EAVESDROPPING: A CONVERSATION WITH MARGARET BECKER

Margaret Becker is a singer-songwriter, speaker and author with two decades of experience in the Christian music industry, four Dove awards, four Grammy nominations, and 10 albums (and counting). She has been honored by American Songwriter Magazine with their "Songwriter of the Year" award, and by SESAC seven times with the same honor. She is also an in-demand speaker, the author of three books and a monthly columnist for CCM Magazine. In 2003 she received the most meaningful honor of her career: the first ever Lumie're du Monde award from the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe for her part in saving the lives of 500,000+ children living in poverty as World Vision's very first artist partner. Here's our unedited e-mail conversation:

So my manager Glenda brought you into my world about four years ago. We sat down, do you remember, at a grill downtown and talked about the two of you managing me. I said, "Heck yes," pretty quickly, so you helped form the big picture of my career early on, gave me pointers on live performing and gave me the occasional pat on the back that helped keep me going. So first of all, thanks for all of that.

Glenda's never told me, how'd you guys get hooked up? Did she manage you or what?

I met Glenda on and off over the years through Proper Management (Avalon, Nicole Nordeman etc . . . ) When ever she was at an event with her artists, she always got them what they needed. After a while, I learned to just to tag along behind her . . .

I approached her about managing me. She's dynamic, proactive and strong. She thought about it and then, we moved forward. After that, we went into business together in a few different areas, and that's when we ran into you.

And now I guess you manage yourself. Is that because you're doing less music stuff these days and don't need a music business manager or am I wrong about that? I know you've written some great books (plug) and you're an amazing speaker - thanks again for speaking at IKON, that was great - so I guess I've just assumed you've moved beyond music as your career focus these days. Is that accurate?

:-) Let's just say that Glenda's talents would be wasted on me at this point. My "Career" or "calling" is about being "available" right now. That takes me across many lines and in and out of different situations than I have been in in the past.

I still do music, but when it makes sense around other stuff. Before -- as you know -- from first hand experience, there was little time for any other interests. That was ok for a time, but eventually I felt like God gave me a choice --continue as is or take the "wild card," and become more spontaneous and intuitive in my life. I took the wild card. It means being more behind the scenes supporting others, as well as speaking and singing, writing etc. It's just enough "change" to keep things interesting. It's been an awesome time of life for me, as was the full time music thing. It all boils down to being in God's sight -- there is provision when He calls -- no matter what the calling is.

It's weird how many of us artist types go through times of similar emotions/thought patterns. I mean, so many artists I know have had this feeling that they've sold the rights to their own life in some sense, lost the freedom to change direction or priorities because of a contract..or maybe because they grew up and got a mortgage. Do you think your desire for more freedom to follow God each moment had more to do with your having been a contracted artist at one time or with simply growing up...or equal measures of both? Is that restlessness I sometimes feel a product of being artists or just being American, bored, adults, human, Gen-Xers or something else?

Wow, great question. I think for me it was more about feeling like it was "the cloud" moving, (the cloud by day fire by night thing ). I love constancy, so the only way God gets me to move is by making it very obvious. Unfortunately, for me that means making it very uncomfortable.

I began to sense a level of "discomfort" in my life. Among other things, I felt like I had bumped into walls on all sides being a full-time recording artist. That, coupled with the fact that I had other things I wanted to try before I left this earth --and the feeling that I needed to use my resources (relationships, business structures, energy -- even placement) more responsibly (in a community/global way).

Growing up --probably. Feeling the pressure of floating a spreadsheet within a big record company --probably that too. Bored -- never. Privileged --absolutely. One of my life verses is "To whom much is given, much will be required." That will keep you on the healthy side of "Fear."

The Gen-X mentality is a plus in these things as well. That mentality forgoes linear approach in things in favor of a more spontaneous, internally driven path. In the case of leaving one sure thing for all things unknown, that kind of mind-set is an asset. And all these things under the umbrella of Christ are a true adventure -- with life giving results --not only for those who are doing it, but for those around them too.

I think one of the greatest lessons you've taught me with words and modeling is how to achieve contentment - recognizing that God is meeting my needs right now even if it's not in the form I expected or prefer. It's hard for me to be content with you right now, honestly. (Check out this transition. Barbara Walters eat your heart out.) I'm a fan of Margaret Becker the musician but that seems to be something you're offering us less of these days. I've only recently become acquainted with Margaret the speaker and author and I love those parts of you but your music was what I loved first. You're meeting my need for something creative from you and my need to hear the truth in new ways, but at the same time it's not in the ways many of us have come to expect from you either. You're the first ever Christian rock chick! And I guess I'm drawn to that part of your communication "toolbox" the most because it makes me think and inspires in ways books just don't. Even if they're great books.

So what kinds of musical endeavors do you have going on right now? And is music still something that scratches an itch you can't get scratched any other way? Is it something you still feel you HAVE to do - even if it's not for a living?

Man Shaun. I feel like a slug right now :-) Let me go get my guitar and start slugging one out!

Yes, it's still an itch. I must. It is something indigenous to my soul expression. I guess I've been trying not to be so presumptuous as to think that my commentary delivered in that way is sorely missed. But I miss making that type of commentary and as time would have it, I am writing a new body of songs for a fresh record right now -- just a straight ahead MB record. In addition, I've been co-writing with a lot of other artists as well. I enjoy the collision of 2 minds on creative things.

What you said is encouraging to me. I don't take it lightly. I'll get to work! :-)

I guess I was just that person who after my show comes up to me and asks, "When are you going to write another Welcome Home?" Hope I don't make you feel pigeon holed. You write, sing and speak very well. Keep doing all of it. But yes, your commentary on God and life in musical form is valuable to me...and I'm sure many others.

The best way to thank you for your time is to not use all of it, so just a couple more questions alright?

A passion you and I share is mentoring, or helping in some way, the indie artist. Many indies struggle with whether to sign a traditional record deal and whether, if they're Christians, to sign with a "Christian" label? I'm wondering if your own experience can help answer those questions for them. Why did you sign a record deal years ago and why one that would limit your audience to primarily Christians?

Years ago, when I signed, there was no appetite for Christian commentary inthe general marketplace. There simply was not a lot of opportunity for -- singer/guitar songwriters, (remember, it was the fade out of the 80's where hair needed a building permit and everything had to be big and better)

I knew that my music would always be colored by my relationship to Christ. That coloring wouldn't allow me to do or say -- or endorse -- certain aspects of what pop music at the time was focusing on. Sparrow was a company who made an industry based on Christ commentary, so it was a fit for me. In fact, they were the company I wanted to be at once I understood that
record companies in those days had distinct "personalities." Theirs was definitively ministry oriented.

The field is different now. The general marketplace is quite open to faith-colored content -- and in fact, I believe there is a unique hunger for it.

When Indies ask me this question, I respond the same way I would respond to someone who is trying to choose a vocation or ministry organization to align with -- Let God lead.

Simply this: open doors, chase down opportunities, use the lovely senses He gave you to navigate. Fast and pray. Be open to long silences, and lack of direct communication from Him -- rather, follow the "cloud" in your life. When you feel His pleasure on you, it is generally a confirmation. Be faithful to whatever he brings -- not with the intent of "moving on to bigger and better things," but with the intent of serving Him and His kingdom in whatever role He assigns you.

I believe that whether or not anyone "signs," (which by the way means losing autonomy in many ways -- not that it's bad, but it can be tricky) is of no consequence when it comes to expressing art as a believer. The key to success is to understand what you were designed to do, and to do it for 10 people, 6 non-english speaking people, at a barbeque -- if that is the opportunity God provides.

"Feed my sheep." It was a loving command He gave. It's what we are called to do, corporately and individually.

Thanks Margaret.




MARGARET BECKER RELATED LINKS:
*MAGGIEB.COM
*WORLD VISION
*HOPE INITIATIVE
*CCM MAGAZINE
*MARGARET'S BOOKS
*BOOK MARGARET TO SPEAK OR SING


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