We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bradley Banks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bradley below.
Bradley , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I learned to be resilient very early in life. My birth mother had me at a young age and struggled with drug abuse. She was what most people would call a “free spirit” which meant there was no structure or consistency in our household. She created an environment that would be considered unsafe for a child. I became resilient with being forced to survive abuse (mental, sexual, and physical), abandonment, and neglect. Even in all of that, Jesus had a plan and I was eventually placed in the care of my great aunt and uncle. Their household was a lot more strict and I was given the structure I needed. With years of therapy and deconstruction, I was able to persevere through the trauma. This could’ve not been done without maintaining a healthy relationship with Christ. Prayers and guidance of family and my church family at Mt Calvary Pentecostal who equipped me for the challenges I would face in life.
In the Bible, James 2 talks about faith. It’s one thing to have it but you also have to do the work. I have faith in my dreams but I don’t have the luxury to sit around and wait for them to come to pass. I put my faith in God but He also gives me the tools to complete the task at hand He has never given me an idea without the provision.
Even though life dealt me a set of cards I couldn’t allow others stories to be the author of mine. This same mindset helped me navigate through college, hustling as a struggling artist living in Los Angeles, to present-day living with Chronic Kidney Disease.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I recently released a new project entitled Tree in Lebanon. It is a real-life depiction of what it feels like to be alone in a desert place. Trees don’t grow in the desert but because of God, I am standing tall and thriving. So it’s a prophetic art peace that will be encouraging to anyone who feels alone in a barren place. We are currently planning a tour for this fall so I’m looking forward to hopefully coming to visit some of you!
I am an Ambassador of Worship. I know that I have been sent here to earth to be a spokesperson for the kingdom of Heaven. I do this through music and intimate worship encounters. I also travel internationally and use music as a tool to tell others about the freedom that I have found in my faith journey and about my relationship with Jesus. Also to inspire others into pursuing a deeper understanding and relationship with Him. I host worship events and lead conferences all over the US.
I also am a signed songwriter, my pen transcends the world of worship and writes songs about life, love, and hope. Oftentimes time artist will hire me to vocal coach their sessions. I help them achieve their best vocal while recording and even sing the demo or lay background vocals. You have to wear multiple hats to be successful in this industry.
I wouldn’t be anything without my team. So I want to take a moment to thank them. And also put their information if anybody needs something.
Krysten Williams: Stylist and Creative Director. IG: @dafunkieclothing
Randy McClure: Music Director, producer-engineer, Cowriter IG: @mxclvre
Joi Wynn: Artist development agency Dope x Default , Producer, Engineer, Cowriter IG: @stewdiopheen @dopexdefaultla
Damaris Gandy: Booking Agent, Social Media Manager IG: @damaristheceo
Kush Oxford: Producer @kushoxford
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Always remain a student. I took the time to learn the industry in which I wanted to be successful. I knew when I went to college I would be in the industry but not as an artist. For my undergrad, I studied entertainment business and my master’s is in public relations. That gave me a leg up on navigating the industry and I’ve had amazing opportunities just because I understood the language or protocols.
Collaboration and networking… we gonna just lump those into one because to me they go hand in hand. He who wants friends must show themselves friendly. Take the time to build solid relationships not just in your industry but with people from all walks of life. You never know how your story will impact someone else. Jump onto others’ projects, and support others’ dreams and that will be reciprocated in ways that you didn’t know you needed.
Invest in your brand! Pay your friends for their work, sign up for vocal lessons, join a community choir, hire a Stylist who understands your vision, Pay for a website, and send your music to streaming services. Take your time to ask yourself what you want people to perceive when you enter a room. You are a walking billboard. For me, my brand represents the kingdom of God so I have to move in excellence. And when you see my brand, I don’t want anything on display that’s not excellent
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
My team and I are currently working hard to promote my latest album, Tree in Lebanon, and preparing to go on tour in the spring.
We are looking forward to collaborating with:
-Photographers
-Videographers
-Radio/media personalities
-Churches
-Artists
-Creative believer brands
-music producers (EDM producers, I have some ideas)
You can contact me at OfficialBradleybanks @gmail.com or you can shoot me a DM on social media. IG: @officialbradleybanks Bradley Banks on Facebook.
Also, I’m currently on the list to receive a kidney transplant so if anyone is interested in donating visit.
-http://www.clevelandclinic.org/kidneydonor
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @officalbradleybanks
- Facebook: Bradley Banks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkEfAh0pNxUqCvPAWTJbF0Q?reload=9
