but it always fits the genre. There is a lot of praising in Southern Gospel. I love joyful worship.


18. Why did you join Christian D.I.V.A.s?

Because it was a group of women simply following God and using the gifts He game them. There is no competition only admiration, love, and support. Everyone in ministry needs guidance at times from those who have been in it longer and everyone can use counsel many times through a certain situation. Ministry is not always easier and God gave us each other to provide loving, Christian support.


19. How did you come to know Christ as your Savior?

I was a young kid at church and the Spirit just wooed me down the aisle. However, not until late 20's and about 30 years old did the Lord become Lord of ALL my life and the focus of my life. There was a long period of time where I would argue that I knew a lot about Jesus but I didn't really know Him personally. There is a big difference. But many times it is a process and a journey. When He became my King and the lover of my soul, He allowed illness and brokeness to get me to turn to Him. I had nothing left to do but to turn to Him. Without that time it is likely that I would have never even heard His voice or realized He was so real.


20. Now that you know Christ, is life always easy for you or do you still struggle?

This is just a misconception. The day I sold out to Jesus was the day my life became harder. The road to be like Jesus is not paved with roses. But thorns...lots of pruning and coming face to face with your own sin. The enemy makes you the mortal enemy at that point and He goes to work. He causes jealousy, deceit, illness, doubt, unbelief, and much more. That is when you learn to battle and rely on God in all things. That all things work together for your good no matter how horrible they seem. That God never breaks a promise, and that where there are mountains there will be valleys. But you can count on the fact that you will never face them alone. I would never go back to the life of easy. There is no more thrilling adventure than the one I have had with Jesus. To have the Lord of Lords speak to little me, show me new joys like songwriting which I never would have imagined, and to allow me to make the ugly parts of my life be used to give Him glory..Nope..never turning back:)