A Tenfiftyseven Media Magazine April 2023
TIA MCGRAFF P
pitching songs. “Called a manager who told me he has no time to take my demo,” shared McGraff, “but something told me to just go to his office anyway.” That was the legendary Jack McFadden’s office that Tia was heading to and through a series of “I Love Lucy” funny happenings, she landed her demo into his hands. “He was getting on a plane, gave the demo to his wife on spectacular, a masterpiece. That is the best way to describe being in the presence the way,” continued Tia, “and eight hours later he called to sign me.” That was the of Tia McGraff. day that she learned to always follow her From the moment of introduction, you are intuition, never give up or hold back and enjoy the journey. keenly aware that this is going to be a special time with an incredibly gifted artist. Let us take a moment to share with all Tia McGraff is a multi-talented, awardreading this to remember back to the part winning singer, songwriter, performer, of the story where Tia is given the author and podcast host from Southern Ontario, Canada. Along with her husband opportunity to perform with Johnny and June – there is a parallel coming to that and co-writer Tommy Parham, she has influence ahead. Along her musical been making impactful and thoughtjourney, McGraff saw herself writing and provoking art for decades. recording with talents like legendary Guess Who/Bachman Turner Overdrive The granddaughter of Transylvanian co-founder, Randy Bachman, Celine Dion immigrants, Tia grew up on the North songsmith Dan Hill, Mark Slaughter and Shore of Lake Erie, Ontario Canada on Andrew Gold. Her passion for charity the golf course built and owned by her shined brightly with a compilation called Mom and Dad, a wonderful childhood full "One Less Tear" with all proceeds going to of love and fun. Inspired by her various cancer foundations. She grandmother to sing, McGraff at age nineteen won the Canadian Open Country performed with artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Donnie & Johnny Van Zant, Singing Contest granting an opportunity Kevin Sharp, and Mark Slaughter. to perform on TV with Johnny Cash and June Carter. The path was set, Tia was Then came the release of her album, on the road to fulfill her dreams and took her strong foundation of faith along for the Jewel’s Café and a planned move to Vancouver. But first a quick trip to ride. Nashville of writing/singing with friends. Tia set up a meeting with a music One aspect of that faith foundation publisher for the coming Monday, she displayed very early on the career path arrived promptly on time forgetting it was while the songwriter was in Nashville Labor Day but was met at the door by
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icture yourself within an art gallery, walls aligned with magnificent works of art, imagine yourself embraced by the artist’s attention to details and the feeling that you are witness to something
Tommy Parham, one of their staff writers. They chatted, set up a writing appointment for the next day and it would seem she made the best out of that holiday mishap. However, it would be so much more, you see that was the day Tia McGraff met Tommy Parham – it is the beginning of an epic love story for both music and life. The authentic, traditional music that comes from the combined writing of these two passioned songwriters has been compared to that of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. They are a unit, a team, sharing their love with the world just as those beloved legends of country music. Maybe one could say that the opportunity for that nineteen year old Tia was about much more than music, it looks to have been a glimpse into the life and love that was to come. That planned move to Vancouver was replaced with an actual move to Nashville and marrying the love of her life. What follows is a decade of writing, performing, touring, and recording. At the encouragement of her manager-dad, Tia created her own record label that proved successful when she and Tommy released their first album together “Outside the Circle” on her independent label. Eight studio albums later that is certified gold advice from the beloved father of the multi-talented McGraff. The blessings were flowing, all was going great, Tia was not saying no to anything and reflected on silently exhausting being experienced at that time, then came Covid! Just as the pandemic stopped everything in the world, it is the time of this article we will also pause and heed to Tia McGraff’s writing to Lisa Hentrich’s God and My Girlfriends Blog:
In the Bible, God tells us that children are a gift and a blessing (Psalm 127:3) and have an innocent kind of faith (Matthew 18:3). I remember my dad driving as fast as he could to the hospital, my mom crying, and my tender five-year-old heart aching. Not for myself, not because blood was running down my face. My heart ached because of the pain my parents were feeling…and also for Duke. I recall saying, "Mommy, it's going to be ok." And pleading, "Daddy, please don't hurt Duke. It wasn't his fault. It was mine. I should have petted him too." My adult self finds this bravery at such an early age hard to comprehend, but I believe Jesus taught me, as a little child, the gift of mercy that day. A gift that isn't earned, but instead received. I understood what the dog had done and why he did it, and I was responding with mercy. It is something so essential to our spiritual lives that His Word mentions it 26 times in Psalm 136: "For His mercy endureth forever." I knew in my heart that all Duke wanted was to be shown love, so I instinctively wanted my parents to show him mercy. My plea worked; my dad decided to give our dog a second chance. Days later, when the doctor removed my bandage, the stitches had left an ugly scar down the left side of my face. For my parents, seeing it must have been a painful reminder of that terrifying incident. But for me, it became my badge of courage—a cool story to tell kids at school. I had been in the middle of a dog fight and lived to tell! However, as I grew into a teenager it was a different story. My scar became a painful source of that feeling, that word, that so many teenagers are susceptible to. Rejection. I didn't feel as pretty as my girlfriends. Ashamed, I tried hiding behind it. Makeup helped, but at nineteen when I found my passion for singing and songwriting entering the Canadian music industry, makeup wasn't enough. Hearing photographers and label executives suggest I should get plastic surgery caused me to seriously consider giving up on my dream. But God had a different plan for me. He moved me, scars, and all, to Nashville. Then, one Sunday morning in church service, I heard these words from John 20:27: "Put your finger here, see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve but believe." That's when it hit me What if God had chosen to erase His scars during Christ's resurrection? Would "doubting Thomas" have still believed? It was the primary way Jesus confirmed to His disciples that it was indeed him, in the same body, now risen and transformed; reminders of the beautiful mercy and love our Father has for us. The scars told a story. Perhaps mine could, too. Through this one transforming encounter with His Word, God had shown me so much mercy. Now, I wanted to display my scar boldly .My lyrical writing deepened, my relationships grew, and I started liking myself more. It wasn't long after this when my husband, Tommy, and I decided to adopt a dog from the Cheatham County Animal Hospital. There we met a special Husky/Australian Shepherd that had been abused, abandoned and was one day away from being put down. He had his scars too, and I fell in love with him immediately. We named him Jake. There are times when a story is best told by the one who it is about, especially when they are an accomplished author. We wanted you to hear about this amazing experience from Tia as it gives insight into the best part of her journey that we wanted to share with you.
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Up to the moment of the pandemic lock down, Tia, Tommy and Jake were tirelessly touring – Jake, “The Road Dawg” became a star in his own right as he sat onstage many times. The trio would spend 14 years traveling, Jake’s connection with the fans inspired Tia to write a children's book about him. That is how “Jake, The Road Dawg” came to be. The book is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning publication that shares about hope and courage with kids of all ages (us adults too) across the USA, Canada, and UK. An impact that continues past the loss of Jake a few years ago, a timeless legacy. As we experienced at the close of the pandemic, we will end the article pause and bring you back to Tia and Tommy at their home in Canada during the Covid lock down. There was plenty of creativity that flowed in that time, however, it also included anger, grief, and soul searching. Openly, with a raw authenticity, Tia shares about the sudden stop of her music path caused by a pandemic, the overwhelming grief experienced by the debilitating disease diagnosis and death of beloved Jake and the power of really digging deep into your soul in search of yourself. The simple way to share this time would be to say that Tia McGraff hit the reset button on life. What happens as she rises from the reset is a decision that most would not be brave enough to make, she made a RISEN DECISION. Not only would she rise from the pandemic, the losses, and the struggles - she would also rise to the calling God placed on her life. Today, there is intentional prayer for participation in anything that comes their way, and without the presence of peace it is a no thank you. The courage to seek God in all things has opened up not only opportunities but also a freshening to the music, an inspiration that truly exceeds earthy understanding. Tia released “With Love” post pandemic containing seven songs carefully written, selected, and produced to send the message of hope and peace to a world of uncertainty. Released on September 3rd to commemorate the anniversary of Jake’s passing, the album hosts the single, “Go Your Own Way,” which reached the Christian Music Weekly Top 25. “I’m also writing my second “Jake The Road Dawg” book and excited about the endless opportunities to inspire amazing children from around the world with my Songs’n’Tails book reading and song performance events,” shared Tia McGraff.” In fact the talented couple just did a virtual event with 30 beautiful children from her grandmother’s village in Transylvania. Additionally, Tia and Tommy have started a podcast show, “Jake’s Place: Song’n’Tails” sharing music, stories and interviews with other artists and authors. In my mind, the walk to the exit of this imagined art gallery was full of expectation. It is an indescribable moment when honored to visit with an artist of this caliber whose heart is full of God’s love. A fullness that just illuminates from Tia McGraff. This is not just a talented artist, this is woman of strength, passion, determination, intelligence, and courage who is open to all positive opportunities…that is after prayerful consideration. Above all she is a woman who chose to rise to a decision to be of divine intention. To learn more about Tia McGraff visit her online at TiaMcGraff.com
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BOOK NOW!
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RISE UP PLAYLIST All Hail King Jesus Forever
Living Water Anne Wilson
Meanwhile Back At The Cross Tommy Brandt
His Name Is Jesus Cody Johnson
Ain’t No Grave
Prestonwood Worship
Rise Up CAIN
Unashamed To Say His Name Mike Leichner
Raise A Hallelujah
Bethel Music, Jonathan David
I Surrender
Hillsong Worship
Cornerstone
TobyMac Ft. Zach Williams
I’m On Fire
We Are Messenger
Only Jesus
Casting Crowns
Beautiful Hulvey
Waymaker
Michael W. Smith
God, Turn It Around Jon Reddrick
Loin
Elevation Worship Ft Chris Brown & Brandon Lake
Confidence
Sanctus Real
Keep My Eyes Up
Housefire Ft. Ryan Ellis
God We Need You Now (Acoustic) Struggle Jennings & Caitlynne Curtis
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#ITSGONNABEWORTHIT By Rainee Herod In ministry there are a lot of ups and downs, a lot of highs and lows, feeling completely fulfilled to wondering what the heck are we doing, we’re so unqualified and not so worthy of this great calling. In ministry you have an endless plethora of friends from all over but can really only vent and spill guts to the Lord or your spouse for fear of stumbling someones else’s faith walk with your occasional doubt and endless fears or allowing them to see that you are actually not bullet proof and quite human and truly don’t hold all the answers. We’re walking this out with the Lord just like everyone else but we are most times expected to be near perfect…at all times. In ministry you sometimes wear a mask or uphold that image of “ I’ve Got this,” “Happy, Happy, Happy,” “ Strong, Strong, Strong,” when you have the same exact life experiences, heartaches, health issues, financial issues, and your just plain ole worn out as everyone else. But you just can’t show it So remember to PRAY for your Pastors, Traveling Evangelists, Traveling Christian Musicians or Speakers as they answer this great call to win lost souls to the Kingdom and help heal the Hurting…One Day At A Time…with His Mighty Hand on the Helm. . 29
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