1. For those readers who aren't familiar with your time on the road before the Booth Brothers - share a little bit about your musical history.
Growing up, my dad was an evangelist and the whole family traveled and sang together. Then, when Melissa and I were married we began traveling with her father (Jack Shuler) in a group called The Shulers. We sang together for almost 10 years until Melissa's father retired from the road due to health issues. It was during that time I received a call from The Booth Brothers. My first date with Ronnie & Michael was at the Gaylord Arena in Nashville with The Gaithers. No rehearsal!!
2. You started traveling with the Booth Brothers over seven years ago - how's the experience differed for you as opposed to traveling with your family?
It's really very similar but, since my father-n-law was an evangelist, most of our dates were in churches. We worked for promoters hosting concert events but our main focus was conferences & crusades. The majority of Booth Brother dates are ticketed events. The main difference has been the weekly separation from Melissa. The first 10 years we were married, we were together on the road almost every week and being away from her has been the biggest adjustment for me.
3. You've always been a celebrated songwriter, but it wasn't until just recently that you became such a popular one. To what do you attribute to that success?
I've had cuts by major artists through the years but it has been recently that more of my songs have been radio singles and over the last few years, artists like Legacy Five, The Talleys, Gold City and The Booth Brothers have been kind enough to tell personal stories from stage about how the songs were written, mentioning me as the writer. In addition, I have been extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to co-write with some of the best writers in the business.
4. How does the songwriting process work for you?
I am always in songwriting mode because I may get an idea or thought from anywhere, but the process can happen several different ways. Normally, it starts with a catchy lyric idea, musical hook or groove that I think is really working, I will then sit down and begin to develop it further.
5. What advice can you give other inspiring songwriters?
At a very young age I had a deep passion to write and, in the beginning, I had no connections for getting my songs heard. Still, I kept writing. I wrote when I was happy, I wrote when I was sad. It was the best way for me to express my heart back then and is still the way I love to express my heart today. It was almost 10 years before I got my first cut by a major group. That was very rewarding for me and after that first cut, I started getting calls for more songs. If you have a burning desire to write, then keep writing. Don't get discouraged when your songs are not recorded right away. The more time you spend writing the more you will learn new ways to better communicate, improving your craft.
6. How did the songwriting team of Barry Weeks, Tony Wood & Jim Brady come about?
Back In 2003 Melissa and I recorded a project entitled "Our Love Songs" and I was looking for a new mix engineer that could bring a fresh sound to the project. I mentioned it to my friend, Paul Lancaster, who recommended that I call Barry Weeks. I called Barry, and while mixing the CD, he heard the original songs on the project that Melissa & I had written. He then invited me to co-write with him and Tony Wood which was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and writing team.
7. Your wife, Melissa Brady, is your biggest cheerleader. How vital is she to your success?
She is absolutely the most incredible lady and wife I could ever hope for! She has unselfishly supported & encouraged me to do what I do and while she could easily have a successful music career of her own, she has chosen to support me and not add dates to her schedule that would keep us from being together. She's the love of my life and I could not do this without her.
8. Tell us about your solo record. What inspired it, and what was it like recording by yourself for the first time?
When Ronnie and Michael started working on their solo CDs, Michael mentioned to me that I needed to record one as well to complete the trio of solo CDs. It was a lot of fun because the solo thing allowed me the freedom to explore new musical ideas and spread my wings vocally by going places the group would not normally go. I love locking chords in a vocal group so much that I never thought I'd do a solo project but it was a lot of fun and I've been very happy with the response that the CD has recieved.
9. Are there any plans for another Jim Brady solo record?
Not at the moment but, you never know.
10. What has God been teaching you lately?
I'm realizing I don't have it all figured out. As soon as I feel like I've learned something, I find there's more to learn. He's teaching me that walking with Him is a continuous journey. It's an every day relationship with Him, a daily process of letting Him work in me, transforming me to be more like Him. When I take one step, He'll ask me to take another, but all the while increasing my faith. It's a work in progress and I guess that's why it's called growing in grace.
11. Any additional information you would like to share? Who were the first major artists to cut a Jim Brady song?
The Whisnants were the very first and Ivan Parker was shortly after. I can't tell you how excited I was to get that news. I think that was around 1995 and, since my heroes have always been songwriters, I thought it was the coolest thing ever!
12. Where can some of your new songs be found?
I currently have songs coming out on new recordings by The Hoppers, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Karen Peck & New River, Lauren Talley, Sisters, The Martins, Steve Ladd and of course, The Booth Brothers.
http://www.boothbrothers.com
http://www.jimandmelissabrady.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 12/01/2009
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 2
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Thanks for a great interview with a very sweet guy. Jim, I'm so glad that you won recognition this year at NQC for your voice as it is incredible.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I am the oldest son of the late evangelist Jack Shuler. As far as I know, there was NEVER another evangelist by that name. And my dad NEVER traveled in a singing group, not do I have a sister named Melissa.
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