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A Tenfiftyseven Media Magazine October 2022
SHANE ROARK The Gospel Truth LISA DAGGS No Turning Back Christian Country TOP 40
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FATHER
OF OUTLAW Entering the room, a voice bellows out “Well, Hello There.” It is the hardy welcome of the one and only Cody McCarver, who spent over a decade with country music super-group, Confederate Railroad, followed by the successful solo career that continues to date. This could be your first-time meeting, or you could be a lifelong friend, there is no way to tell the difference as he will make you feel as if he has been waiting just for this moment in time to meet, chat, share or work with you. He is very happy in his hometown of Dunlap, Tennessee, the place where he was raised. It is a small-town rich in history and like most small towns, it was and remains centered around church. Cody became the church pianist at the tender age of nine years old. “I loved Southern Gospel Music, like Teddy Huffman and the Gems,” said Cody, “my dad would take me to big Southern Gospel events, they were superstars to me.” Listening to the radio in a 1970 Ford Pinto is one of the earlier musical memories for Cody, it was the sounds of Lynard Skynard, the Marshall Tucker band and Kiss that caught his attention. “Son, you need to listen
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GOSPEL
to Country Music,” are the words Cody would hear from his dad. The rebel streak was strong and unwavering until his dad brought home Waylon Jennings “The Outlaws” album. In secret, to keep the rebel streak alive, Cody would listen to it over and over every time his father wasn’t around. “I went through many phases in music, but always would go back to that album,” explained McCarver. It was the inspiration that set the foundation for the music that still moves him most. Off and away from his hometown, Cody was playing in bars, enjoying the music, the accolades, the fame of being a part of mainstream country music success. For his dad, music was not what he wished for his only son, in the success, he became the biggest fan. On August 14, 1996, the day started as just the birthday of Cody McCarver but ended altering many lives. That day, Cody received a call from the local jail, there he found his father in a call charged with murder. “My mom was having an affair and that day my dad ended that affair,” said Cody, “on his birthday in 1998, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in 2051.” This part of his life, this story has greatly inspired his songs…especially the song that garnered Cody the Music Row Independent Artist of the Year... “Through Gods Eyes." Excerpt of
His dad would spend 15 years in jail, while Cody prayed continuously for God to get him out of that prison. His heart was determined, his hope was wrapped in it and in 2013 at the news of his father passing away in the prison…Cody was crushed and furious with God. The following morning, while he sat on the side of his bed, McCarver heard the voice of his Lord saying, “I got your dad out of prison.” Retrieving his father’s belongings from the prison led to the discovery of a Bible and how important church on the inside of those prison walls had been to his dad. After speaking with the prison Chaplin, the truth that his father was with the Lord and that Cody’s prayers had not gone unanswered were made known to his heart and mind. The saddest thing about this life story is the debacle brought upon the McCarver family by the church of which they loved and were devoted. The pastor and another man came to the family home to disfellowship them all based on the disapproval of Cody’s mother wearing makeup and jewelry. It was all he knew growing up, “I was born on a Monday, taken to church on Sunday…same church my whole life,” shared McCarver, “So, a man, not God came to our home to say we would never see heaven and our family fell apart.” This event led the family down a path of prescription drugs, alcoholism, prison, and incredible heartache. It could have been the end story for them all, but it wasn’t as God was present with them and waiting. Cody shares that it took 20 years to realize that a man did all that, not God. That his faith was in man, not his Lord. The same man who refused to attend church, disliked church people is now in love with church and all God’s people. His mother is doing great, and Cody has been sober since 2013. At his lowest point, with no church to go to, Cody went back to the only Church he had ever know. That man who kicked his family out was the Pastor, this time it was a welcome and invitation to sing. Cody thinks the Lord has quite a sense of humor, happily he attends that church today.
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Artist Spotlight Can I get an “Amen” for the Barstool Preacher? He is rocking the Christian World with his music and landed #1 on the September Power Source Top 40! The lyrics of the song “Amen” are somewhat autobiographical to the real story behind the artist Jacob Bryant. At the young age of 8 years old, Jacob Bryant picked up the guitar with the simple desire to be good enough to play with his grandparent’s Bluegrass band. He would sneak his grandpa’s guitar out and teach himself to play the chords. Growing up in Georgia, he continued his love and passion for music which led to playing guitar, drums, and singing in church. He was destined for stardom, everyone said so, especially his mom. There was one problem, Jacob was incredibly shy, so he skirted around the accolades and praise of all as he could not imagine a life in the spotlight. So how did that shy boy get “Amen” on the Power Source Top 40? Back in 2010, his precious mom passed away and her voice in his heart was purposed, so instead of why me, he said why not me. The familiar story of heading off to Nashville and being led astray comes into the story at this point, but it didn’t last as the called artist inside battled to His purposed place of destiny. In February of this year, Jacob Bryant walked into the “Mother Church of Country Music” for his debut on the Grand Ole Opry Stage. “It was overwhelming, in a good way,” said Bryant, “like everything could end right now and I would be smiling forever.” He made quite an impression, receiving two standing ovations for his performance. Country Artist and Jacob’s good friend, Mark Wills was on hand to introduce him making the moment extra special. For him, “Amen” is a song he should of and could have written as the words express his story and his triumphs in life. He is an artist that is a Christian, not to be confused with a Christian Artist, a difference that is very important to Jacob as he wants to always remain genuine, raw, and relatable to all. The priority is to know that this golf loving, grill master, family man loves to share his music and the message that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. Jacob Bryant is the proud father of daughter Naomi, son Weston and shares life with his beautiful wife, Brittany. He is a busy man being a good steward of the blessings of life. Check out the #1 song “Amen” and all his music from the Barstool Preacher Album, you are going to be moved by each song. Make sure to follow Jacob Bryant on social media for his upcoming tour dates and music. His soon to be released single, “Outlaw Jesus” is music not to be missed!
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NO TURNING BACK Regardless
International Recording Artist LISA DAGGS is a pioneer of Christian Country Music with longevity in music and recovery. With over 30 years of wowing fans with her voice and winning them with her wit, smile and genuine warmth…she is not slowing down. The multi award-winning Christian Country singer, songwriter, speaker, radio host, producer, and author shares her story to inspire everyone she meets. Honored with numerous awards including The Gospel Voice Diamond Award for Country Artist of the Year, ICMA New Artist of the Year, Living Legend, two-time ICMA Entertainer of the Year and as “the brightest newcomer to the scene” by the Christian Country Research Bulletin. With twenty-seven #1 singles, Lisa is singing and telling her story of redemption and recovery around the world. Daggs launched her career by moving to Nashville where she worked as a studio vocalist and sang in numerous songwriter showcases.. After performing in mainstream venues, she began touring and traveled extensively with Bill & Gloria Gaither. Today, she is still going strong singing, songwriting, producing and speaking redemption. Lisa shares life’s journey with husband, Ronnie Horton and beautiful daughter, Faith. .
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By her mid-twenties, Lisa Daggs had done it all. From a budding Nashville singing sensation to the highs of cocaine, the aspiring country singer had tasted the world’s fruit. But one year later, she sat hopelessly in a jail cell as the women around her picked scabs and spat on the floor. Rather than surrendering in defeat, Lisa made a decision: she would follow God regardless of her circumstances. In No Turning Back, Regardless, awardwinning Christian country singer Lisa Daggs shares her story of addiction, conviction, and the triumph of learning to trust the God who loved her from a jail cell, through two miscarriages and a divorce, and into a triumphant mother, musician, and minister of grace. With honesty, clarity, and a healthy dose of sass, Lisa’s story will help you understand your own journey, encourage you to trust the God who held her as her life crumbled, and enable you to stand with servants like Ruth and Job, who remained committed to God when they could not yet see His faithfulness. You will learn to serve Regardless.
It is real and it is raw, it is inspirational and it is thought provoking! It is NOT just for those who have struggled or struggle with substance abuse, it is for us all, especially us women! Life can be quite an adventure, it can be like a very long, winding rollercoaster that takes your breath and makes you wonder about the next hill or curve. Lisa encourages you in the pages of No Turning Back, Regardless to have the faith to throw your hands in the air on the coaster, trust and believe knowing that you are not alone and never forsaken. Life is much like that roller coaster at the amusement park, during the ride you cannot always see what is ahead. What you do have is faith in your ride! Lisa brings your faith in the ride into focus! Take the time to read the book, make notes, read it again and again - let's make the most of this ride regardless!
wens
Cece O
POWERSOURCE MAGAZINE EDITOR IN CHIEF
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