We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenn Bostic a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenn, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have been blessed with the opportunity to record and release five full length albums up to this point in my career. Each album is incredibly special to me, providing musical discoveries, as well as unraveling pieces of myself along the journey. My latest project, “You Find a Way,” is no exception. This album is a collaboration with hit songwriter and Grammy nominated producer Lauren Christy. I met Lauren back in 2013, after the success of my song “Jealous of the Angels,” as I began writing for my third album. The two of us wrote several songs for that album (Faithful), as well as one for the following (Revival), but it wasn’t until 2018, as I was self-releasing my “Revival” album that Lauren reached out asked if I might be interested in writing and recording an album together that’s sole purpose was to honor God. What Lauren didn’t know, is that I had prayed a prayer about a week earlier, asking God to show me the next step He had for me. I have been a worship leader most of my adult life, and my heart was inspired to record an album for Him, however I prayed for affirmation, and Lauren’s phone call was the answer to a prayer.

Throughout the creative process of “You Find a Way,” each songwriting session began as something of a devotional. We vulnerably shared what was on our hearts, and navigated through conversations that made us stronger. A lot of prayer went into this project, and with it’s original release set for Easter of 2020, there was a lot of time to really live with the songs, let them truly wash over us, and even add an additional track that felt like a missing thematic piece to the puzzle, before it finally released in July of 2022.

While Lauren and I wrote all the songs together for the project, there was one exception. My previous hit song “Jealous of the Angels,” is about losing my father in a car accident, and truly has become a big piece of my testimony. With the encouragement from our dear friend Clare, a new version of this song was added with a special tag of “Amazing Grace.”

While the album did receive some Christian radio play and has opened doors to new opportunities for me to share my story, the ways in which I was able to grow spiritually, emotionally, and musically during this project means more than I could ever explain. I am truly grateful for this album, as well as the deep friendships that were created during the process.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a vision to write and perform songs that encourage others to believe they can overcome the obstacles in their lives. At ten years old I lost my dad in a car accident, and songwriting was the therapy that helped me process through that trauma. During the grieving process, I struggled to believe that anyone could possibly understand what I was going through. It wasn’t until years after the accident, that I moved to Nashville and wrote a song called “Jealous of the Angels” with Zach Runquist and Jimmy Fortune. This song allowed me to share my story in a vulnerable way. Whenever I have the opportunity to play it, to this day, people resonate and connect with their own stories of loss. It helps remind me that I am not alone, and it is my prayer that this song, as well as others in my catalog, can help others know they’re not alone in whatever they may be facing. To see that song reach #1 in the United Kingdom and bring me to the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, is something I am eternally grateful for. I also feel blessed to have been named “International Touring Artist of the Year” at the British Country Music Association Awards in both 2017 and 2018. Every story I hear of how someone found hope, encouragement or comfort in one of my songs, it reminds me why I do what I do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m a Type A perfectionist, for better or for worse. I studied at Berklee College of Music from 2004-2008, and each spring break, the college took a group of students to Nashville, Tennessee, where we had the opportunity to hear stories and learn from people in the business. I would listen to those individual stories and look for a formula. I told myself there were certain ways things had to be done in order to be successful. I spent too much time comparing my path to the path of others, and started my career writing songs I thought the radio would want to hear, rather than writing from the heart. The “rude awakening” of not immediately signing a record deal after the release of my first album, and receiving what felt like earth shattering feedback, I reminded myself why I started writing songs in the first place, and on that second album, I wrote “Jealous of the Angels,” a song for my late father, which taught me so much about being authentic, vulnerable and following that inner voice.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life has changed for the better over the last year as my husband and I welcomed our son Skyler into the world. Navigating life as both artist and mom has been challenging, but there is a certain wholeness I’ve never known until now. There may be less songs written, but they’re somehow more meaningful. There may be less gigs performed right now, but somehow they’re more powerful. I have a lot of learning left to do, but I can say, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennbostic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jennbostic
• Facebook: facebook.com/jennbostic
• Twitter: twitter.com/jennbostic
• Youtube: youtube.com/jennbostic

Image Credits
First Image: Tara Diiorio Red Top Live Shot: Andy Teo Sparkly jacket: Tara Diiorio Purple dress & Power Iceland Shot: Sara Kauss Other live shots unknown.