Rising Stars: Meet Justin Love

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Love.

Hi Justin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So, I grew up in the church. Son of a youth pastor to be exact, and so my sisters and I (mainly my older sister Crystal), we would sing to a bunch of Christian songs from the early days of Hillsong worship and such. This started when we were about 5 years old. We also had to quote Bible verses as kids in order to get our allowance and so, I started getting really good at that and it started fueling my memory skills at such an early age. My dad bought me my first guitar when I was, I think 9, but I hardly ever touched it.

He ended up getting me a drum set and that’s when I fell in love with beats and started writing songs in my head, only issue was I didn’t know anything else so, I had all these melodies in my head and couldn’t play anything to get them out beside my drums. I then went back to the guitar and the first few chords he showed me and I guess that’s what really sparked the musical journey! Wrote my first song around 11 years old which was awful but my second one was a bit more intense and pleasing to people where I got asked to play it for a few weddings. I kept playing music all throughout my middle school and high school years and after I graduated, I went to McLennan Community College for my AAS.

My major was in Commercial Music Performance and that’s when I learned all about my ear for music, as well as sight-singing and training in music theory. After I graduated, I asked my professors if I should continue on to a 4-year program at a university and they gave me the best answer I could ever ask for. They told me not to waste any more time on education and move to Nashville so, I did just that.

Now Mind you, I was still doing mostly Christian music ’cause I was considered a Christian artist. But then a few months went by and I met a sugar baby (not knowing what that was at the time lol) and after that, I went into country music and, eight years later I’m still at it in town. Haha.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh gosh, not even close. I would say the toughest struggles I faced with being an artist as well as who I am as a person and my beliefs, was when I met the sugar baby. Fun fact, I still had my promise ring on when I met her haha. Thank God for forgiveness right?

But yeah, it was that situation that not only broke me emotionally and physically but also spiritually where, I was questioning my faith, my family, and my friends. It was something dark and I’m thankful I came back out of it and found the light again!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I am a music artist who mostly does country music. I get told all the time I sound a good bit like a blend of Rascall Flatts, Keith Urban, and Hunter Hayes. I’d say that’s not too bad a combination ay? Oh, I’m also a very outgoing person and I love meeting new people and hearing their stories!

I can talk that’s obvious but, I love listening. That’s my favorite part of the conversation and, I guess that’s what I’m proud of the most. People can call me to encourage them. I hope and pray they know I’m doing my best to continue being who I am and as real as I am on stage and off the stage.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Uh… um… I love saying Daggum as well as Donkey Muffin Chicken Onion randomly every day? Lol.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinlovemusic.com

Image Credits
Heather Carpenter of Artisan Imagery Nashville!