How It All Began

My Taylor guitar, COMPOSING

My spiritual mom, Winnie, tapped my shoulder as I described my music ministry to two church ladies at a boutique. I'll never forget that day because meeting and befriending Jeff Gorzelnik was the catalyst of my incredible journey with my Taylor Guitar. A handsome, dark-haired and pony-tailed guy waited patiently to speak with me. He gazed at the jewelry displayed in the counter as I handed my business card to the church ladies. "Anita," Mom Winnie interrupted, "Jeff here plays the guitar, "Winnie exclaimed. A guitar logo emblazoned the front of Jeff's t-shirt. "Do you have any CD's?" he asked after asking a few questions about my performing history. He followed Mom Winnie and me to my car and bought my "I'll fly High" CD on the spot. When I arrived home, Jeff had left a message. "That voice...what a voice. I've gotten to the third song and what can I say, I'm very impressed" Jeff repeated his praises. We started to hang out and became good friends. One night Jeff arrived at my apartment with his guitar and stated, " I'm leaving my guitar here for you. Play it every night and get comfortable with it." He must have sensed my frustration about being unable to keep guitarists and insisted I learn to play. I didn't even know how to hold a guitar, but he showed me a few basic chords to my unfamiliar fingers. He followed my progress and suggested that we find my own guitar. He took me to several music stores, but we lingered at Ken Sturcke's Nothing New music store in Lakehurst, NJ because he was selling his three beautiful Taylor guitars. After trying the three models, Jeff was set on a model 812 C. She has a beautiful, full-bodied rich sound and of cherry wood. Her price was way out of my reach, but Jeff insisted I bid Ken for it. Miraculously, and after much deliberation and prayer, I was able to purchase it in a month's time through several impromptu private parties, extra gigs and birthday money. A supernatural essence seemed to pervade her anytime I performed with her and my love affair bloomed. She wrapped around my voice like a glove when I practiced outdoors and the birds and squirrels came to sit where I was. A few times while practicing by a lake, schools of fish pooled and lingered to where I was singing, seemingly mesmerized by the spell cast by the Taylor. It was amazing! The miracle continues as I grow as a songwriter. After only a few months, I bought a jazz chord book and composed songs with the unconventional chords I'd learned. What magic when melodic riffs and chords melded to form songs. God brought a dimension of healing to my spirit as He was using my guitar as a vehicle to share His heart and feelings toward His creation and me. That emptiness and alienation was being filled in many ways. It was a conduit for me to express my gratitude to Him and a way to speak to people about God, life, and love.

THE GIGS & VENUES

Performing, both in the studio and live at venues has been a joy. Though I'd showcased at Manhattan's Bitter End and Kenny's Castaways, as well as Bruce Springsteenville's "Stone Pony" and The Saint, throwing venue names around has no significance on my music career or my passion for ministry. I can truly say that my best gigs were at Northern State Prison where I preached to an audience of inmates who opened the service with a-cappella hymns. Their singing touched my soul as the Spirit's anointing was powerful and God's presence was electrifyingly unforgettable. I've also sung and prayed a few terminally ill patients into glory at hospitals and nursing homes. I know God was smiling at me as I held my hymnbook and kissed a forehead beaded with fearful sweat. I've been blessed by people from all walks of life. and they are the inspiration for much of my music. Difficult experiences and relationships became rich fodder for compelling songs I write. My prayer however, is always that someone will be inspired, encouraged, healed, delivered from their demons and compelled to a place of joy and transformation. Unusually, I often straddle both secular and religious/worship arenas. Jesus did the same. He had an "out of the box" mentality and His ministry was very non-conformist. He hated protocol and being overly-pious. He turned the world upside down with His passion for us and His Father's cause-reconciliation. I've found that my best and most memorable experiences were at certain restaurants where I people approached me knowing I was a Christian! I also developed a close bond with a chef and owner, Lisa Tevis of the Oakland House. This lady was an outstanding example of kindness, class and success. She was very aware and supportive of my spirituality and I was blessed to have had the opportunity to grow as a budding jazz musician. After the din and excitement of a successful gig, my praise and focus are directed to Him. It's not all about me or my talents as a singer/performer and songwriter. It's all about an all-sovereign and creative God who lovingly distributes wonderful gifts to His faithful and humble people. We are only His empty vessels. We express His beauty, grace and compassion to a dark, cold and vengeful world.

Copyright © 2006 Anita Ferrer. All rights reserved.

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