Cheri Keaggy has had a string of hits such as "There is Joy in the Lord," "Not with Jesus" and "What Matters Most" since the 1990s. Recently she has released a brand new album "So I Can Tell" (please read our review at Breathecast's album review section).  And her latest single "There Will Be One Day" is already receiving tons of radio airplay.  We are grateful to Cheri for taking the time to chat with us here at Breathecast.com.

BREATHEcast:  Congratulations Cheri on your new record "So I Can Tell" and your latest single "There Will Be One Day" zooming up the charts.  How do you feel about that?  Why was "There Will Be One Day" chosen as the new single? 

I have been thrilled at the response this album is receiving. It speaks to how God is using it to minister to hurting hearts. It's so rewarding to put something out into the world that resonates with people. My producers Scott Dente and Ken Lewis did an awesome job with the whole project, but "There Will Be One Day" was definitely one of their picks for a single. Everyone felt strongly about it as a single. It's an anthem full of hope for every believer who longs for Home.

 
BREATHEcast:  Of all the albums you have released, how is "So I Can Tell" different and/or similiar to your other music? 

Each album is a snapshot of where I've been living in that time, what I've been struggling with, what God is teaching me...though this album is perhaps the most vulnerable lyrically as it comes following a significantly difficult season in life. As well, my earlier projects had a more pop sound and we took a more organic approach production-wise with this one in keeping with the times and with the subject matter. God showed up mightily in providing the funds for this recording through a crowd-funding tool called Kickstarter. It was a huge step of faith and God lived up to His Name, Jehovah-Jireh! I knew He had given me these songs as they poured out one after another, and that if He wanted them to be heard that He would make a way and that's exactly what He did.
 
BREATHEcast:  I know the songs from "So I Can Tell" are very personal to you.  If there is one song from the album that is most definitive of you and the journey God has brought you through which one would it be?  And why? 

Every song feels important to me. But, the first one that came to mind is "Starting a New Year Today", written on the one year anniversary of my divorce. I feel like I lived in a winter season for a very, very long time, fighting to keep my marriage in tact...fasting, praying, seeking counsel, and believing God would absolutely heal the whole thing. But, that isn't how it ended. Still, God is One Who redeems and brings beauty from ashes. And Jesus is the Man Who will never leave or forsake His Bride. My favorite part of the song is the bridge lyric...

"He said, 'See, I'm doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?

Making a way in the desert, filling up wasteland with streams

Yours is a story of Winter, but, my child, you have believed

That I am the Author of your life and now I am writing your Spring, welcome Spring."

I feel like I'm living in a Spring season right now. That song and probably the title cut, "So I Can Tell" because when God has brought you through something, when you've tasted and seen He is good, and His Love has transformed your life, you can't help but share it. You are compelled to testify. Thus, the hook lyric, "I have heard the Truth so I can tell." I'm definitely in a season of telling and pouring out everything He's poured into me.
 
BREATHEcast:  As a songwriter, what inspires you to write?  Do you write using the piano or do you just sing the tunes?  

I've heard it said the songwriter is on the job 24/7 because you never know when the inspiration will come and you're always on standby. Life inspires me. More specifically, it seems I am most inspired or the best songs come from the pain of life. The more pain I am in the more desperate I am for God, the more I need Him and cling to Him and pour out my heart in my journal. The Scriptures inspire me. Good sermons inspire me. Good books. Even my children. I often write the lyrics and melody at the same time. To me words have a certain rhythm. Words sing a certain way. So to sing the words as they flow out makes sense to me and then I just put the piano accompaniment to it. Songwriting has been a gift to me, a part of my devotional life with the Lord. Sometimes I have to sing the truths I know my heart needs to hear, to rehearse them, to confess what I know to be true. Many of my songs are also simple prayers to the Lord. They're really not that clever, just honest prayers put to music.
 
BREATHEcast:  Of all the songs on the record, the country/bluegrass romp "Air, Food, and Water" is the most unusual.  Can you tell how the song came about? 

Yes. I was in the depths of despair, so afraid of for the future. I was still holding out hope that God would restore the marriage, but it wasn't looking good. I didn't know if I would be single the rest of my life, or even where I would live. I couldn't imagine that I could ever be open to loving another man when I was married to my high school sweetheart for twenty-two years and had invested so much. I had so many questions and concerns. I was full of fear and completely overwhelmed in my circumstance. But, I went to church and the pastor preached a sermon on the three things we need to survive...1) air, 2) sustenance, namely food and water, and 3) God's presence. Right then and there I knew that I had everything I needed in Christ. That the God Who Sees saw me and somehow I knew I would be O.K. In that moment, I moved from a place of fear back to a place of faith having been reminded of the All-Sufficiency of Christ. Months later when I got the directive from the Lord to begin writing again, this was one of the first fruits of that season. I love how the Lord can turn our mourning into dancing. This song is a good example of that. And it's the first song where my dog gets an honorable mention.
 
BREATHEcast:  Besides "Air, Food, and Water" you also had a duet with Marty Roe of Diamond Rio on your last record, have you ever thought of releasing a country gospel record? 

Not really. I'm from Southern California:) But, I loved the treatment on "Air, Food, & Water" with the harmonica and the ukulele. I was also pleased to record a cover of "You've Got A Friend" with Marty as he and his wife and kids have been close friends through the years.
 
BREATHEcast:  This together with your last album "Because He First Loved Us" were self-released, how is this different from recording for a major label?  

It's a lot more work, that's for sure! Independent artists have to wear so many hats! I feel like my hand is in every aspect of the ministry and there is always work to be done. But, the work is very fulfilling and God has given me a great supporting team. Still, I am grateful for the platform that the major label gave me. I feel so thankful to be able to do what I feel called to do in whatever capacity the Lord allows me to do it.
 
BREATHEcast: You started out as a worship leader in church, do you still lead worship now? If you do, what are the songs you would sing?  Do you sing your own songs? 

Yes, I still lead worship, not at my home church in Tennessee, but as I travel around. I do a lot of women's conferences, for example, where they may want me to give a concert, do the speaking, and lead corporate worship throughout the weekend. I do my own songs, yes, as I have a collection of originals, but I also mix in popular modern praise and worship songs and the traditional hymns. Something in me needs to sing the songs that the believers of the past sang before me. I feel a part of a bigger family and love the rich lyrics. I suppose I will always be a worship leader at heart. It is my natural bent to point people to the Lord and the Holy Spirit does the rest. What a privilege!
 
BREATHEcast:  What is next for Cheri Keaggy?  Can we expect a follow up album soon?  And what and when will it be?  

Wow. I wish I knew! Right now I'm just trying to keep up with what God has me doing in the moment. With the new album and new interest in my story, God is using me in a new way in ministry. I feel emboldened and propelled to make the most of every opportunity. We've seen an increase in ministry opportunities, both on the road and via interviews, radio airplay, TV appearances, etc. I am trusting God to lead here. I've thought about a hymns project since so many of them have been special to me, anchors throughout my life. I also am passionate about writing and feel there is a book burning inside me. I just haven't received clarity from the Lord about my next step. You can trust I will be on my knees to receive my marching orders and announcements will be forthcoming very soon!
 
BREATHEcast:  How can our readers purchase "So I Can Tell" and find out more about you? 

Thanks for asking. My website is a great tool, www.cherikeaggy.com. You can watch video clips, hear samples of the new album, subscribe to my weekly blogs or monthly e-newsletters, check my calendar, and yes, order the So I Can Tell CD. I'll even autograph it for you. We've been running a special since the release...buy one So I Can Tell CD for $15 and get a second for $10 "so you can tell" a friend about my music. Or, if you prefer, you can download it via itunes, amazon, CDBaby, etc. Oh, and you can also find me on Facebook (facebook.com/CheriKeaggy) or follow me on Twitter (@cherikeaggy). Thanks!