
Latin Lovebirds
Jaci Velasquez and Salvador's Nic Gonzalez share how their relationship developed over time, and how their new season of marriage and parenting has had an effect on their outlook and creativity.
by Andree Farias | posted 5/12/2008
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At risk of sounding stereotypical, it seemed only natural that Jaci Velasquez and Salvador's Nic Gonzalez would end up marrying and starting a family together. Not only are both Christians and Latinos, but they're also among the biggest proponents of their individual music styles—she in the realm of Christian pop, he the frontman of Christian music's premier Latin pop/rock band. But the relationship was not a smooth one, initially. The two dated several years ago, only to break up and go their separate ways—Velasquez got into what she now calls an "accidental" first marriage while Gonzalez kept busy focusing on touring. In 2006, the pair reconnected and, picking up right where they left off all those years ago, tied the knot in a small wedding in the groom's hometown of Austin, Texas. Today, the couple resides in Nashville, celebrating a trio of recent projects: the release of their respective albums—Velasquez's Love Out Loud (A'postrophe) and Salvador's Aware (Word)—as well as the birth of their first baby boy, Zealand David. The young Latin lovers talked to Christian Music Today about their new season in life together and what effect it's had on their creativity.
What is it like doing the music thing now that you're married and have a child? Is it a difficult adjustment?
Jaci Velasquez It's been different—a lot more juggling and prioritizing. I've learned that I can't do everything; I can only do the things that are really, really important. My priorities are different than they used to be. Between being a wife and mom, that's my priority over everything. I just try to do a little bit, but focus on what's most important.
Nic Gonzalez Giving credit where credit is due, God is our scheduler and has a really good idea of what's going to happen before we do. And that makes things a lot easier because he'll start to put things into motion that I wouldn't expect or have any idea about. The Salvador schedule started slowing down because we didn't want to get to the point where we played so much that one day I'd walk away from it. My management company has always asked me, "Nic, how are you feeling?" So after getting married, all the guys understood that it'll be a little less work, but it's actually become more work since they now play for Jaci as well.
Nic, you've grown accustomed to being a road dog along with your band members. How did marriage change that touring dynamic and the overall music on your new album, Aware?
Gonzalez The impact of marriage was an amazing thing for me, as well the impact of my wife being pregnant during the writing of [Salvador's] record. Personally, I found I had become a little less interested in giving God thanks for the everyday things, like my health, the health of my wife, and the fact that we had food to eat. I kind of took those things for granted for a while. I was so used to working hard, and by the labor of your own hands you feel like you can accomplish anything.
I don't know if it's the blood or just something in me that says I can make things happen; I just have to work hard at it to do it. But at the same time, God has allotted these things for me. God has allowed me to have these things. So I realized I don't want to be ungrateful. Instead, I wanted to be the guy that says, "You know what, God? I'm going to take a step back and write songs that honor You and tell You I'm glad where I am."
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