Think about retiring after greater than 15 years as a police officer and SWAT group member following a life-altering incident. Then, think about pursuing music in Nashville—not solely as a private therapeutic outlet but in addition as a technique 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 Way of life 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 certain. I had a couple of key vital incidents, reminiscent of an officer-involved taking pictures 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 wanting like I used to be going to be leaving, I used to be attempting to determine what the subsequent transfer could be, since a lot of my skilled life and identification had been instantly tied to regulation enforcement—it was all I had performed since I used to be 22 years previous.”
Nonetheless, life and religion had different plans. He remembers:
“My spouse was the primary one who stated 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.’ Surprisingly although, the thought of shifting our entire life to return out right here and pursue this path began to take root and made increasingly more sense as time handed—and at the side of lots of prayer and religion that we had 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 of us 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 jot down one thing that may assist somebody who was in that darkish place. I wished to return from a unique angle although, so I wrote it from the attitude of the surviving buddies/household. The thought behind it was to indicate/clarify to the person who’s in that darkish place that regardless of how a lot they persuade themselves that their buddies, household, or the world usually could be higher off with out them, they received’t. And that the ache they’re feeling when the ‘hammers down’ doesn’t finish—it passes to these they love.”
Michael is keen to share a number of significant tasks together with his followers, reflecting a few of the most private songwriting of his profession. As he explains:
“I not too long ago recorded 4 deeply private acoustic tasks, every constructed round songs I’ve held shut for a very long time. These items symbolize not solely my journey as a songwriter but in addition my experiences as a police officer, son, and human being navigating each heartbreak and hope.”
The primary observe, “Hammer Down,” explores the wrestle of somebody on the verge of giving up. Michael’s aim was to offer voice to that battle in a approach that encourages anybody in a darkish place to achieve out yet another time—reminding them there may be all the time a motive 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 music from the person’s perspective: exhausted, hopeless, and asking God one last query—”Is it heat in Heaven?”
The third observe, “I Obtained a Bottle” (launched on 7/18), was written in response to the tragic Lakewood taking pictures in Washington, when 4 cops—one among whom Michael knew personally—had been murdered in a espresso store. The music serves as a tribute, constructed on the hope that even when family members are taken too quickly, there shall be a reunion in Heaven, the place they’ll increase 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 technique to put issues that may be very painful right into a setting that enables of us to stroll by means of these struggles and face these pains in a secure and therapeutic approach.”
By the ability of a easy, comforting melody, Michael’s music proves that artwork generally is a lifeline—and that generally the proper music on the proper time can save a life or information somebody from darkness to gentle.
Thanks, Michael, for this highly effective interview with Social Way of life Journal!
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