Al Grant's Interview with a Gospel Recording Artist

My name is Al Grant and welcome to my show. Joining us today is a gospel recording artist by the name of Alicia Ellison Grant. Thank you Ms. Grant for being our guest.

1.How long have you been singing gospel?
Gospel music really is an important part of my life. I started singing gospel at an early age. When I was a baby my father gave my mother a radio and she placed it beside my crib. She went onto explain how the music would always calm me down.

2.Why gospel? Out of all the different types of music you could have sang, why do you have a passion for gospel music?
I keep referring back to my childhood because that is where the seed was planted. I can recall my mother asking me what I wanted to be when I grow up? Normally when you ask a small child this question, the answer tends to change from time to time, but for me it remained the same. I would always reply,"I want to become a gospel singer." Even though my life has taken various turns some good and some not so good it has come full circle for me. My heart belongs to gospel music. I want to glorify the Giver of the gift.

3.Do you write your own songs?
Yes, I write a lot of my songs. I come up with the lyrics and then I have someone to put the music to the lyrics. The connection for me is that I may not be able to play the notes, but when I find the right person to place the music to the lyrics they hear the tune that I hear and the music reflects that.

4.You have written your first patriotic song. Tell us about that.
"Brave Soldiers of the USA." I wrote this song in honor of our troops. After the Sept.11th, attacks as you know we went to war and we are still at war. I wanted to do something that would show our troops how much they are appreciated for placing themselves in harms way 24-7. Half of the proceeds of this single benefit the USO of NC. They provide care packages for our troops and provide other services as well.

5.I have read that this song has brought you before many well-known people. Tell us a little about that.
Yes, this song has opened many doors for me. Last year I was given on opportunity to perform it at the Annual Veterans' Briefing at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds in North Carolina. This event was officiated by Congressmen Bob Etheridge and David Price. The State's Senator-elect, at that time, was also in attendance Kay Hagan. I was also very fortunate to perform it at the Raleigh State Capitol twice in one year. I will also be performing at the Raleigh State Fair on Oct. 21st for their Military Day Celebration. I'm very grateful to the Lord for how He is allowing this song to touch many lives.

6.What do you hope for your music to accomplish?
Wow! that is a great question and I think about it all the time. I know that it will cost me and I realize it comes with a price. I would like for my music not only to touch the masses, but I want it to glorify God. I want it to give honor where honor is due. I want it to lift burdens. I want people who are afflicted in their bodies to listen to the music and while they are listening their bodies are being healed. I want people to be set free and delivered through the music. What I want most of all is for people to be led to Christ.

Thank you so much Alicia for joining us and sharing a part of you. May God continue to bless and elevate you.

http://www.myspace.com/aliciaellisongrant

http://mycrossfactor.com/Alicia_Ellison_Grant/

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