Think about retiring after greater than 15 years as a police officer and SWAT workforce member following a life-altering incident. Then, think about pursuing music in Nashville—not solely as a private therapeutic outlet but additionally as a method to join listeners with tales of religion, resilience, and life in regulation enforcement. That’s the unbelievable journey behind the blossoming music profession of nation artist Michael Lisenby. It’s an honor to share my interview with him for the readers of Social Life-style Journal.
Lisenby’s journey from retired police officer to impartial nation music artist is each inspiring and deeply private. As he described in his personal phrases:
“Lengthy story, and unplanned journey for positive. I had just a few key vital incidents, comparable to an officer-involved capturing that I used to be concerned in. It actually affected me in lots of methods and in the end modified my trajectory, quasi-forcing a pivot to the place I ended up getting out of regulation enforcement after 15.5 years. As soon as it was trying like I used to be going to be leaving, I used to be making an attempt to determine what the following transfer could be, since a lot of my skilled life and id had been straight tied to regulation enforcement—it was all I had completed since I used to be 22 years outdated.”
Nonetheless, life and religion had different plans. He remembers:
“My spouse was the primary one who mentioned out loud, ‘What if we moved to Nashville and gave music a shot?’ We had been out to Nashville as soon as earlier than for me to play Whiskey Jam, so we had little or no expertise within the ‘music scene.’ Unusually although, the thought of transferring our entire life to return out right here and pursue this path began to take root and made an increasing number of sense as time handed—and together with lots of prayer and religion that we have been going the place God was main us.”
Music as a software for therapeutic has been central to Michael’s journey. He explains:
“It was paramount in my therapeutic journey. Initially, I wrote songs for myself and my very own expression. But it surely wasn’t lengthy earlier than I began realizing that lots of people resonated with the tales and songs I used to be writing, and it was serving to them alongside their journey.”
One in every of Michael Lisenby’s notable songs is “Hammer Down,” which addresses the fact of psychological well being, deep emotional struggles and moments of despair. Michael displays:
“I’ve been to so many instances over time, I wished to put in writing one thing which may assist somebody who was in that darkish place. I wished to return from a distinct angle although, so I wrote it from the attitude of the surviving buddies/household. The concept behind it was to point out/clarify to the individual that’s in that darkish place that regardless of how a lot they persuade themselves that their buddies, household, or the world basically could be higher off with out them, they gained’t. And that the ache they’re feeling when the ‘hammers down’ doesn’t finish—it passes to these they love.”
Michael is raring to share a number of significant tasks along with his followers, reflecting among the most private songwriting of his profession. As he explains:
“I just lately recorded 4 deeply private acoustic tasks, every constructed round songs I’ve held shut for a very long time. These items characterize not solely my journey as a songwriter but additionally my experiences as a police officer, son, and human being navigating each heartbreak and hope.”
The primary observe, “Hammer Down,” explores the battle of somebody on the verge of giving up. Michael’s aim was to provide voice to that battle in a manner that encourages anybody in a darkish place to succeed in out yet one more time—reminding them there may be at all times a purpose to carry on.
The second, “Is It Heat in Heaven,” was impressed by a second Michael will always remember—a dialog with a homeless man throughout a bitterly chilly winter in Washington whereas on patrol. He wrote the tune from the person’s perspective: exhausted, hopeless, and asking God one closing query—”Is it heat in Heaven?”
The third observe, “I Acquired a Bottle” (launched on 7/18), was written in response to the tragic Lakewood capturing in Washington, when 4 cops—one in all whom Michael knew personally—have been murdered in a espresso store. The tune serves as a tribute, constructed on the hope that even when family members are taken too quickly, there can be a reunion in Heaven, the place they’ll elevate one other glass collectively.
Lastly, “Shake the Hand of a Hero” honors the knowledge and recommendation handed down from his father. It’s a heartfelt reflection on the teachings of integrity, braveness, and love—and a celebration of the on a regular basis heroism present in residing and significant life.
Do you like how music can join folks from all walks of life? Michael believes music has the ability to heal. He displays:
“I feel music is such a particular medium that may take folks to a spot emotionally and spiritually like nothing else—a method to put issues that may be very painful right into a setting that permits people to stroll by means of these struggles and face these pains in a protected and therapeutic manner.”
Via the ability of a easy, comforting melody, Michael’s music proves that artwork could be a lifeline—and that generally the appropriate tune on the proper time can save a life or information somebody from darkness to gentle.
Thanks, Michael, for this highly effective interview with Social Life-style Journal!
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