Serving the Voices Blog

Prologue

At the end of May, I was fortunate enough to attend the GMA Immerse Conference. (See previous blog post for details.) I wanted to bring some advice with me to share with new and emerging artists about life on the road. I reached out to several artists that had stayed with us (my husband, Greg and I have a Host Home in Albuquerque, NM) during their tours and proposed this question:

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing, one very valuable, life-saving, piece of advice before you set off on your very first tour what would it be?

I received awesome responses. Everything from the practical to the Spiritual. I love every single one of them, and will post them here someday – for it is all excellent advice.  Today, though, I offer this post to my friend, Joshua Fink. You’ll be inspired and encouraged and in the end, you will long to embrace the unexpected. 

Julia Saites, RYFO Communications Coordinator

Joshua Fink
Guitarist, Shine Bright Baby

In the 5 years of our existence, the band has been blessed with opportunities to tour with dozens of incredible artists. With each passing tour we learn a little more about God, ourselves, each other and how to travel more effectively.

If I could go back and tell myself one piece of valuable advice before I left for our first tour it would’ve been to embrace the unexpected.

When you tour you expend enormous amounts of energy making sure everything is as organized as possible. Spreadsheets brimming with hotel confirmations, venue addresses, and merchandise inventory guide you and your daily itinerary forward. By quantifying the entire tour you save time, energy, and money. The end goal is to evaporate any chance of the unexpected occurring. Eventually though, the unexpected will occur and while on the road, the unexpected can challenge your faith and erode your passion for music ministry altogether.

You see, our society has been recalibrated to center life around predictability, comfort and convenience. Hamburgers at McDonald’s taste the same in Ohio as they do in Florida, or Maine. We’ve been programed to a crave a safe, expected environment.

Let’s face it, we’re sheltered as a country so when something unexpected happens our response is one of shock, and then overreaction. We’re told that the unexpected is bad, that it can only come at the worst possible time. And while some unexpected events can be unfortunate I’ve learned that the unexpected can be good. It can become an opportunity.

I’ll never forget when our van was broken into in San Diego and we had $4,000 worth of personal electronics stolen. The feeling of helplessness and desperation was overwhelming.

As a band, we recognized we were under a spiritual attack and in that very moment lifted the situation (and the individual(s) who took our belongings) up in prayer. During that prayer, we surrendered our feeble attempt to control the situation. We embraced the unexpected and through that, God provided in astonishing ways.

Our band has dozens of stories where we encounter and rediscover God when we embrace the unexpected.

On one tour our van broke down in rural Montana and within minutes of being stranded we met an eccentric, and rather disheveled gentleman who happened to be a diesel mechanic. Twenty minutes after our breakdown, we were cruising down the road once again.

Those stories are just brief examples that show what can happen when you embrace the unexpected. I’m thoroughly convinced that on some tours we’ve encountered angels. It’s in those vulnerable, unexpected moments where Christ can show up and speak the loudest.

With each passing tour I’ve been slowly learning to embrace the unexpected. Realizing that our capacity to tour won’t last forever I’m beginning to consciously attempt to enjoy every moment, even the unexpected ones.

When you abandon your own selfish personal agenda you create space for opportunities to flourish, and for lives to be transformed.

Constantly reminding yourself that it’s not about you creates room for God to work.

With that being said, I want to encourage you to embrace the unexpected, to say yes, instead of no. I want to encourage you to give up control of your life, and allow God to take over.

When you give up control He will do something bold for you. He will challenge you. He will be your sustenance, your strength, and your unexpected.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Mind Your Business
By Julia Saites, RYFO Communications Coordinator

Ah, the music business.  I can’t pretend to be an expert on it, in fact, I can say that I may only know a bit more than the average Joe.  I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy an education of sorts from close friends who have made music for well over twenty years as both the musician and the producer.  It’s complicated to say the least and even artists who have been making music for years still get surprised sometimes with the business side of things.  It’s a difficult world to maneuver within.  It can be a killer of dreams or at the very least, it is a perplexing road most artists don’t care to explore.

GMA Immerse is helping demystify the business of music.  From May 26th through May 29th, the Gospel Music Association and LifeWay held a conference in Nashville specifically tailored to new artists and those interested in the music industry.  It was a glorious few days filled with informative sessions from music industry professionals, competitions for singers and songwriters and of course Jesus.  Make no mistake, Jesus was there.

Each morning began with a devotion from artists and speakers, Montell Jordan, Milam Byers and Mike Harland.  Some sessions had titles such as, “Artists Called To Be Warriors”, “Redefining Success: Understanding Your Artistry in the Context of Servanthood”, and “10 Ways to Make Your Soul Strong and 10 to Make Your Songs Sing”.  These sessions focused not only on the artist, but about making sure the “Why” of making music doesn’t get lost in the “How”.

It was a beautiful combination of encouraging new artists in their craft, equipping them with the business aspect of music and folding it together with the heart of God to send out disciples with passion and knowledge.

We at RYFO were thrilled to be a part of the conference, joining several other exhibitors set up to help encourage, inspire and educate the attendees.

We enjoyed meeting many artists from around the globe.  We were even treated to some impromptu performances at our booth.  For many it was the first time they had heard of RYFO and after explaining it was pronounced, “Rye-foe” we were able to offer them information about who we are and what we do.

The main draw for many touring musicians is our Host Home Network, currently comprised of 59 homes around the country.  Our Host Homes provide housing, food, laundry facilities, wifi, and other practical things (such as safe parking) to touring musicians/artists at no cost.  That information was usually met with a jaw drop and a look of confusion.  It was fun to watch time after time.

Yes, indeed, the RYFO Network serves musicians, all musicians at no cost.  Our Host Homes truly have the heart of servants and expect nothing in return.  We understand the journey is an arduous one and all we wish to do is give you some of what you may need to help you along.  Sometimes that comes in the form of a meal, peace and quiet, an ear to listen or a heart to heart conversation.

RYFO Host Homes are one part of who we are at RYFO, but at this event filled with an overwhelming amount of information, we were so glad to be able to say, “This part is easy.  We’ll help take care of you.”  So, yes, mind your business.  Learn all you can and do it to the very best of your ability. (Col. 3:23-24)  There is more to music than putting notes or lyrics on a page.  It’s difficult, but not impossible.  You can do it.  We’re here for you.