A message from Brandon…
Today is a very bittersweet day for me and I have struggled greatly with the decision to share the following or not. But if I’ve learned anything at all in my short 31 years, it is that honesty pays off in unfathomable dividends.
So let’s try to make a long story short and unpack this journey as best we can. I started singing at a young age and let me be quick to thank God for my gifts, talents, and the platforms that were given to me to share the music that meant the most to me – gospel music. But as I’ve grown older, as I’ve become comfortable in my own skin, as I started living honestly as God created me to be – I have come to realize the heart breaking and once spirit crushing truth that there is no place for me, an out and unashamed gay man, within the genre of gospel music.
I remember, just over 10 years ago, the first (of many) concert that was cancelled as the rumors began to swirl about my sexuality. I was so heartbroken, incredibly nervous, painfully depressed, and so filled with shame. What would they say about me if they knew the truth? I cannot say that I did not care. Oh I cared and not only did I care – I allowed those moments of rejection to nearly rule and ruin my life!
I’m so thankful that now, I only care what God says about me and that is – no matter who I am, who I love, what I’ve done or will ever do – I am loved. I will say that again, I am loved.
I well remember the last gospel concert I performed in August of 2018. Now keep this in mind, I had been “out of the closet” for at least 8 years at the time of this concert. I had been booked by that particular church, the church had widely promoted the concert, all seemed to be well until I received a call from one of the church’s deacons. I was interrogated, unreasonably questioned, and made to feel like the dirtiest piece of trash this side of the world’s dirtiest landfill. The pastor, at that time, assured me that I was welcome and “the show would go on.” Under advisement, from folks much wiser than myself, on stage that night I donated my entire performance fee that evening straight back to the church. A gesture of gratitude for hosting me – even though there was such intense backlash and ridicule for doing so. Of course this was not an isolated incident, only the most recent – it sadly happened more often than I’m even aware of.
I cannot say that fighting for my will to live through those early times in the past solely contributed to what would become my almost 7 years of raging alcoholism and drug addiction but those times of rejection sure didn’t help. But nevertheless, in surviving, I was made stronger.
As of today, I am gratefully 1,193 days sober and clean. My spirit has been restored and renewed only through the words of affirmation and acceptance of a handful of others who realize that our one mission in this life is to love.
By now you’re probably tired of reading and wondering “why is he telling us all of this?”
After MUCH consideration, prayer, and advisement – I have made the decision that today’s album release will be my last endeavor in gospel music for the foreseeable future.
I feel like these 14 songs are a compelling punctuation to what has been a whirlwind of an experience for me. As we celebrate this release and reflect on the messages in these songs, I hope that you know – I have nothing but love in my heart for those of you who have supported me – through it all.
This by no means marks the end of my strivings in music, in fact – it’s just the beginning! We already have new and exciting music planned and poised for future release.
So get ready to hear Brandon sing the sounds of LOVE, with a little New Orleans flare, for many years to come!
Click the image below to listen to this special new album now:
“You Are Loved” album credits
- “You Are Loved”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “I’m Still Drinking”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “I’m Longing For Home”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “I See Love”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “On Your Side”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “I’m Gonna Love”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “We Are One”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “Mountain Railroad”
words and music by C. D. Tillman - “Good Enough”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “Rough Side of the Mountain”
words and music by Rev. F. C. Barnes - “If We Could Love Like He Does”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “God Is Always Good”
words and music by Brandon Andrews - “I’ll Fly Away When the Saints Go Marching In”
arrangement by Brandon Andrews
“I’ll Fly Away”
words and music by Albert Brumley
“When the Saints Go Marching In”
words and music by Unknown
The Musicians
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14
by Matthew Lawson, Hendersonville, TN
Track 8
by Josh Townsend, Murfreesboro, TN
Track 11
by Madison Easter, Los Angeles, CA
Saxophone on Tracks 9 and 14 by Cameron Black
Background Vocals
Background Vocals on Tracks 7 and 11 were produced by Jeff Collins, engineered by Scott Barnett, recorded at Crossroads Studios, Arden, NC, performed by Lauren Talley,
Amber Eppinette Saunders, and Chris Allman
Special Guest Vocals
Track 4, “I’m Longing for Home,” features guest vocalists
Jeff and Sheri Easter
The Production
Executive Producer, Brandon Andrews
Track 13 was mixed and mastered by Beau Vallis, New York City, NY
Vocals on tracks 2, 3, 4, 13, 14
recorded by Reggie Duncan, McComb, MS
Vocals on tracks 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
recorded at Brandon’s In-Home Studio, New Orleans, LA
Click here to listen to Brandon’s “You Are Loved” now!
