Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi Stark
Hi Lexi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Originally I’m from northern VA in a little town called Warrenton. I started writing music seriously and performing in local DC venues at age twelve. At age fourteen my mom committed suicide, and that was really the pinnacle of what launched my career in country music as my mom was a huge supporter of my music. At the time I had formed a band and was touring the DC metro area as local young artist, Lexi Peto (this was my maiden name). What really pushed me to be my best was the friendship that formed between my dad and stepdad, who came together to raise me and help me pursue a career in music as an adolescent. In 2015 I moved to the nashville area with my stepdad, graduated high school, and went to Belmont University to pursue a degree in songwriting/music business all with the support of my dad. In that time I performed alongside artists like John Cowan (Doobie Brothers), opened up for Jamie Lynn Spears, was recognized through awards and recognitions through organizations like NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International), and Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards for the first ever recipient of the Young Artist Award. Throughout the years I’ve released various songs and albums under my maiden name Lexi Peto, but in 2019 I had the realization that my heart wasn’t in the right place. My identity was in who I was perceived to be onstage. Because of the loss of my mom I felt unworthy of love, so I used my stage presence to build my identity. But I was unrecognizable in the mirror when I wasn’t onstage. I felt broken, and lost. It was when I discovered the love of Christ, that I finally began to see myself as a worthy, loved, and important person. I took a break from music for a few years and started working in church ministry with children. During this time I got married to my husband Jared Stark, who helped me rediscover my love of music both contemporary christian and country music. I put out a contemporary christian song called Worthy, that has been played in churches all over the globe, and loved especially by over 500 children at the church that I work at today while pursing my career in the music industry. These days I am working towards becoming a published female staff writer in the nashville community. I thoroughly enjoy working with artists in the songwriting process and helping them bring their vision to life. One of my favorite artists to write with is upcoming country star Ashley Ryan, who works alongside Larry McCoy. My mentor is non other than legendary songwriter Lance Carpenter, who is well known in the Nashville Community for his program Music Row Coach. He challenges me to be the best writer I can in and out of the writing room. All this to say- I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love of God and the love of songwriting. It is my love for craftsmanship and the Gospel that makes me who I am, whether the genre I’m writing be country, pop, or contemporary christian/worship.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The hardest part of my journey was the death of my mom to suicide. As a young woman in music, it was easy to build my identity on how other people perceived me onstage rather than who I believe I am. It has taken years of hard work in therapy, growing into loving myself, falling in love with Jesus, and writing countless songs about it to make progress towards healing from this loss.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer/songwriter. I am most known for my work in the songwriting community. Whether that be contemporary christian and worship music, or country/pop. I am willing to work with artists today to help them share their beliefs, values, and stories through song in a way that best represents them and what they believe. What sets me apart from others- is my faith. This has shaped who I believe I am- loved unconditionally. I see the value in each person I come across in the music business and work my hardest to help them bring their vision to life musically and just simply as a human being. It is so easy in a face-paced environment like the music industry in Nashville specifically to see people as a means of getting from one place of recognition to another- but the reality is that we are all meant to make an impact on every person we come across. That impact can be positive or negative- it’s your choice ultimately. But I choose to strive for the best experience possible, and that comes through loving people well. No matter where they are at or I am at in terms of a career.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned is that I am not defined by how other people perceive me or by what I do. Being a country music singer/songwriter isn’t what makes me who I am. What I’m wearing onstage or to a writer’s round or how well I sing or if I remember all the words to a song I wrote- none of that makes me who I am. What makes me who I am is who Jesus says I am- “fearfully and wonderfully made,” “made in the image of God,” “more precious than rubies.” I had to finally learn what I believe to be true about myself- and stop listening to the lies of the world, “you’re not good enough,” “you’ll never find success,” “you’re not pretty enough,” all of those things, they just distracted me from the truth of I ultimately am- loved.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lexistark.weebly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexistarkmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexistarksmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lexistarkmusic
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/9WAWX5WCmXwpHzgi8
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexistarkmusic?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Sincerely Lindsay Photography
Abby Sholar Lampton Photography
