Daily Inspiration: Meet Brian Elder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Elder

Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent a lot of my younger years playing music and chasing that dream. I eventually got burned out and had no desire to chase music or play it anymore. Around 2012, I went into the film business as an actor and ended up writing and directing some short films and a series. I did that for a few years and then in 2019 I found myself battling depression and anxiety. Through that I started seeking God and asking Him to give me purpose. I felt like He led me back to my guitar. For the next two years I started writing music and sharing what I was going through in songs. During that time I had no idea what He was preparing me for. I started to enjoy playing and writing music again. At that time I was working from home as a call center employee. In early 2022 God led me to quit my job and drive from Texas to Virginia to take on a six month contract as an entertainer at a theme park playing music in a couple shows for that spring and summer season. I was obedient and two weeks later, I was on the road to Virginia. During the six month contract, I really started to try to get my music out there that I had been writing for the last two years. I was eventually able to play my music on a stage at that theme park for one day. Once my contract ended, God led me to Florida to play prison ministry for two weeks with a non-profit that had asked me to come out with them. I started playing churches and even met my wife through the first church I ever played and shared my testimonies at. Since then, I became a worship leader at a local church for a year, I left there and am now playing different churches again sharing my testimonies and music, I have been on three different prison ministry tours, played festivals, fairs, and other types of events that I get asked to play and share at. I will be in Franklin, TN on December 14, 2024 playing at A Dickens Of A Christmas festival on the acoustic stage which is located at 2nd and Main. My set is from 3:30pm-4:15pm.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say that is has always been a smooth road. There are times that are easier than others. But there are times when the road is bumpy and you feel like it’s going to take years for the construction to be done. Kind of like some of our highways. Haha. There are times when I still battle depression and anxiety. There are also moments that I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do next, or what God is doing in my life during certain seasons. There are financial struggles at times, and other things that can cause turmoil. John 16:33 says that we WILL have trouble in this world. It doesn’t say we might or we could. It says that we WILL. But there’s also a promise in that same verse that says, in Jesus we may have peace and that He has overcome the world. A lot of times I get busy and don’t stop to remember the promises that God gives us in His Word, as well as taking the time to spend with Him. And for me, I know that I struggle more during those times that I don’t put God first in my life. I can get selfish, and looking out for my own interests instead of putting others above myself. Keeping God first helps a lot. But it doesn’t mean that everything is going to be smooth sailing all the time. Remember, we WILL have trouble in this world. But it can help by giving us peace knowing that Jesus is with us even when we do travel on those bumpy roads.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Christian artist and a songwriter. I play events such as churches, festivals, fairs, concerts, prison ministry and other various events. I share my music and testimonies about the things that God has done in my life. I also share how He has led me in different ways from leaving my job and driving across the country for another job that was only for six months, how He led me to meeting my wife, to her and I have a baby when we weren’t sure if we were able to have kids, and so many other ways God has been faithful and shown up in my life. What am I most proud of? I don’t know what I am most proud of, but there are so many things that I am grateful for. I am so grateful that God led me to my wife and gave us a beautiful baby girl. I am grateful that God has allowed me to do what I enjoy doing and to use it for His glory. What sets me apart from others? I don’t really know that there is any one thing that sets me apart from other artists other than my specific walk in life. We all have our own stories and are all individually made different from each other.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t listen to what others tell you to do. Don’t let other discourage you from what your calling is. There will be a lot of critics out there, but you don’t have to listen to them all. Always remember those around you, and help them as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brianeldermusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianeldermusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianeldermusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brianeldermusic
• Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/brianeldermusic
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3rroQdDnb4rJwR5A6wFCuy