Kelly Willard - Interview with Autumn Records' Kelly Willard

We met Kelly earlier this year in Nashville. We chatted with her about her new album entitled 'Paga', her heart for ministry, and much more!

MQ: Do you have a mission statement?

Kelly: My heart and passion is to be a part of helping to lead people in worship, to the Lord - and helping to set the atmosphere for worship ... and just contemplation of God's goodness and faithfulness. You know, a lot of times business gets done with God in those times - between just the individual and God. A lot of times it's not even expected. Once you enter into worship, and it's like God starts dealing with you - and so much gets done in the midst of worship. That's what my heart is and my greatest joy actually is - to be a part of leading worship.

TQ: Was the role of worship leader something of a result of others seeing a gift in you and being blessed by your singing?

Kelly: I basically sang original songs and my first few albums were all original songs. I just remember when I lived in California, we were going to Newport Mesa Christian Center in Orange County and one night I was going to have a worship time. It was one of the first times I ever really did just 'leading worship' and as I sang the choruses that were dear to my heart, I really sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to me and saying, "I want you to do this more - do what's closest to your heart more." So, it began to be a mixture - and it still is at this point - a mixture of a few of the songs that are the lessons that the Lord has taught me - and then straight up worship to God.

TQ: Have you had any mentors along the way?

Kelly: Well, honestly I haven't had very many straight on, you know, people working with me. But I can tell you who influenced me and they didn't even know it. Nancy Honeytree influenced me. Marty Goetz. Harlan Rogers - I was with his group for quite a long time. He actually had to talk me into singing songs! (laugh) Because at that time I was so timid I wouldn't sing a solo. This was way back - it was before praise and worship became such a huge, popular and accepted as normal and mainstream with everybody doing - which I think is wonderful! But I'm just so old here! (laugh) I'm from back in the day where there weren't really that many. 2nd Chapter of Acts influenced me. Annie Herring. Just a few people. Oh, Kevin Prosch - I forgot to mention Him. He's a major mentor.

TQ: You mentioned how you were very timid at the start. Many folks feel that they are not good enough or lack the self confidence to step out and do those things that they fear. Do you have any advice for those people as you've come out of that timidness and into the spotlight, so to speak...

Kelly: Yeah. I did not want to be there! (laughing) Like I said, Harlan had to talk me into singing solos in front of people. I was wanting to stay in the background, you know? Just play the piano, and be quiet. I played for The Archers and Seth - which was a group out of Oklahoma City. And I just really enjoyed backing people up. I really didn't have any aspirations of doing anything more. But like I said, people that I respected helped draw it out of me and helped me to just do it! Have nerves, have fear - but do it anyway. So for me, I just shut my eyes and sing to the Lord. Psychologists and people who like to figure people out might say, "Well, she's scared and shutting everybody out" - and you know what? That is partly true! (laugh) And I'll admit it. But the other part of it is that I am focusing on God - and just singing directly to Him - and whatever else happens in the room, is up to Him. The Holy Spirit is faithful to come - and He dwells within the praises of His people. So, I'm just going to show up.

TQ: While praises to God are being sung, the Holy Spirit is moving...

Kelly: Yeah. Back when He impressed it upon my heart to sing those choruses that meant so much to me, He also spoke to me and said, "I'll do the rest. I'll be touching people's hearts that you're not aware of. I'll be doing my thing - and you just worship me." And I'm like, "Okay!" Easy instruction there. That's my joy.

TQ: Yeah. You see it a lot where someone coming up might think, "I've got to be better at this, and do A, B and C and then God will be able to work through me" - when I tend to think that's backwards. I think God will bless obedience and faithfulness - and all these other details are just icing on the cake, you know?

Kelly: Yeah - it's incidental. Actually, the vulnerability of not feeling that you're good enough, not feeling that your craft is sharpened enough, not feeling like you're ready - like I didn't feel like I was ready for this interview and I'm just being honest and vulnerable - but I feel like God shows up when we're honest and vulnerable and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. So, I agree with what you're saying about younger people just going for it with their heart - worshiping God - and they'll get better as they do it as far as perfecting their instrument and things. But I really love what's happened in the worship scene with the Worship Together people - and Matt Redman. When I heard him, I just went nuts. I started getting my kids to listen to it - generally I know it's the kids who are trying to get the parents - but for some reason in our household, it was a little the other way. I guess it was because I had been down that road a little ahead of them. Darrell Evans. So, my son ends up playing bass with Matt Redman eventually. (laugh) This is mind boggling. This is cool. Now I'm going to get on the subject of bragging about my son, but he's one of those I'm so proud of in this generation. Chris Tomlin and all these people just coming forth with radical dedication to God and praise in their hearts and in their music. My son is with a guy that's totally radical for the Lord in music. His name is Jason Upton. My son is with his ministry. He plays bass, writes songs, and sings.

TQ: You've got a new album out...

Kelly: It's on Autumn Records. God bless them for wanting to help me put this album out - that I started seven years ago!

TQ: Any particular songs or themes on it that you want to talk about?

Kelly: Well, first of all, the project is titled PAGA. That's a Hebrew word that means 'to make intercession'. A few years ago, I felt that the Lord was teaching me how important our prayers - prayers with music, prayers without music, just our praise and worship to Him - were so important to Him. First of all, because they're a sweet savor unto His nostrils. Such a blessing to Him, our Creator! But also, He began to show me how that these songs and prayers of ours - it's like they turn into a type of intercession. When other people wouldn't know how to get those feelings up and those words out, they identify with our worship and praise. They come along - it's like intercession because it's for them too without even trying to snag them, like you're catching a fish or something - they just identify and come along. And so, that's what God impressed me to entitle the new album. It's PAGA. There are songs on there like "How Can I Live Without You?" and "Beautiful Jesus" and the old song "Charity" - it's' from the 70's. (laugh) You all weren't even born before this song came out the first time! This is only the second time that I know of that that song has been recorded. All it is is first Corinthians 13 - love is patient, kind. It's about God and His character. There are heart cry songs like "Until I Am In Love With You" which is 'Lord, help me' - cause me to thirst for Your Word and 'to require You as my vital need.' It's a continual heart cry - the one we all have daily. Since we're in this earthly body, we have to cry out for His redemption daily.