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| Crystal Forrest Interview By: Andrenee Boothe aboothe@believersreport.com |
Crystal Forrest a Bronx native, singer and song writer, shares how God unexpectedly turned her life around. She also shares how important it is to remain in a humble posture when called to ministry.
B.R.: At what age did you discover that you had the gift to sing?
C.F.: I remember myself singing at an early age. I think I was about 8 or 9 when I actually liked how I sounded.
B.R.: Who were some of your musical influences as a child?
C.F.: I can remember when my dad brought home a mix tape, I was about 7, this tape had an amazing lineup and it introduced me to many of my musical heroes, people like Thomas Whitfield, the Clark Sisters, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and Shirley Caesar were on that record, in addition to them as a kid I was a big Kirk Franklin and the Family fan. His first album revolutionized how I viewed Gospel music. Darryl Coley, Bob Marley, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige, and Brandy, the list is so extensive I can actually take up most of the interview by referring to my early musical influences.
B.R.: You seem to be quite the popular artist; I see your name on so many flyers to minister all over the tri-state area. Do you feel like this all happened overnight? How do you deal with the hectic scheduling and this sense of fame?
C.F.: I feel like this whole thing has happened rather quickly, but the reality is that I’ve been singing for a long time. As far as the “hectic scheduling and sense of fame” I’m prayerful and thoughtful of what I do and where I go and even how I perceive myself. As I get older I realize that life needs balance, so I try my best to adhere to certain principles when it comes to scheduling, plus I have a great team that handles the schedule and together we go over ministry dates. As for fame, I think fame is relative because I don’t feel it. I’m just “Cryssy”.
B.R.: What pushed your ministry to the public stage?
C.F.: If you’re looking for an event or a breakout story, I don’t really have one. The long and short of the answer is not “What pushed the ministry” but “Who”. God is the reason for the exposure and the favor the ministry is receiving. I can’t answer this question and try to make it brief because, there are so many components that went into making the ministry public, but the all of the components point back to God and I can say with an appreciative heart that I was never alone during the process. God used my mother who always supports my endeavors and He allowed me to meet an exceptional group of people including songwriter Catherine Thompson, and I have an amazing friend and manager, Jonathan Manning. His friendship has been a blessing through the years, he believed in me as a singer before any of this and I’m grateful for his support. These people helped me in so many ways to realize potential that God gave me.
B.R.: You were also featured on TBN, describe that experience?
C.F.: I write this with a huge smile on my face. TBN was an experience! I don’t have the words to explain it entirely but what I can say is that, I’ll never forget it. I woke up that morning with the weight of it, I felt the pressure that comes when making a major move, but I prayed and God was with me. That day I got a really encouraging text from Jovita Sheppard and between the support coming via text and kind words that day started really well. When I got to the studios my fears subsided and my team and I went to work. TBN was a blessing on so many levels, especially on a faith level; it showed me the much that God can do with my little. Here I am an unknown girl from the Bronx with a guitar on TBN, as my mom would say, “Who could it be but Jesus?”
B.R.: Now, if anyone is a true fan of Crystal Forrest, you know she never comes to a performance without her guitar... When did you start playing?
C.F.: I started playing in 2009.
B.R.: Many call you the "India Arie" of gospel music, how does it feel to be compared with such a great artist?
C.F.: It’s fascinating to me! I remember listening to her music as a young girl thinking that it was great so hearing the comparison is always nice.
B.R.: You have written and produced most, if not all of your songs, is there an album brewing up in the near future? Your fans are anxious to know...
C.F.: God willing there is an album coming sooner rather than later so be on the lookout.
B.R.: "The Master Doesn't Make Mistakes" is one of my favorite songs from you, what inspired you to pen this song?
C.F.: This song came from a peculiar place actually, because when I wrote it I was feeling the very opposite. I felt that my life was defined by a series of mishaps and that I was basically going nowhere fast, but oddly in the middle of all I was facing, God had delivered the song to me, and it was amazing. I wrote it rather quickly and that song would from then to now draw me closer to God because the more I sang it the more I believed it. The song with the exception of the third verse is my story. It wasn’t something I was writing so people would like it, it was a gift from God to get me out of a bad situation, and the gift did its work.
B.R.: What does Crystal Forrest do during her down time, when she isn't sharing her gift with the world?
C.F.: I don’t really have much time these days, between ministry, school, an internship and my job. But when I can find the time, I’m usually writing, researching or practicing, the truth is I’m kind of low-key.
B.R.: What advice would you give to anyone hoping to follow this path in ministry?
C.F.: I would tell anyone who is interested in ministry to go to God about it in prayer. Secondly, I would tell that person, that ministry much like marriage, is a sacred institution not be entered into lightly. I’m not married, but I know that marriage and ministry require sacrifice. A minister’s life is filled with continual sacrifice and, if you’re not ready to let go of who you are, then it will be incredibly hard to minster. The word ministry is defined as “the act of serving,” so when embarking upon ministry you should hold fast to the fact that you’re a servant doing work for God. Lastly, I would encourage anyone looking to go into ministry to check their motives and to be genuine. God and people can tell if you’re being pretentious and no one will receive ministry from you if they believe you’re lying to them.
B.R.: What would you like to be written next to your name in future history books for the generations to come?
C.F.: “She did her work”
Email: cforrestmusic@gmail.com
Facebook Info: www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Forrest-Music/150703484991580
General Manager & Booking Contact: Jonathan Manning (347) 743-1694
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