It was a comfortable 110 degrees outside that day. Most people will tell you “Arizona is hot but its a nice, dry heat”. Whatever! It was hot, hot. Still I told Shelley that morning, “Oh, you will love it in Arizona… it’s like a warm blanket.” So, while waiting to pickup Shelley (my amazing wife) coming in from the airport later that day, I had a chance to sit down with Brooke Williams at her piano in her parents’ house. Her parents “air-conditioned” house. Whew!
Brooke Williams has been very involved in music with her Church and youth groups. Her parents, also huge music fans, have always encouraged creativity in their children. I had heard Brooke sing a few times before, but this day was kind of special. She had been writing songs now and she was going to play one for me. So, I sat back in this armchair and she started playing this melody that I still to this day find myself humming from time to time.
The song was “Only Yours,” a teenage testament (I should mention she was 15 at the time) to her love of Jesus. What I found very profound about the song was that it wasn’t just a worship song but a kind of conversation with Jesus, letting him know that “I know I am just a kid, I am gonna make mistakes, but I know that I can always count on you and I will do my best to do the right thing.”
Now, almost two years later, Brooke is still writing, performing and has even learned to play the guitar. But she is still the same girl I sat with at that piano, still learning, teaching and still doing her best.
I was very excited when she emailed me to let me know she performed “Only Yours” and recorded it to post on YouTube. I was surprised to see her sitting in a chair with a guitar rather than at a piano. It was an interesting take on that song that seems to have grown up with her. I am still a fan of the original version and hopefully she will one day have an album with both versions on it.
Does becoming a star matter to her? I think she would be thrilled to get out there and spread the word through her songs, but I also believe that she is very comfortable being part of something even greater. Her personal relationship with Jesus and his music coming through her heart, hands and voice.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWfYlaV5Y_w
You can check out more from Brooke Williams at her lightvox community profile or myspace page
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