AWOE MAGAZINE - BREE NOBLE INTERVIEW

AWOE MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BREE NOBLE

Jen G: Your new album Healing Waters is very open and honest! It’s an album you could give to a friend to encourage them to remind them God is there rock. So what inspired this album?

Bree Noble: The album’s major themes all relate in some way to the title track. That was a song I wrote while in a very dark place. I was lying in a hospital bed for 13 days wondering if I would ever regain my strength and get my “normal” life back. I started to feel that I had reached a turning point in my life where I could either “hope for the best”, or have real faith that God would heal me. I wanted God to show me the purpose or call He has for me. During that time he gave me the lyrics and music for that song. Then He did heal me and over the next year he brought people into my life and circumstances that showed me was He was calling me to do-to not just make music, but to make a ministry of speaking and singing to audiences that needed to hear the message. Most of the songs on the album involve trusting God in times of trial or uncertainty and getting out of one’s comfort zone to follow God’s call.

Jen G: My favorite song is You Are My Vision, can you tell me how that song came together?

Bree Noble: I’d like to say I wrote this song, but I didn’t. But I was lucky enough to come across the writers at the right time and it has become an integral part of my ministry-my speaking presentation is named after the song. Music was written by my producer Allan Licht and lyrics were written by a veteran lyric writer from New York, Dianne Baumgartner. I originally demoed the song for Allan in the studio as a duet which eventually led to our working relationship and his offer to produce my album. Dianne had written the lyrics from the perspective of an individual going blind, talking to God about how He had given her vision as she lost her physical sight. She and I had a lot in common, although my sight has remained legally blind since birth, at age 17 I lost all sight in my right eye. I really identified with the lyrics and it was a must that I record the song for the album.

Jen G: Which song on Healing Waters is your personal favorite and why?

Bree Noble: My personal favorite has to be “Why Can’t I Go Home” which was based on a poem written by my aunt Carol Park about my Grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. It is so touching to listen to and even more powerful to perform on stage. At ever performance (almost without fail) even in the smallest coffee shop I get someone coming up to me telling me how the lyrics touched them because they have dealt with the disease with a family member. I was able to sing the song at my Grandmother’s funeral in October which was a sad and joyful event. She had finally gone home.

Jen G: You mentioned Jenny Owens as one of your inspirations, what is your favorite album by her?

Bree Noble: It’s really a toss up for me between Ginny’s first two albums “Without Condition” and “Something More”. I love the simplicity of songs like “All I Wanna Do”, the groove of songs like “Free” and “Springs Of Life” and the depth of “True Story”.

Jen G: How can people purchase your album and book you to minister in song in their venue?

Bree Noble: You can do everything on my website: http://www.breenoble.com . The older CDs are on CD Baby and iTunes and the newest CD “Healing Waters” is available through www.indieheaven.com but all of these are linked from my website. There is a booking contact area as well as a mailing list which I use to send out monthly updates on performances, radio interviews, press, etc.

Jen G: Outside of your music, one of the beautiful things about you is the way you have embraced life looking beyond your blindness. Can you tell me how you not only grew up to be an inspiration to others, but why it’s so important for you to reach out to people with the same challenges?

Bree Noble: My family played a big role in this. They never categorized me as “disabled” or “different”. I think they just though of it as a challenge to overcome. I was given all the visual aids and special training they could find to help me live alongside fully sighted people. I went to public school, participated in sports and was luckily already academically motivated. I also managed to never take myself too seriously which allowed others to be more at ease with my visual difficulty. I found my niche in music and that along with academics allowed me to break out of any misconceptions about what people with visual impairments could accomplish. I have always been motivated to inspire others with similar obstacles, but only in the last year has God prompted me to go out and speak about it. I have spoken to many moms groups and been able to encourage moms that with God’s guidance they can have a major impact on how their children navigate the obstacles life puts in front of them. I want to do everything I can to help all people with visual or other impairments to reach their full potential.

Jen G: What has been one your biggest internal struggles?

Bree Noble: Knowing when to help people who are in trouble and when to use tough love to force them to help themselves. I want to help others as God commands us, but I don’t want to be an enabler of bad behavior and keep someone from seeking God for help.

Jen G: When did you start singing?

Bree Noble: I’ve been singing since age 3 and piano lesson at age 6, but performed a solo in my first musical at church at age 8-you know, Psalty Praise. In 7th grade I played the “Teen Angel” in Greece and performed “Beautiful School Dropout”. I really got heavily into singing in high school when I was in 4 performing ensembles including a women’s barbershop quartet.

Jen G: How does it feel to stand there knowing so many people are staring at you?

Bree Noble: I really don’t think about it while on stage. I love being in front of people and communicating with them on stage. Jen G: What would you say makes you strong from the inside out?

Bree Noble: Knowing that God always listens to my prayers and knowing that my family-my Christian family-is always there to support me.

Jen G: What keeps you motivated to worship the Lord?

Bree Noble: The beauty of God’s creation around us always motivates me to worship-the amazing aspects of nature that greet us each morning when we wake up. Music and poetry are other ways that bring me closer to God in a different way than reading the Word which of course is always important.

Jen G: How do you implement your challenge into your music?

Bree Noble: I have written a song specifically about dealing with that called “Running”. As far as how I physically deal with it, I always scout out the stage in advance, make sure there are no wires to trip on or stairs that I can’t see. It is sometimes hard meeting people after the show, but I always try to offer my hand first as not to offend people in case I don’t see them offer it to me.

Jen G: What would say to others who may have physical challenges who have lost hope?

Bree Noble: Find your niche. Everyone has a talent. It may not be what you think everyone wants or expects. I know some visually impaired people who are fantastic radio personalities, writers and musicians. Without seeing them in person, I had no idea they were impaired in any way. There was a man I worked with on musical collaboration over the Internet who was quite talented. I collaborated with him for 6 months before I met him. When I did, I was shocked to find that he was paralyzed from the neck down! He was doing all his composing using speech software. After meeting him, I will never underestimate anyone’s talent again. If you have the desire, you can find the equipment, aids and personnel to make it happen.

Jen G: Your album Healing Waters is truly a witness of the love of God in your life. How do you keep that intimate relationship with on the daily bases?

Bree Noble: I wish I could say I had a regular quiet time. I do have that desire, but having a young child usually prevents that morning time. I try to pray as often as I can throughout the day and read the Word. What always amazes me about reading the Word is the way Jesus wasn’t “conservative” but totally radical in his living out the Gospel truths. He didn’t mince words and he didn’t let anyone get away with anything. Actually reading the words of Jesus brings me closer to him. Listening to music with a deep message of truth also helps bring me closer to Him.

Jen G: As a mother, what would you tell other parents, youth leaders, teachers and mentors who may not be sure how they can encourage children and teenagers with physical challenges who may have given up hope?

Bree Noble: Seek out others in the same position-support groups of parents or groups for the children so they can feed off of the success of others and share strategies. There are groups in many areas like this. The groups share technology that can assist, help find fundraising to pay for the technology and teach life skills that are vital.

Jen G: What would you say to others who have given up on themselves, and they’re looking for God, but can’t seem to find him?

Bree Noble: I know it’s almost become a Christian cliché by now, but I really think The Purpose Driven Life is an important devotional for anyone who is searching for significance in life and to meet God on a personal level. It will steer you in the right direction with bible verses that will encourage you and practical thought guides on how to figure out what God means in your life and how to follow His plan. Also, find support groups or fellowship groups of people in similar life circumstances. I found a lot of comfort and support in my moms groups once I faced all the new challenges of having a child. We share what God has done in our lives and that helps encourage those who feel like they’ve lost sight of Him.

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