We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monte Henderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monte below.
Monte, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I absolutely wish that I had started my career in music sooner!
I recall falling in love with music at the age of six. I didn’t realize that I could actually sing until I was eight years old. I was walking home from school singing “Sentimental Thoughts” by Alexander O’Neal, don’t as me how I knew that song, and a lady sitting in her front yard heard me and said “Wow you have a great. voice”. of course, I was feeling myself a little bit after that. needless to say, there was always a melody of some sort in my head and I would often times get in trouble in school for humming while working. At home I had keyboards and a drum set that I would play around with as toys, I sang in the school and church choir, and I could spend hours in my room, listening to music and dissecting musical elements. Music was all over me, but I was too shy to show off my talents.
By the age of 10 I had my heart set on becoming an architect. I guess at the time, that seemed like a more reliable and tangible career goal than pursuing music. Back then artists were still being discovered and signed to labels, so it all seemed like success was predicated around “who you know” or “luck”. Who knew that the music industry would open up to what it is now. Though, I decided to channel my efforts towards obtaining degrees and education, music remained as my first love and always in my back pocket. I sang my first solo in church at 13, I began writing music in high school, and continued to showcase my gifts, but never consistently enough to develop into a career until I finally mustered up the courage to release my first single “With All That I Am” in 2018.
Everything does indeed happen for a reason, even when we don’t understand it right away. I can only imagine where I would be in my music career if I had started younger, but who knows maybe that’s not a bad thing. I have learned from maturity and experience, that as long as the passion and the will is still there, it’s never too late.
Monte, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a singer and songwriter in the realm of Contemporary Christian/ Gospel music, proudly hailing from the vibrant city of Dallas, TX. with a heart dedicated to spreading faith, love and inspiration, through heartfelt lyrics that resonate with the listeners, and ignites hope. Having grown up in a baptist church, in Texas, to serving on the worship team of one of the largest non-denominational churches in the U.S., to leading worship and ministering in various parts of the world, I strive to create music, in the spirit of excellence, that embodies the essence of my roots and experiences,
I received my first music credits singing tenor background vocals on Cindy Cruise-Ratcliff “Twenty Three” album in 2011. in 2018 I released my first singled titled “With All That I Am”. I wrote the song in 2011 for an artist in The Netherlands, but I decided to record it myself. I released the second single “Thirst” in 2021, and my third single “G.T.L.A. ( Give This Love Away) in 2022. G.T.L.A. peaked at 53 on the Gospel BDS Billboard Charts, 63k+ Digital Streams, and 5.5k Video Views. This year I am releasing an EP titled “Let’s Go” on August 4th. I am so excited about this project as it is my first compilation, and it features songs that I have been holding onto since high school. I am so eager for listers to hear it and I hope that they’re inspired.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my opinion society can best support artists by purchasing music and not just streaming.
It is a known fact that the artist makes less than a penny per stream, yet you’re paying $9.99+ per month for your streaming service. Yes, streaming music definitely helps with numbers and the algorithms, but it takes money to make and promote music. In many instances artists are putting out way more financially than they receive from sales and streams which is unsustainable.
When you purchase music the artist is receiving about 90% of the sale, so for a track that cost $0.99, the artist receives $0.89. It would take hundreds of streams for an artist to make $0.89. I’m not saying stop streaming, because we need those too, but consider going the extra mile for those independent artist who you love and want to continue to hear from.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is that feeling I get when hear the completed project for the first time.
Knowing that I was able to bring this idea in my head to fruition makes me feel gratified and accomplished. I know you didn’t ask for this, but the second most rewarding aspect is when it’s released and received by the listeners. It brings me so much joy to know that people are inspired by and enjoy my work. Thats what inspires me to continue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Monte.everyday
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/monte.everyday
- Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/monteeveryday
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MonteHenderson
Image Credits
Photographed by RdotSmith Photography