Thank you, Chris Machen, for meeting with us today to tell your story! To begin with, can you tell our readers a little bit about your background and what you are working on in 2022?
My wife, Diane met at Baylor University. I grew up in Phoenix, AZ and she on Long Is, NY. We are musicians, concert artists, music producers, worship leaders and studio singers. We’ve spent over four decades in the field of Christian music singing concerts, writing songs for publishers of church choir music and for other artists, like The Gatlin Brothers, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and southern gospel groups like The Talleys and Gold City Quartet.
We were nominated for a Dove Award in 2021 and were inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in the same year. Our song, Bow the Knee, was honored as Lillenas Publishing’s All-Time Top Selling Anthem. You can see our full bio at mastersmusic.com. In 2022 we are continuing a project begun a few years back. We have written an original Broadway-style, bluegrass musical called Hope In The Heartland. It can be seen Jan 6-8 at the Granville Arts Center in Garland. https://www.garlandartsboxoffice.com/p/pages/hope-in-the-heartland-tickets
What challenges have you faced while running The Masters Music Company?
Since we are a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our ongoing challenge is to raise the needed funds to do our ministry. Now, with the Hope In The Heartland production in full swing, we must raise the needed financial support to pay our actors, production team, rent the hall we use as well as advertising. Which brings us to the second biggest challenge. Getting the word out. We want as many people to see this program as possible because of the encouraging nature of the theme of the show-Hope in hard times!
What is the overall mission of The Master’s Music Company?
Well, that is multifaceted, but the overarching purpose of our organization is to encourage people to find faith in God. We accomplish this through music. From the songs we write to the concerts we perform, to the theater productions we create, our goal is to let people know that God loves them. Pretty simple. Our lives were so radically changed and helped by our relationship with God, that we want others to know the same love and acceptance that we found.
What important lessons have you learned while running The Masters Music Company that you can share with our readers?’
Being a small organization and musicians primarily, we have needed to lean on folks in the business community to help us make wise business decisions. We gave business owners, lawyers, accountants, and various other professionals who help guide us. If you know you have a weak spot, then definitely seek outside help from those who have the needed expertise you lack.
