Think about retiring after greater than 15 years as a police officer and SWAT staff 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 Way of life Journal.
Lisenby’s journey from retired police officer to unbiased 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 a number of key essential incidents, resembling an officer-involved taking pictures that I used to be concerned in. It actually affected me in quite a lot 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 subsequent transfer could be, since a lot of my skilled life and id had been immediately tied to regulation enforcement—it was all I had executed since I used to be 22 years outdated.”
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.’ Unusually although, the thought of shifting our entire life to come back out right here and pursue this path began to take root and made increasingly sense as time handed—and at the side of quite a lot of prayer and religion that we have been going the place God was main us.”
Music as a instrument 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. However it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I began realizing that quite a lot of of us resonated with the tales and songs I used to be writing, and it was serving to them alongside their journey.”
Considered one of Michael Lisenby’s notable songs is “Hammer Down,” which addresses the truth of psychological well being, deep emotional struggles and moments of despair. Michael displays:
“I’ve been to so many instances over time, I needed to put in writing one thing that may assist somebody who was in that darkish place. I needed to come back from a unique angle although, so I wrote it from the attitude of the surviving pals/household. The thought behind it was to indicate/clarify to the individual that’s in that darkish place that regardless of how a lot they persuade themselves that their pals, household, or the world typically 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 raring to share a number of significant initiatives together with his followers, reflecting a few of the most private songwriting of his profession. As he explains:
“I lately recorded 4 deeply private acoustic initiatives, 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 wrestle of somebody on the verge of giving up. Michael’s objective was to provide voice to that battle in a approach that encourages anybody in a darkish place to succeed in out yet another time—reminding them there may be all the time a cause 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 track 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 taking pictures in Washington, when 4 law enforcement officials—one among whom Michael knew personally—have been murdered in a espresso store. The track serves as a tribute, constructed on the hope that even when family members are taken too quickly, there might 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 dwelling a very good and significant life.
Do you like how music can join individuals from all walks of life? Michael believes music has the facility to heal. He displays:
“I feel music is such a particular medium that may take individuals to a spot emotionally and spiritually like nothing else—a method to put issues that may be very painful right into a setting that enables of us to stroll by these struggles and face these pains in a secure and therapeutic approach.”
By the facility of a easy, comforting melody, Michael’s music proves that artwork is usually a lifeline—and that generally the best track on the proper time can save a life or information somebody from darkness to mild.
Thanks, Michael, for this highly effective interview with Social Way of life Journal!
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