Transparent Christian Magazine

Recently Transparent Christian Magazine caught up with Christian singer/songwriter performer ‘Tawana.’ We talked about songwriting, her latest cd “Just Sing” and the organization ‘Covenant Eyes’ that she is supporting with some of the proceeds.

If you run in any songwriting circles or go to church events in the Houston area, you have already heard of Tawana or listened to her music. For the rest of you, check out her bio here.

Tawana is growing her ministry, and her take on songwriting is maturing as well, and the News/Blog section of her website talks about this growth:

The Lord is leading me to write music lately about topics that may challenge us to step out of our comfort zone for Christ, and for me to talk about things that may not be openly talked about in the church… I have just finished writing a new song called: “I’ll Still Stand”. I am very excited about this one because it challenges people to stand for what they believe in, knowing it’s the right thing to do. And for them to not compromise their values/beliefs “as a Christian” to please other people (even in the midst of persecution)-Realizing, that in the big scheme of things, it’s what God thinks that really matters… I will be recording this one in the near future. Style wise, this song is a Rock Ballad. You have to come to one of my events to check it out as it’s not recorded “yet”.

Tawana’s Calendar.

TCM: I have struggled with wanting to please others and worried so much about what they think, instead of working hard at pleasing God. What lead you to this place of no fear and focus on God vs. others?
Tawana: To be honest, I can’t say that I never struggle with fear and trying to please others. Being a music artist, anytime I’m on stage or my music’s being played on a radio station, I’m ‘putting myself out there’ and being critiqued. It’s a thing where I remind myself that I’m singing for an “audience of one” (God). The title of my project “Just Sing!” (based on Psalm 100) is a direct outgrowth of this topic and encompasses my testimony. I have a health issue that can directly affect my singing. I do believe that it does help to remind me that God’s the one who enables me to do what I do. And I totally put my dependence on him.

Knowing this, has really helped me in stepping out in faith and stomping on top of the spirit of fear. Also, I learned something through going to one of Tom Jackson’s live performance classes: 3% of your audience doesn’t like you and it won’t matter what you do. 97% of your audience does like you. Focus on the 97%!!

TCM: Great advice! What are you listening to these days?
Tawana: Third Day, Christopher Ames, my own music (I know that sounds strange), and getting ready to check out Article One.

TCM: What would someone be surprised to know about you?
Tawana: (Laughs) I love to watch reruns and DVDs of “Gunsmoke”. I guess it would be a surprise because I don’t prefer to listen to the “Old Country” Music. My favorite music is CCM & Christian Rock. I grew up in S.E. Oklahoma with my dad listening to the Old Country. Which, may have caused me to rebel (SMILE). But I think what got my interest in Gunsmoke was Matt and Kitty’s relationship. Of course, all women love the idea of having a hero “come save the day” (Kind of romantic). I do watch it with my husband though!

TCM: Tell me about your writing process.
Tawana: I write my lyrics first, then I come up with the melody. Then I have to find a musician to arrange the music since I play enough by ear to get myself in trouble. From that point, I have it produced if it’s going on a project.

TCM: This is one of my favorite questions… Does a song have to have the word ‘Jesus’ or ‘God’ in it to be a Christian song?
Tawana: No. I have a couple of songs that have Christian themes but I don’t think you literally have to have the name “Jesus” or “God” in it in order for it to be a Christian song (examples: “Living in Limbo”, and “I’ll Still Stand” a song on the 2nd project)

TCM: What are a few of your goals over the next year or so?
Tawana: Well, as with most artists/bands, I’d like to expand my ministry more on a regional level, possibly into the midwest (from Texas to Michigan) with more ministry opportunities as well as airplay. I’d like to complete a 2nd CD (with the help of others so it doesn’t take as long the 2nd time), I’d like to do more conferences (especially ones that deal with purity and the internet and the family-women’s ministry as well as single’s and couple’s’ ministries), I’d like to possibly have one of my songs picked up by a major label artist, do a tour with a major label artist/band (”Casting Crowns”-they’re partners with CE too), and possibly do some touring in Canada and overseas (like in Europe, Germany, or even in Australia or New Zealand). I’m not really looking to get signed as I like the freedom that I have. But if the right deal comes along, I would definitely pray about God’s direction on that.

TCM: Tell me about Covenant Eyes and your relationship with them. How did you get hooked up with that organization? They have a great ministry.
Tawana: CovenantEyes.com is an Internet Accountability/Filter Software Service that people can use to protect themselves & or their family while they’re on the Internet. It is endorsed by “Focus On The Family” their headquarters is in Owasso, MI. They are on the front lines of helping fight Internet Pornography by offering this service to people who maybe struggling with Internet Pornography Addiction. Also, it helps people to prevent them from ever becoming addicted to Porn. Men, are generally viewed as the ones who struggle the most. But it does affect everyone, including women and children (directly and indirectly). It’s a common problem that’s infiltrated the Body of Christ & is more common of a problem than people even realize. I started partnering with CE due to seeing so many of my friends get divorces due to one of the spouses having an internet addiction and refusing to get help or even admit they had a problem. Also, in my first marriage, my husband (currently, ex husband) cheated on me through the internet. And I have my suspicions that he was viewing pornography as well. More recently, I decided to partner with CE after finding out that a friend of mine had an Internet Addiction along with his problem going beyond the screen of his computer. I decided I was tired of the devil using this sin to put people into bondage. So, through a referral, I decided to partner with CE as an Artist Affiliate to join in the fight against Internet Porn and Pornography as a whole. God’s already been using my affiliation to reach others and bring freedom. I am donating $1.00 per CD from my 2nd run of CDs to CovenantEyes.com’s hardship fund (for people who struggle but can’t afford the service). Also, I’m making people aware that they can donate even if they don’t buy a CD or have already bought one. Currently, I’m finishing up a song called “In The Dark” that I will be having produced in the months ahead. I will be releasing it as a single for CE to use & hopefully, get airplay to go head on with Internet Addiction.

TCM: Tell me about a great concert you had recently.
Tawana: The most recent one wasn’t a concert. It was a T.V. show performance on “Daystar Network” (”Houston Celebration”). I enjoyed doing it because there was the potential of up to 5 million people watching that program. We had several people call in for prayer.

Editor’s Note: It appears that you can view Daystar’s programs online, but they seem to be a few weeks behind. Check back here: http://www.daystar.com/programs in a few weeks to listen to Tawana’s performance.

TCM: What makes a concert great for you?
Tawana: I love it when people come up for prayer, and it’s great to see several people giving their hearts to Christ for the first time. Other times I am really enjoying myself is when I have a good turn out and see people responding to the music by clapping, raising hands, singing with you, paying attention (Smile). Showing that they’re really listening to what you’re singing and saying on stage. And people wanting to hang around afterwards to talk with me or ask for prayer.

TCM: What’s up with your new cd?
Tawana: Well, right now, I have it available on the internet and I have it available at Heaven’s Way Christian bookstore in Tomball, TX. The title is “Just Sing!”. It’s a collection of songs that I personally wrote (w/2 of the songs having co writers-one with an award winning songwriter). Just about all of the songs were produced in Nashville by Jeff Nelson Productions. It took me a year and a 1/2 to pay for it as I didn’t have a major label fronting the production money. I did have all the musicians that the majors use though!!

TCM: When did it drop and how has it been received so far?

Tawana: I released it on November 18,2007. Everyone who’s bought it whether it’s the physical CD or a digital copy, has said great things about it. What I enjoy the most is when someone tells me that one of the songs has touched or ministered to them in some way. It lets me know that God definitely had a purpose for that song, and He used me to get that song out for the people who needed to hear it. I need to get more promo out about my CD especially online. I think people are more likely to want to purchase a CD when they personally know a person or experience their music “live”. I’m hoping I’m able to reach more people this fall as more folks hear about it and come out to my shows. As far as on line places to buy the cd, people can go to my website: www.Tawana.org, and a few other places! (Smiles)
www.Indiehaven.com/artists/Tawana
www.OutboundMusic.com/Tawana
www.CDBaby.com/CD/Tawana
www.itunes.com, www.Playpay.com, www.Amazon.com, www.Napster.com

Go listen to her music, see her in concert and pick up a cd!