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 strategy to join listeners with tales of religion, resilience, and life in regulation 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 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 essential incidents, akin to an officer-involved capturing that I used to be concerned in. It actually affected me in loads of methods and finally 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 making an attempt to determine what the subsequent transfer could be, since a lot of my skilled life and identification had been immediately tied to regulation enforcement—it was all I had achieved since I used to be 22 years previous.”
Nevertheless, 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 concept of shifting our complete life to come back out right here and pursue this path began to take root and made an increasing number of sense as time handed—and along side loads 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. Nevertheless it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I began realizing that loads of people 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 circumstances over time, I needed to put in writing one thing which may assist somebody who was in that darkish place. I needed to come back from a special angle although, so I wrote it from the angle of the surviving buddies/household. The concept behind it was to point out/clarify to the individual that’s in that darkish place that irrespective of how a lot they persuade themselves that their buddies, household, or the world typically 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 keen to share a number of significant initiatives together with his followers, reflecting a number 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 observe, “Hammer Down,” explores the wrestle of somebody on the verge of giving up. Michael’s aim was to present voice to that battle in a manner that encourages anybody in a darkish place to achieve out another time—reminding them there’s at all times 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 Bought a Bottle” (launched on 7/18), was written in response to the tragic Lakewood capturing in Washington, when 4 law enforcement officials—one in all whom Michael knew personally—have 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 will likely be a reunion in Heaven, the place they will 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 superb 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 feel music is such a particular medium that may take folks to a spot emotionally and spiritually like nothing else—a strategy to put issues that may be very painful right into a setting that permits people to stroll by way of these struggles and face these pains in a secure and therapeutic manner.”
By the ability of a easy, comforting melody, Michael’s music proves that artwork could be a lifeline—and that generally the precise music on the proper time can save a life or information somebody from darkness to mild.
Thanks, Michael, for this highly effective interview with Social Life-style Journal!
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