print: Dana Mackey | Interview | August 2006 on BlackGospel.com, Your Music Ministry Source!

Interview with Dana Mackey
August 2006, BlackGospel.com by Christopher Heron

An artist, if used as a vessel, is capable of transforming countless souls, from former sinners to saved and sanctified saints. Beyond the eloquent flow of lyrics and the catchy hooks of chords and beats, beyond the animated gestures and incredible vocal feats of an artist lies the Spirit of God awaiting its opportunity to change lives, kill addictions, liberate minds and empower souls.

Dana Mackey understood this biblical principle from an early age and has lived by this golden rule all her life. Whether it’s been in the role of a powerful music minister, an awesome worship leader or a humble psalmist, Dana has assumed a meek and modest role, allowing the Spirit of God to shine bright, as souls are moved and motivated towards the Creator.

Her latest album – With Praises From The Heart – is further evidence of her love and loyalty towards her Lord. And our conversation with Dana Mackey confirmed our first impression of this witness for the Kingdom…that she’s fiercely committed to being no more than an instrument and vessel that brings honor and glory to God.

Christopher Heron: The title of any album reveals a lot about an artist and the theme of his or her album. What was the inspiration to entitle your album, With Praises from The Heart?

Dana Mackey: It’s truly that each song included in the album was written from my heart to God, as an expression of my feelings towards Him at a particular time and place that the song was poured into my spirit. The title “With Praises From The Heart” summarizes them all.

We have to always remember that no matter where we are, what we’re going through, God is there right beside us even if we don’t feel that He’s there. From the heart, God’s unfailing love towards us lasts forever. Therefore, my love for Him is a covenant in which I will continue to give Him all Praise and Honor forever more, because He’s so worthy.

CH: You’re a vocalist who strongly believes and practices the act of worship in song, whether it’s in the capacity of a Worship Leader or as a recording artist. Tell us why worship is so essential to your life and music?

DM: I am a worshipper. Worship is a part of my daily walk with God. It comes quite natural that it is a part of my life in which giving honor to God and wanting more of Him is essential to my being. Worship in song is where I pour out my heart to God in showing Him just how much I love Him, whether in front of a church congregation or just one on one.

CH: Could you share with us how your love and gift for singing was cultivated over the years, growing up in Tampa Bay, Florida?

DM: I was raised in a Christian home in which my late grandfather (Reverend Alto Waters) and late grandmother (Mother Ollie Lee Waters) were God fearing and dedicated Christians who taught me Christian values. On the other hand, my mother (Renee Jordan) was a single parent who taught me the values of being responsible and independent. Growing up as an only child, without a father, I was always shy and quiet. At a young age, my grandmother would always encourage me to do something musically, so she bought me my first guitar and piano when I was 4 years old. At age 5, I began taking concert piano lessons and singing (shyly in the background) in the youth choir at my late grandmother’s church. At age 15, I began to have a passion for the worshipful sound of the Hammond B-3 organ and began playing for the church and choirs.

At age 19, I began playing for various churches in the Tampa Bay Area (Peace Progressive MB Church and later St. John Progressive MB Church) and began to have a passion for writing music; however, I didn’t sing much openly during church services. I just loved to express my worship to God through my playing. Church members and friends would always request for me to lead songs with the choirs; however, I found myself very comfortable with just playing the organ and being in the background. I always loved singing but was afraid to express myself openly as a singer in front of others, until the last few years after I had a life changing experience in which my life has never been the same.

CH: And who are some of the music ministers and artists you’ve loved, appreciated and found inspiration from?

DM: Over the past few years, I have appreciated those artists such as Dr. Juanita Bynum Weeks and Martha Munizzi in which I have truly been inspired by their heart for worship. Through the depths of their worship in song, God’s has given them a special anointing to minister through the Holy Spirit in touching lives in a special way, such as they have touched my life through their CD albums.

CH: The album – With Praises From The heart – is your first release. Could you share with us a little about the songs that went into the album?

DM: The songs are all Praise & Worship style songs, each with a different flavor or style. Just to name a few, the very first track, “With Praises” was the first song written. Even in its simplicity, there is an up beat tempo message of my desire to lift Him up with praises. The track “Only You” is a worshipful style song which in the four lines of the chorus, God revealed my whole life and showed me my purpose that He had predestined for me. From that unveiling, it was the beginning of where God was about to take me in a new and full understanding of worship. And I thank God for the revelation that he restored my soul and “created me to worship thee,” which are my favorite words from the song.

CH: How was your experience in producing this album?

DM: The experience was life transforming for me in that it was totally inspired by God. Now I know that God will sometimes allow circumstances to happen in your life in which you feel isolated from others in order for you to hear from Him. In those intimate moments, God would minister to my spirit different melodies in which I would be able to express myself to Him openly - just knowing that God was only fulfilling His purpose for me as a worshipper in putting together a collection of songs of expression of my love towards Him.

CH: And how did your relationship with producer and arranger, Ernest Collins, Jr., assist you in delivering the message you wanted listeners to hear?

DM: Ernest Collins, Jr., is an awesome musician, gospel artist and producer who has a special way in taking a song to the next level. Working with him was an awesome experience. I appreciate his patience and time in allowing God to use him to add his musical gifts in bringing each song to the next level of giving God perfect praise.

CH: As a Christian dedicates his or herself talents towards godly affairs, the Lord in time begins to reveal and anoint special gifts for a higher calling. When did you begin to appreciate and invest your gift for singing towards ministry?

DM: About five years ago, I attended a Women’s Conference in Oklahoma. I was really going through a tough time in my life and was basically using the trip as a get away for a while from all of my problems. I was running away from my troubles; but never knew I was really running to something great. My experience at the Conference was life changing in which I first experienced the depths of Praise & Worship. After that, I began to have such a hunger and longing for God in His awesomeness, that Praise & Worship became a part of my everyday life as my relationship with God became closer. I began to play the organ differently, but everyone at church noticed such a different level of God’s anointing as I began to sing openly for the first time. I saw myself manifesting such a boldness for the Lord. The shy side became humble, yet even in the midst of fear, a holy boldness came forth in which I knew only God was in control.

CH: And how faithful has God been in opening up opportunities for you to witness to others, whether through this new album or as a performer?

DM: Because of God’s faithfulness, many doors have opened to witness to others. I have been able to go forth and minister to those who needed that special message found in the lyrics of the songs or through the testimonies of my personal experiences.

CH: Finally Dana, who is this CD – With Praises From The Heart – designed to reach?

DM: Whether you’re in the mood for an up tempo style Praise & Worship song or a slow worshipful style song, the CD contains various tracks to set the tone. Many people describe the various tracks as being uplifting in which they use the CD as traveling music in their vehicles, as daily exercise music, or in those intimate times of worship. The CD is designed to reach the true Praise & Worshippers of all age groups, ethnic groups, etc., as the word says in John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth”.

CH: And what is the special message you want the listener to come away with once the last track is played?

DM: Even though, the CD contains various musical styles, the message is still clear. My favorite scripture sums it all up, ”I will praise you Oh Lord, with all my heart”, Psalm 138:1.

For more information on this anointed psalmist, visit the official website for Dana Mackey at www.danamackey.com. To contact Dana Mackey for speaking or singing engagements and workshops, email her at mackeydana@aol.com or call Carlton Burgess at the toll free number 1-888-988-0777.