Julie Fuller

Okay guys, yes I am going to write my own thoughts here. Being Christian and Southern is a big part of my makeup so we tend to "chase rabbits" a bit. So be patient.

From the time I was little and in diapers, music has always had the power to move me. Then... I would dance, so my mother says, until my diaper would fall off and my relatives would laugh and clap. Now... I usually demonstrate my love of music in a different way.... through the playing of my guitar. The Lord had a purpose for me when He created me. And that purpose was totally wrapped in my love of music. I can remember begging my mother for piano lessons when I was just a little girl but we didnt have the money for the lessons. So....I would sing, usually on the top of my brothers toy box at the top of my lungs. Church going was almost non existent or sporadic back then. But Gods hand was on me from the get go..which is a whole nother story, with testimony thrown in.

Back to the music. Dad brought an old guitar home when I was about 10 yrs old. I saw it and was mesmerized by it. He taught me two chords and I was hooked..but then he sold it. I didnt end up getting another until I was in high school. The strings were so far off the fret board that it tore my fingers up. I learned a few more chords but it wasnt real condusive to learning. I got another guitar in college, saw it in a music store window, cheap, with broken bridge. I learned a little on that one too. It wasnt until I got married and had my second child that I got one that was worth playing. My husband got me a super shallow back ovation.....and it was good.... for me... but not for him. He would leave for work in the morning and I would be playing my guitar...he would come home and I would still be in my pajamas playing the guitar.... with the house falling down around me and the kids running around like wild banshees. But I learned..to the point where I was asked to start playing/singing in a bar with some guys. My husband vetoed that idea. :)

By this time... we were in church, and I ended up rededicating my life to Christ. My husband wanted me to use my guitar skills for God...and I thought well God you are going to have to take away my love for secular music and give me a love for Christian music. At about that time the contemporary christian music scene was making its mark. I started listening to this new music and found that I liked it.... and gradually stopped listening to secular so much. So He did answer my prayers. I started learning some of the praise and worship songs, and some of the hymns too, but was too petrified to play in church. I made my husband get a bass so he could learn and accompany me. I felt the Lord leading me to play but just couldnt summon up the nerve to do it. Finally one Sunday I got the courage and played. I can remember my knees knocking together and I thought I had some kind of stomach disorder but I got through it. Eventually our pastor asked us to accompany the piano player. And thats basically where it all started.

I now lead worship at my home church, New Harvest Church, in Henderson, Kentucky. I do songwriting, and play in local Christian coffeehouses on the side. Through it all, I have felt the presence of the Lord continually beside me and can say it has been a most awesome journey!