We’re looking forward to introducing you to Julie Ann Weiler. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Julie Ann, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to share the most vulnerable part of my songwriting which are what I call my prayer songs, my conversations with God when I’ve needed Him most. Circumstances surrounding my music journey pretty much pushed me into this direction to where it’s now become something I can’t not do. It’s definitely a calling on my spirit and I’m honored to be able to be in the right heart space to share these songs soon. I’m hoping they can touch some hearts the way they’ve touched mine and brought me peace during turbulent times.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Julie Ann Weiler, a singer-songwriter with a passion for writing songs that make me feel something whether it’s healing or heartbreak or answers from God to my soul’s deepest questions. The longer I live, the more I see of this world we all stumble through, the more I need to feel that true depth that music can convey. I am not just a songwriter though. I’m a daughter of musical missionary parents, a wife to the strongest and kindest man I know, a mom to 3 amazing daughters who are the delight of my life. I’m also a small business owner alongside my husband and our incredible team as we take care of our truly wonderful clients bringing their special events goals to life. Music is a passion project that gives the artist side of my heart somewhere to fly.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom always saw me clearly before I could see myself. She would constantly fan the flames of my songwriting by genuinely being interested in hearing what I’d written, asking me to sing whatever the newest songs were and thoroughly listening and feeling each note and lyric before giving her honest feedback and praise. From the time I was tiny, she would tell me I had a gift that I needed to share with the world and as a child and teenager, she’d be the driving force making me sing for everyone and anyone around. I missed that when I moved away from home and had to force myself to put myself out there and be my own cheerleader which really doesn’t come naturally for me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
So many times. I actually did give up my pursuit of a music career in my young adult years. I listened too intently to the negative feedback that a producer I admired was giving to me in front of other artists whom I admired, and I took each searing word to heart far more deeply than I should have and let it tell me that I wasn’t good enough. I know now that no one on the outside of your own heart and soul has the right to tell you to stop sharing your gift or following your calling, that is up to each of us individually, but it was a huge life lesson for me to stop focusing so much on what other people think or asking for their permission. I had to fight long and hard to get to the point where I could silence the noise and give myself permission to try again and I’m so glad I did.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I want to put out music that truly touches other human hearts and helps others in some way, it’s why I pushed myself to get over my insecurities and expose the vulnerable side of my writing. This type of music isn’t the most commercial, so I expect the journey to take time and I’m becoming more and more okay with that as I realize what I’m being called to. I have a heart for reaching others at times in their lives where they may be questioning their own self-worth or reason for being here. Shining a light on their own unique beauty and helping to remind them of how special they are to this world would bring me so much joy, if I could play a small part in encouraging other hearts in that way, that would be worth it all.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes. This has happened a few times in my life – once with a previous career where I climbed the ladder of a company all the way to the top after years of sacrifice and when I looked around, I realized I didn’t want what was there at all, and I quit. It was the best thing I could have done because it freed me up to ask myself what I really wanted, and the doors for a happier existence just opened wide. More recently, on this music journey, with my passion to make this commitment to my art really work, I listened to the wrong industry professionals and got caught up with doing what they thought I should do with my music instead of listening to my heart and when I got the so called success they said I would get out of it, it didn’t make me happy and it wasn’t what I thought it would be. Listening to my own truth and what God says about me is not always the easy way but it’s the right way for me and will probably be a lifelong learning process. I’m glad I’ve learned more about myself by showing up and trying again and again even if the road sometimes comes to a dead end because there is always new growth on the other side and a clearer vantage point if we keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://julieannweiler.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieannweilermusic/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieAnnWeilerMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@julieannweiler
Image Credits
Tammy L Peck, Michael Pearce
