Up-and-coming artist Joseph Habedank’s musical journey began at age five when he started singing with his family, The Sandlins. Based in Nashville, Joseph knew music was his calling from that moment. When his family stopped performing during his teenage years, Joseph continued singing solo until he was 17, when he joined The Perrys, a family group. For the next 10 years, he served as their lead singer, fully committing to music ministry and the calling he believes he was placed on earth to fulfill. Joseph lives with his wife, Lindsay, whom he’s been married to for 14 years.
We had the chance to speak to Joseph about the heart of his music, the challenges of growth, and the inspiration behind his latest albums.
You’ve had a busy 2024 with two new albums released, including I’m Free: Songs That Wrote My Story and autobiography, which recently won Inspirational Album of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Tell us about these two albums and the decision to release them four months apart.
We knew this was a risk, but the two albums differ vastly. One album, autobiography, is all original material I helped write, and the other, I’m Free, are songs I grew up singing and listening to. Both albums were recorded in 2023, so we wanted to release them this year. I do think that while they are stylistically different, they do together thematically.
What scripture inspired your new music?
I listen to my Bible app while on the elliptical every day at the gym, and I’ve learned that it’s kind of my way of “hiding His word in my heart,” as the Bible says. This has been so beneficial when writing. One verse that comes to mind that helped me in writing an autobiography is 2 Corinthians 1:4: “He comforts us in all our troubles, that we may able to comfort them which are in trouble."
Who are some of your musical inspirations? Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’m a huge [contemporary artist] Steven Curtis Chapman fan; he’s the goat for singer/songwriters. He would also be the one with whom I would want to collaborate. Or [Christian music group] CAIN. Or [contemporary artist] Michael Buble. Okay, I’m done now.
American gospel singer Russ Taff has hugely influenced me in the last 10 years. He has become more like a mentor than anything else, and I’m so grateful for his influence.
What other projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on two records for 2025. (Do you see a trend here?) One is a worship album, and the other is one I am trying to keep private right now, but I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Finally, how can we be praying for you?
Like a lot of people, I have struggled with some intense anxiety this year. A lot of it is where our ministry is growing. We bought a bus this year and hired a band, which have been incredible blessings, but I am still learning to deal with all the new challenges and changes. I would appreciate prayers for wisdom, peace, and protection. The older I get, the more I pray for wisdom. Thank you so much for asking this, and I appreciate everyone’s prayers. I believe our best days are ahead.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with over 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus. [ChatGPT helped generate text for this article.]
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