Overcoming Adversity
PICTURE THIS: Your band, after a number 1 single, grows beyond the Christian Music Industry in Australia and looks overseas. You tour America for 8 weeks and are awarded the New York Independent Music Festival 'Best International Artist' & 'Best Overall Band'. During GMA week, ReachOUT.tv awards you '2007 Foreign Band of the Year' (See www.reachout .org/2007MusicAwards). You are told you were booked in a US tour with a 40 cities in 60 days, complete with major label recognition and accomodations for all. Visas have already been arranged. So you sell almost everything you own for the chance of a lifetime and move to America.
It was all a lie. There were no performance dates and no visas.
JAEL is Bianca Dunstan (Lead Vocalist & Bass); Scott Ford (Vocals & Guitar); Boyd Hirn (Guitar); Selina Dunstan (Keyboard); and Timothy Waddell (Drums).
Gary Scarano: I love you guys and I encouraged people I know to "Get INTO JAEL." I interviewed you in Nashville. (See www.Reach OUT.org/jael) and was hurt to hear this news. How did it feel after selling your homes and coming to the US to only find you had been lied to?
JAEL: Although we had a lot of pressures...i.e. touring, visa's, and accomodations, there was a peace that surpassed all understanding about our situation that enabled us to focus, one problem at a time. Sure we had to handle the stress, but we self managed ourselves for nearly 10 years in Australia.
GS: Why didn't you go home?
JAEL: We had a reason and a purpose to be here in the U.S. and one way or another...God was going to help us to achieve it. At times we examined our reasons... trying to find if we were in error... but we couldn't ignore the evidence and the blessings.
GS: How did you live?
JAEL: We had accommodations and a car supplied for us for the first 6 months; and a van sold to us at half price with a trailer. We had a free practice room and storage. We found a discounted house to rent, food and furniture given to us, so many blessings as well as family sending money as well, people who...gave into our ministry because they wanted to bless us. Additionally some shows we played...sold a large amount of merchandise. This confirmed to us that if it's God's will it's His bill.
GS: Did you think this could happen in the 'Christian' music industry?
JAEL: It is just an industry ...so it surely comes with its share of people who are only after money. On top of that, people who call on the name of Jesus also sin.
GS: Do you trust people less?
JAEL: Even though we speak English, there is a big culture difference. We learned about the type of people who are not trustworthy and that will help us make better decisions in the future.
GS: What advice would you give someone thinking about going into the Christian music business?
JAEL: Josh Brown of Day of Fire said..."Don't be fooled by the title, 'Christian Record Company' they are a label just like any other, needing to make money. Just make sure you are in the center of God's will because that is where your success lies."
GS: Now that things are looking up, what can you say?
JAEL: God's blessings will continue from our harder times right through times of abundance. Barely a year after setting foot in America, being financially ripped off, no gigs, endless rehearsing, running aound in circles with Homeland Security and Immigration, we are preparing to go on tour on the festival circuit.
Through all the adversity JAEL's focus was never lost and failure was not an option. God's hand is clearly visible to us and surely no matter the hardship all things are His glory whether it be a story of success or a humbling lesson. For it's not the destination that brings Him glory but how you deal with the issues along the way. That's one thing we have learned ...there's always a need to move forward, never a time to stand still.
www.ReachOUT.tv, email info@ReachOUT.org Broadcast via cable into 3.7 million homes in the NY Metro area. ReachOUT… He is not Far.
Click here to view past articles written by Gary: www.ReachOUT.org/loveexpressarticle
