Kirk Talley, Feature Article - SoGospelNews.com

Apr

2008

Kirk Talley

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Recently Chuck Peters of Southern Gospel Reporter Interviewed Kirk Talley concerning his new single that just shipped to radio. With his permission we are re-printing his interview.

NEW KIRK TALLEY SINGLE SHIPS TO RADIO
HIS FIRST IN FIVE YEARS

In a promotional press release,.. Angie Hoskins announces that her company, Angie Hoskins Promotions, has teamed with Kirk Talley to release the singer's new single to radio.. titled: "Faithful". Hoskins told reporters: "We are pleased to add Kirk to our roster of fine artists. I have been a fan for years!"

SGReporter spoke with Talley this week about his new release. Even though this is the first "official" radio single in five years,.. he has tested the waters. Kirk said: "I wasn't sure who would play my music again and who wouldn't. So last year we sent a letter out to stations merely saying if they would like to receive the new Live project, simply let us know and I would send one to them. Some did, some didn't." Talley says, at one point, in the Houston market, "Potters Hands" (from the "Live At The River project" ) was the number one requested song. Kirk adds: "Of course, it never made a national chart, I didn't expect it to. But it let some people know that I was still involved in music."

Talley returned to touring and recording, a few years ago, following his deliverance from a thirty year struggle with homosexuality. Although many have welcomed Kirk Talley's return to ministry.. some in the Southern Gospel industry have shunned the Dove and Grammy winner. He says: "I stayed low key, did a few dates along.. worked when I could and tried to brush off the comments that were negative. I just tried to keep my head up." Kirk was even turned away when he wanted to advertise his new CD. "I tried to buy full page ads for my new CD, 'Beyond Words' from two major publications and I was told they wouldn't sell me advertisment. But it's ok, those publications aren't my source." SGReporter asked.. What do you say to those who don't want to be associated with Kirk Talley? Kirk:"Oh well.. God has provided. I have lost some good friends.. but God has sent some new ones along who have become valuable to my ministry."

Kirk says he would like to be played on the radio again.. but is quick to add: "I have come to see that being 'hot' on the radio, doesn't make or break a ministry. Certainly it's an advantage for people to be familiar with your music, and to hear it,.. but God has a direction for all of us. I do what I do. Hopefully someone will hear it and be blessed by what I say and sing."

The new single, written by Joel Lindsey and Caleb Collins, is described in the PR as a "heartfelt praise and worship ballad." Kirk told our reporter that his producer brought the tune to his attention. "Wayne Haun played me the song. I loved it immediately. God's certainly been faithful in my life,.. so how could I not want to sing that song. In the recording of it, it lent itself to a soulful duet.. so I called Lauren(Talley), who can definitely sing with soul."

SGReporter: In our first report we made reference to your "deliverance from homosexuality". In hindsight.. we realize that those are words someone else used.. not you. Can you explain further.

Kirk Talley: There is a difference between same sex attraction and homosexuality. I never lived a homosexual lifestyle. I admitted five years ago to same sex attraction. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people who wrestle with same sex attraction in churches today. I know pastors, singers, musicians, deacons and Sunday school teachers who wrestle with it. Perhaps some have let that attraction become a lifestyle, I don't know. But I do know that "deliverance" from it is a difficult thing. I know and have heard from thousands who are seeing and know that any degree of deliverance takes a long long long long long time. Sometimes an entire lifetime. I wish that I could stand on stage and say that God instantly delivered me from same sex attraction, but I couldn't honestly do that. And I won't say that I have, until that happens. Four years ago, I "claimed" a healing, as in the context of "believing for it to happen" but as of this date, I still wrestle with it. I certainly know that God can do miracles,.. I have seen many. But I also know that 99% of the people I have heard from who have been "counseled" or been a part of a program that is designed to "de-program someones thinking process", has yet to see the total deliverance.

SGReporter: We have read and heard about your deep depression four years ago. Your own public testimony talks about a time when you even wanted to die. We've heard you say that you were "out of hope." What pulled you through?

KT: God began to show me his grace. He actually spoon fed me that Grace. He knew the condition I was in,.. He knew just what I could take at that particular time. In a conference room in Kingsport Tennessee, laying on the floor, while six pastors was praying around me.. God showed me in a vision, no joke. A real vision that the road before me would be a hard one. I would have to climb and dig just to exist. But he showed me that he would be with me. In the vision that morning I met Jesus face to face.. He wrapped his arms around me and told me he loved me over and over, and assured me over and over that he would be with me. I got up out of the floor a changed man, in that the depression that I had been under was lifted from me. The problem that got me to that point was still there, but I knew there was hope of existence after that moment.

SGReporter: So.. for you.. "deliverance" is an ongoing work.. a continuing process?

KT: When I am asked to give my testimony, I always say that "deliverance" from my issue is a long long long journey, and that every day I have to depend upon the Grace of God to get me thru. Every day, every hour, sometimes every five minutes. And God has been faithful. I know that this is pretty heavy dialog compared to what you usually read or here from a Gospel Singer. But I know God has not allowed the past 5 years to happen for no apparent reason. I know I have a message. I know more now about the Grace of God than I ever have. And it's my goal to extend Grace to others as I have been blessed.

SGReporter: Kirk.. it's been a long five years for you,.. and I'm sure there will always be another reporter with more questions. But if this were your final interview on the matter.. how would you sum up this part of your life?

KT: I have been honest about my struggles. I haven't sugar coated it and just called it a "mistake". I hope I can extend some care to someone who is struggling with any complex issue in their life. Just last night I spoke with a pastor who had me come to his church. After my concert there, he was able to minister to three people in his congregation who had secretly been struggling with the same issue. They would have never opened up to him, had they not heard my testimony and realized that someone else, even someone well known, someone in the spotlight had personal struggles themselves.

SGReporter: It seems that your new single release.. Faithful.. just might be the perfect song.. at just the right time. Not only for you.. but for all of us.

KT: God's been Faithful.. I'll sing it wherever I get the chance. I'll tell it to the ones who won't share the stage with me at this point. I'll still say God is faithful wherever I can. In the midst of great struggle, God is Good, and he is Faithful.

visit: http://www.kirk-talley.com

Reader Comments

Kirk is living a challenge in his life that many of us might not have survived. I have been a faithful friend to kirk since the beginning ,and have been praying for him. How can you call yourself Christian and not love God's child. I could never understand how a man could call himself( man of God) and neglect his largest responsibility, the human soul. I believe that they are going to have a shock when they cross over and see God's face???? I love you Kirk and please continue your Ministry. Many of us will always stand my you.