2 of 2

The only drawback I see is that record companies are a lot more pressed financially and I don't think that artists get as long of a running jump as they did in the past. I am sad about that because so many artists who would have had their arms held up [in support by the record labels] 20 years ago are today have to get it right in a couple albums or else move on.

These days, you've taken to public speaking in addition to music. Lots of artists do that nowadays, so what sets you apart?

Becker Part of chapter two for me is to use words in more creative ways than just music. One of the things deeply ingrained in me was the need to share more of myself in a speaking role. It's not something I like to do, frankly. It's not something I do naturally, but it's something that I am called to do, so I know that it's part of my development in Christ.

What sets me apart? The fact that it's me! We are all very unique. Every speaker who speaks, whether they come from selling shoes or music, will have a very different tone and a different take on Christ's expressions in their life. That alone will make us stand apart from one another.

You're also a mentor to up-and-coming artists. What advice do you give the most?

Becker Pray, pray, pray, pray. Did I mention pray? That's the biggest advice I can give. The second biggest is, "Go and do." You don't need permission to express Christ. We are called to do so. Don't wait for somebody to do an 8 x 10 glossy and a bio. Go out there and offer yourself—do it. Right now, with way music is promoted and distributed through the Internet, there has never been a better time for independent artists to go and do and even support themselves (or close to it) through what they have to offer.

What song on Air resonates with you the most at the moment and why?

Becker "You're Still God." It's a theme that I've visited often in my career: God's omniscience and his unfailing strength and mercy, juxtaposed against our humanity. To me, that truth—God's mercy for us, his strength, and his tolerance of our nonsense—never ceases to amaze me.

For more about Margaret Becker, visit our site's artist page, where you'll find our review of her latest album, Air

© Andree Farias, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

first page |  2 of 2