Singer/songwriter Cheri Keaggy is entering the studio to record her ninth album No Longer My Own, and has taken to Kickstarter to raise $25,000 for the project. The Christian music veteran chatted with BREATHEcast to speak about her upcoming project, her 20-year-career in the industry, and of course her famous uncle, Phil Keaggy.

BREATHEcast: You are entering the studio to record your ninth album No Longer My Own. How will this album be different than the last in terms of direction and music?

Cheri Keaggy: My last album, So I Can Tell, was written after a significant season of grief and loss in my life. The songs were very healing to me. I'm a little further down the road from that time now and this new body of work seems to have a broader theme to me. I'm able to speak to what's going on in the world a little more and hope to embolden fellow sojourners of the faith to live more fearlessly for Christ. The sound is yet to be created! Lord willing, if this project is funded, the plan is to be in the studio in January. One could expect the piano based singer/songwriter thing so the music will translate in the live setting. And it'll lean toward an Americana feel from a production sense.

BC: You said many doors have been opened up since the release of So I Can Tell. Will No Longer My Own address the things that have been going on in your life the last three years?

CK: Yes. My observations. My yearnings. The ways God is growing me, challenging me, and ministering to me. All of that goes into the music. If you want to get to know what's most important to me, listen to my music. It's my heart in song. And I can't wait to share No Longer My Own.

(Photo : McCain & Co. PR)

BC: What did you learn from your last experience doing Kickstarter that you brought with you to this campaign?

CK: That God can do anything. And that He seems to want us to put our faith into action believing Him for great things beyond ourselves. Also, that sometimes following God requires bravery and a whole lot of hard work! But, it's kingdom work and well worth the effort.

BC: How difficult is it to trust in faith, and figure out how much money to set the Kickstarter at?

CK: It can feel a little scary to press go on something like this, but God's love makes me want to live boldly and trust Him more fully. And He has proven Himself trustworthy. On setting the money goal, we tried to keep it conservative and intend to stretch the funds as far as we possibly can. It's important to me to be a good steward that way. This is kingdom money and it will be spent for kingdom purposes.

BC: You mentioned you are working with your uncle Phil Keaggy. What's it like working with such a legendary musician and will he actually be on the record?

(Photo : Facebook: Cheri Keaggy) Cheri Keaggy with her Uncle, legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy.

CK: Uncle Phil continues to be a great encouragement to me. It helps me so much to be able to share new material with him and get his feedback. Not only as a brother in Christ but as a fellow musician, he gets it. He's interested in music that moves him and makes him feel something and that's inspiring to me. He has been gracious to play on several of my albums in the past, including the beautiful acoustic postlude, "Invitation to Hope," on my last album. No doubt, he'll contribute on this one as well and we'll all be better for it!

(Phil Keaggy fans may be interested to know one of the special rewards available for the Kickstarter campaign is a hand-selected, autographed guitar by the legendary guitarist himself! See the perk here.)

BC: After so many years of being in the Christian music industry, how has music changed since you began and is it more or less difficult to survive as an artist now?

CK: Boy, has it changed! I've been doing this, as a recording/traveling artist for twenty years now. Though it's a lot of work, especially as an independent artist, and I have my hand in every aspect of what I do, I feel a lot of gratitude to still be doing it. And I know God is using my story and testimony to touch lives and minister to hurting people. So, at times I get weary of what I call the "administration of ministry," but I know it's a necessary part of moving things toward the end goal..and that it is impacting lives for the kingdom. And God is has been faithful to do it. That's why I do what I do, because He does what He does.

BC: Why do you feel music is such a powerful ministry tool?

CK: Words, melody, and the Holy Spirit. Such a powerful combination. Music gets to the heart like nothing else. It's a beautiful vehicle God has given to remind us we're not alone in our experience. It gives voice to our emotions and has a way of lifting us above our circumstances and smoothing over the rough edges of life.

BC: You deem your music inspirational. Where do you draw your inspiration from, and how do you keep your music fresh?

CK: It all comes from my walk with God. From sermons that I hear, books that I read, prayers that I pray, conversations that I have. and the worship that flows out of me. He is my Inspiration. Just when I think there's nothing left to say, or I've said it before, God brings a new idea, a strong impression, and a new song is born. I believe staying connected with Him keeps it fresh. I always have a journal close by for when the inspiration hits. I try and be a ready vessel that way.

BC: As a mother, can you explain some of the difficulties in balancing parenting, a ministry, and music?

CK: Well, I'm in a new season as a mother. My son has been married four years already and my daughter just got married this summer. So, for the first time in my life I'm an empty nester! Still, I remember wearing all those hats. I think the key to balance for any of us is learning to let God fill our love cup, so we have something to give to those around us. Sometimes I feel like I'm running on empty when I need to be running on Jesus, our Endless Supply. I've been so pleased to have been able to write songs specifically for and about my children and to know that those songs have been meaningful to other families is very special.

BC: Anything else to add?

CK: My passion is writing, really. And I don't get to spend as much time doing that as I'd like to. Songs are my heart poured out. Also, my blog. I love words and love using them to tell stories and express thoughts and truths. And speaking. Speaking has given me an opportunity to share with greater depth than what can be conveyed in a three and a half minute song. It's all in my mission statement...By God's grace and equipping, it is my life's joy and privilege to know Christ and make Him known, ministering His message of Hope and Healing through song, speech, and the written word; to tell of His goodness and compel others to do the same for the glory of God.

See the Kickstarter campaign trailer below:

Cheri Keaggy is just about at the halfway point of her campaign at the time of this writing. She has six days left to get the project funded and has tons of great rewards for people who do so. Some of these perks include the Phil Keaggy guitar, dinner with her, various autographed memorabilia, handmade bracelets, free events, and even a song written about a loved one. Be sure to check out the Kickstarter here.