Interview with Courtney Now

The following is an interview YIAM had with Courtney Now.

Q: When did you first start singing?

If you were to ask my parents they would say I was born singing, but I definitely started singing in the children’s choir at church when I was four and became a soloist when I was six. I think that is when I started taking my music seriously.  I can still remember the first solo I sang, it was Blue Suede Shoes" in front of a small crowd.  Once I heard that applause I new singing was for me.

Q: When was your first concert?

Though it may have not been my first concert, the time I performed in Groesbeck, Texas stands out the most.  This was the first time I traveled in a tour bus to get to a show and when I took the stage I knew there was no doubt about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I think I was eight at the time and truly realized that I had a gift that made people happy, it was a great feeling.

Q: How has singing professionally effected your life?

For me it has been a very positive experience.  I get to make people smile, there is nothing better than that.  I have taken part in food drops, helped raised money for needy families and done benefits for terminally ill children and their families.  It is hard to smile and sing when you see people in so much pain, but God always helps me through it.  I have also had the opportunity to travel the country and meet some incredible people.  Most of the time we can only see celebrities from a distance, I have been blessed to get to visit with them in person.  I try to learn from what they say.  Because of my age, I am constantly reminded of all the pitfalls in the way for a young artist.  Hearing it from someone that has had first hand experience definitely makes me a little more cautious.

Q: Has being a Christian singer effected your career?

Absolutely!  I try to always remind myself that a Christian is what I am, singing just happens to be what I do.  God gave me a special gift and called me to use it to reach out to others in a positive way.  In the long run I had rather be remembered for the lives that I changed not the words that I sang.  It is not about me, but what God can do through me.

Q: Who is your inspiration?

Karen Carpenter has inspired me more than anyone.  She had the most incredible voice I have ever heard, but it was not enough to help her over come a poor self esteem.  Her death reminds me over and over that I have to be content with how God made me.  When you are in the spot light people are always commenting on everything about you.  It is hard not to give into the demands of this world.  Having a strong church family and solid spiritual background definitely makes it easier to say NO! n>

Q: Have you done any recordings or, have any cd’s?

Yes, I recorded my first CD when I was nine.  I think we only gave it out to family and friends.  When I was eleven I recorded my first studio CD titled "From The Heart", this was a dream come true.  Christian Recording Artist "By The Tree" and members of Tim McGraw’s band laid down the tracks for me.  Not to many eleven year olds can say that, GOD IS GOOD!  Over the past few years I have taken part in several compilation CD’s that benefited some great organizations.  The "USO", "Susan G. Komen" - Race For The Cure and  Larry Jones - "Feed The Children".  I love helping people and taking part in those projects really made me feel good.  The last studio CD I did was titled "Christmas" and I recorded it in 2007.  It was a lot of fun because I love Christmas and I love snow, unfortunately we do not get much snow in Texas, so singing about it is the next best thing.  I am getting ready to release two new singles so if you check out my website at http://www.courtneynow.com you will be able to see when those are going to be released.

Q: Is it hard to be a professional singer and a school going teen?

There is no question that it has made going to public school a little difficult for me.  Keeping up with my studies and friends can be very challenging with my crazy schedule, but my parents do a good job of helping me keep my academic life, social life and professional life balanced.  Some kids treat me different, sometimes not in a good way, but for the most part I get treated like any other high school student.

Q: Where do you feel God leading you next?

My father always tells me that I am a day-to-day person.  There is a lot of truth to that.  I try not to spend much time thinking about the future.  There is nothing I can do about the future, but if I am the best I can be today, the rest will take care of itself.  Singing and acting are what I love to do.  I cannot imagine doing anything else.  But, if the day comes that GOD calls me to do something else, I will.  GOD just wants me to be obedient.  The story for me has already been written.  He knew how it would end a long time ago.