July 2, 2008
I met Lindsey Kane when I spoke at the She Speaks conference. She stepped on to the stage and immediately led the filled-to-capacity crowd into worship. It was beautiful and real.
Just like Lindsey.
Later we got to spend a little time together, and I got to see the heart behind this rising musical artist.
Lindsey and I talked, and here is the interview exclusively for you, the RTF reader.
Suzie: Lindsey, I know the obvious question is “when did you get started in your music”, but what I want to know is how you became such a cool human being?
Lindsey: you think I’m cool? OMG! that is news to me. I guess I never knew I had cool status, but if you say so, I guess I’ll believe you J whatever coolness factor I have, I must attribute to Jesus. He is the kewlest of all.
Suzie: Okay, so how did you get started in music?
Lindsey: I’ve always loved to sing. my whole life. I actually sang before I spoke. dad said he heard me singing in the back of the car. but I never did anything with music. I just sang in the shower and bugged my family, but my number one passion was sports.
The middle of my junior year in high school my family moved from Midland to Austin, TX. During the summer, the basketball gym was closed so I got bored and asked myself, “What is something I’ve always wanted to do but have never done?” and the answer was, playing the guitar. so I went and found my mom’s classical guitar from the 70s with only 5 strings, bought a chord book, and started teaching myself how to play.
Within one week I wrote a song. It just really came naturally. almost like I was born to do it. so I kept playing guitar and kept writing and then started helping lead worship for my youth group and other ministries.
It kind of snowballed from there and I finally felt like I’d hooked into what God created me for!
Suzie: You travel a lot. What’s the best and worst aspects of being on the road?
Lindsey: The good thing is that I love to travel. I love meeting people from all over the world and seeing how different yet alike we all are. Flying and driving all over the country has it perks. I’ve had the opportunity to see things I never thought I’d see.
The best aspects are probably all the amazingly fun and random experiences I get to have. It never gets old because there’s always something new in what I do. Traveling is so unpredictable and you just never know where you’ll find God and His character in the little things in life. It’s on those ridiculously long road trips where I’m able to focus my undivided attention on God. And it’s on those long plane flights when I’m able to worship Him as I see His creation below and all around me.
But don’t get me wrong, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes it’s not so glamorous. The 5 am flights are just plain wrong. And sometimes I’m in the car for 7 hours at a time with limited potty breaks! That is never fun. It can be rough sleeping in some strange places, like at camps where there are spiders and scorpions all around. And one time I even slept on dirt in a tent with no sleeping bag or pillow.
There are ups and downs to traveling, but all in all I love it. every time I get to travel, I know I’m fulfilling my calling, which is one of the best feelings ever.
Suzie: If someone wanted to be a groupie, how do they sign up?
Lindsey: I love groupies! I call it the “kane krew” and if you want to be a part of the kane krew, just say so! Let’s just be friends I email me and keep in touch and if you want, tell everyone about Jesus and if you’d like to use my music to do so, then more power to ya!
I collect people and I would love as many supporters as possible. I don’t call them fans. I call them frans, because they are friend fans. I like to think of groupies as my friends! Because I love people and I love having people around me to help and support me. So c’mon, come one come all, and join the kane krew! Join the email list on my website: http://www.lindseykane.com and add me as a friend on myspace (myspace.com/lindseykane2) and facebook! I’m accessible!
Suzie: You say that you are not just a performer, but someone who worships God through music. What does that mean, exactly?
Lindsey: Anyone can perform, it seems. It doesn’t take a lot to get up in front of people and perform (unless you’re deathly afraid of being in front of people). But it’s a different matter entirely to lead worship and worship God. I don’t want to be just a performer. I want to be a part of something bigger. I want God to use me to change the hearts and lives of His creation.
Performances make it all about the individual. I don’t want it to be about me, because I know me and I, just in myself, don’t have a lot to offer. Oh, but Jesus in me, wow! That’s another story. I want it to be about Him and His glory and I want to point people to worshipping Him, not the person on stage. I desire to become less and that He would become greater.
When I’m on stage “performing” or whatever one might call it, I really and simply just want to make much of God. I want people to see me and see a genuine believer who is worshipping God in spirit and in truth. not only with music, but with her life. when people leave a concert or worship time, I want them to be more in love with Jesus, not simply entertained.
Suzie: What is your advice to the teens tuning in today who want to be a musical artist?
Lindsey: First, I would surrender as soon as possible. surrender surrender surrender. if God has given you a gift, then give it back to Him and pray that He would use it for His glory. He’ll take good care of your talent because He gave it to you and He wants to use you for His glory.
If you’re in it to make yourself famous, then get out! I fell into that trap about 6 years ago and that is no fun, trust me! Also, I would definitely examine whether or not you feel called to minister through music. It’s a blast and it’s a dream, but it definitely makes all the difference in the world if you’re called by God.
But my advice would also be to dream big. With God all things are possible. Don’t limit yourself and don’t limit Him. Trust Him above all else and He will take good care of you, because He loves you and wants what’s best for you, His precious daughter or son. Always make it all about Him. and humble yourself, acknowledging that any talent or gift you have is straight from God, the Giver of all good things.
Keep abiding in Christ and the rest will follow. And perfect your craft. If you sing, sing as much as possible. Walk through every open door God places in your path. If you play an instrument, practice and play as much as you can. Perfect your craft for God’s glory. It takes hard work and dedication, but when your central focus in Jesus, He will work His power within you.
And always remember that if you delight yourself in the Lord, He will surely give you the desires of your heart!
Suzie: Okay, let’s change gears. What is your favorite food? Favorite TV show? Favorite thing to do when
you aren’t on the road?
Lindsey: I love this question! my favorite #1 absolutely amazingly wonderful fave food in the entire world is macaroni and cheese! Kraft preferably but I also like velveta. I’m a simple gal with simple tastes and the one thing that makes me happy no matter what is some good ol’ fashioned in the box mac and cheese.
Fave TV show would definitely have to be 24. I just love Jack Bauer and how he has to save the world every season. He is so cute and the action is non-stop. It’s also very clean and you don’t feel like you have to take a shower after you watch it. It’s addictive and I can’t wait til it comes back on in November! But I also love tear jerkers, like Extreme Makeover Home Edition. And of course I’m obsessed with dogs, so I love the Dog Whisperer.
My absolute fave thing to do when I’m not on the road is enjoy the sanctuary that is my home! I love being in my home and sleeping in my own bed, since it’s rare. I love sitting on my couch with my sweet golden retriever and watching dvd’s and eating edamame.
I love hanging out with my girlfriend and going out to eat or talking over soy lattes! Basically, I just like winding down. I like recouperating and spending time with Jesus in true rest. I love going outside and to the park with my pup and just being in God’s creation.
Suzie: What I loved best about meeting you is that you were real. You didn’t try to pretend to be anything but Lindsey. We often think that it’s only the media that asks girls to act and look a certain way, but honestly sometimes there’s just as much pressure in the Christian world. There can be a lot of pressure to conform or to fit in, and yet we are so unique. What would you say to the girl who feels God’s call on her life, but wants to be herself as she runs after God?
Lindsey: You hit the nail on the head with that one. Unfortunately yes, there is a great deal of pressure in the Christian world to look and act a certain way. Just because it’s the Christian culture, doesn’t mean that a heavy emphasis isn’t put on the external. Regardless of what situation I’m in, I must guard against the lies of the world. I can no longer listen to the world tell me I have to wear a certain size and brand of jeans in order to be beautiful.
I must stake my worth on what is said about me in the Word of God. Things like, “I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.” psalm 139:14 … Somehow, with God’s help, we must move beyond our innate desire to conform. I think God wants us to bust out of our box and I think He’s ready for us to allow Him to bust out of His box too! there is so much more out there for us than simply trying to look like everyone else in order to fit in and be considered beautiful.
It’s true, each of us is unique, created by God in His image for a divine specific purpose. my advice to a gal who feels called by God to be used by Him would be this:
BE YOURSELF! Be original! The most beautiful thing you can do for yourself is to simply be yourself! Run after God with reckless abandon and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Keep your eyes focused on Him, the author and perfecter of your faith! run with perseverance! Embrace your true and unique God-given identity. Root yourself in the Word so that you can battle the lies of the world. Listen to what He says about you and follow His desires. Look at His measure of beauty, not the world’s, because His measure is the only one that lasts and the only one that matters!
To connect with Lindsey or to check out her tunes or to become part of the Kane Krew, go to:
www.lindseykane.com
www.myspace.com/lindseykane2
www.lindseykane.blogspot.com
Facebook [Lindsey kane]
LeAnn says:
WOW! Thanks for the REAL interview with Lindsey. She truly is the REAL DEAL! I noticed something so awesome about her during She Speaks. Actually… everyone noticed this about her. As Lindsey walked through the corridors she stopped to speak with, or to just touch the hand of, everyone in her path. She genuinely loves people. (Of course - it sure does take a long time to get from one end of the hotel to the other when she’s with you.) One of the coolest things I witnessed was in the little coffee house. Some pre-teens were in there looking for junk food (’cause that’s what they like) and Lindsey remembered that they had been singing in the hallway a little earlier. Without mentioning that she was our Worship leader, she told them how cool THEY were and asked if they would teach her the song they had been singing. At that moment, I watched Lindsey become Jesus for those kids. She could have mentioned why she was there. She could have mentioned that she has an amazing CD. She could have mentioned that she is on the radio. She could have said a lot of things to bring attention to herself. Instead… she focused on them. She let their light shine. I will never forget the look on their faces. Thanks for the great lesson Linds!
Humbled to serve with both of you,
LeAnn
Debbie says:
Wow. Lindsey sounds incredibly cool. I really like her. I’m going to buy her CDs based on this interview.
Debbie