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 approach to join listeners with tales of religion, resilience, and life in legislation enforcement. That’s the unimaginable 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 positive. I had a couple of key essential incidents, comparable to an officer-involved capturing that I used to be concerned in. It actually affected me in a number of methods and in the end modified my trajectory, quasi-forcing a pivot to the place I ended up getting out of legislation 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 following transfer could be, since a lot of my skilled life and id had been instantly tied to legislation enforcement—it was all I had completed since I used to be 22 years previous.”
Nevertheless, 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 concept of shifting our complete life to come back out right here and pursue this path began to take root and made increasingly sense as time handed—and along with a number 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. Nevertheless it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I began realizing that a number of of us resonated with the tales and songs I used to be writing, and it was serving to them alongside their journey.”
One among 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 circumstances through the years, 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 associates/household. The concept 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 associates, household, or the world generally 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 initiatives 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 initiatives, every constructed round songs I’ve held shut for a very long time. These items symbolize 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 monitor, “Hammer Down,” explores the battle of somebody on the verge of giving up. Michael’s objective was to offer voice to that battle in a approach that encourages anybody in a darkish place to achieve out another time—reminding them there may be at all times 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 tune from the person’s perspective: exhausted, hopeless, and asking God one ultimate query—”Is it heat in Heaven?”
The third monitor, “I Received 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 will probably be a reunion in Heaven, the place they will 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 dwelling a very good and significant life.
Do you’re keen on how music can join folks from all walks of life? Michael believes music has the ability to heal. He displays:
“I believe music is such a particular medium that may take folks to a spot emotionally and spiritually like nothing else—a approach to put issues that may be very painful right into a setting that enables of us to stroll via these struggles and face these pains in a protected and therapeutic approach.”
By the ability of a easy, comforting melody, Michael’s music proves that artwork generally is a lifeline—and that typically the suitable 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 Way of life Journal!
Skilled Artist Web site
Michael Lisenby Spotify Profile
Michael Lisenby Linktree Profile
