Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Swindell Jr.
Gary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a local gospel artist in Savannah Ga. both of my parents had a theater background, so I grew up traveling and touring on stages around the Southeast. My father was also the minister of music at the church I grew up in. So simultaneously I heard gospel and musical theater at the same time which began to develop a unique style in me. Around high school, I wanted to do sports, but one day I arrived home and my father had the band director from a prestigious Arts High school sitting in the living room, and he told me sports are out, music is in, and I’ll be going to Savannah Arts Academy for the next four years. In that high school, I was allowed to stretch my talents, by playing the saxophone and becoming the first jazz singer the school ever had.
The Jazz band toured all over America, culminating in a two week tour in Asia. From there I went on to start performing and speaking in churches all over the U.S., to where I’ve served my church Branded Hearts (pastor Kenneth Rouche) as a worship pastor and youth pastor. through this evolution, I found a niche as a ministry consultant. So now different churches and organizations contact me to help them develop their worship teams or their youth departments. I find myself evolving yet again, getting ready to record and release my first live recording in January, as well as releasing my first devotional on praise.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I honestly don’t think anyone’s road is smooth. Earlier in my development as an artist, I wasn’t sure about my sound. I began to try to sound like what was already in the industry and it didn’t translate well. However, with such a different sound it was hard to get people to understand me. My hometown has a very unique sound in music across all genres, it’s very gritty and passionate. That mixed with my jazz, musical theater, and gospel background creates something very different for listeners. So the development and trusting of that sound have been a great journey. Also the balance of Pastoral life, and life as an artist. I believe that ministry goes outside the four walls of the church, so I try to do as much community work as possible, which cuts down on travel and things. Lastly, the life of an independent artist is tough, you don’t have the backing of a major record label, but you still have to produce the product as if you did.
Tell us more about your business.
I’m an independent gospel artist and a ministry consultant. As a gospel artist, I’m known for fun, energetic, and passionate shows, with strong lyrics. As a ministry consultant, I help churches develop their youth ministry or their music ministry. What sets my consultation apart is most consultants focus on training the team in one area. I focus on how teams can enhance their church and their community. I hope to cancel the divide in churches. Most churches don’t speak of this, but it’s the youth ministry vs. the church, and children don’t transition well into adult services because there is a disconnect between youth ministry and the local church. So once they graduate many of them don’t continue going to church because they were used to games, and pizza as their church experience and that’s not traditionally done in regular services. So my consultation trains but also unites, and helps different departments within churches grab the vision of the pastor and church at large.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck plays no part in it at all. Everything is God. When most people say that, they think we’re saying just sit back and watch God do everything. Well biblically God gives us vision and strategy. So I believe the strategies and plans that I’ve implemented are given through him. So no one is just sitting back, the business is growing through business plans, and strategic movements and connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.garyswindelljr.com
- Email: gswindellinfo@gmail.com
- Instagram: gary_swindell
- Facebook: Gswindelljr
- Twitter: garyswindelljr
Image Credit:
David Mahone
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
