BREATHEcast.com - Happy 17th Birthday! (Sept.22)

Bethany: Thank you!

So what do you plan to do for your Birthday?

Well, I’m in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and I’ve got a show tonight…I’m just hanging out. It’s really such a fun day today though, because all the people on the road have been so sweet to me. I’ve received cards and presents and phone calls… its been a really fun day. Even though I’m not at home, it just really feels like a Birthday.

Who are the people on your website (BethanyDillon.com) that are holding up the poster that read “Happy 17th B-day Beth!”?

Some people from my label at EMI. They’re just super fun…
I woke up in the morning, and got an e-mail to check my website, and I checked it and they’ve done that.

Got any Birthday wishes?

You know what, not really. The thing I like about Birthdays is just kind of being thankful for life, and being thankful for what God has done even in the past year. For me, it’s just fun to wake up and have voice mail from my friends, that kind of thing. That’s what a Birthday is like for me. Presents are really fun, but for the most part, it’s just hearing from people.

What are some things you would like to accomplish this year?

This year- I think, man there’s just a lot of things that are coming up, and a lot of things I’m depending on God for. This year, I am looking forward to writing new songs and being on the road and walking through some doors God opened. I’m just super stoked-- you can’t really plan when Gods involved, because He is so unpredictable. I’m just so excited to see what God does.

Can you talk about what you’ve been up to lately?

Yeah. There’s a movie coming out on Oct 21, called Dreamer. The first track on my new CD- it’s called “Dreamer” as well- and it’s gonna play during the ending credits of the movie. It’s just really fun… And the Narnia movie that is coming out, I have a song on the Inspired By soundtrack…which is also really fun. I’ve loved those books for a long time, so the fact that they are making a move, is really making my life, you know…
It’s a lot of things that I really don’t deserve, and it’s just such a huge blessing.

You filmed a music video on that [“Dreamer”], right?
Yes, a couple of weeks ago, we went to LA and shot my first music video, which was really fun.
It should be releasing soon, because we just finished it. I’m really really proud of it. It looks great, the director [Brandon Dickerson] did an awesome job.

Was that your first trip ever to Hollywood?
It actually wasn’t. It was one of my first…
I went for the screening of Dreamer and to meet with people before, but yea, it’s such a unique experience. I’m from a country in Ohio so it’s a pretty fun to go to Hollywood.

Nowadays, what are your prayer topics?
I’m just praying for a broken heart. And praying so I can see things the way God does. It’s just so easy to be distracted- for me, I get distracted often.
And praying for the people I go on the road with, that God will be protecting them… and that people will be blessed when coming out this fall to watch the shows. There are a lot of things that come to my mind when you start praying, because there’s a lot of need.

Great. Now let’s talk about your second album, Imagination. How do you think you’ve grown since the recording of your first album?

I think during the past year, just traveling a lot and being around a lot of great artists stretched me as a writer and communicator. Even though I know there’s so much more to grow, even now, I think I’ve come a couple of steps forward as a writer… even feeling more comfortable singing on this record and all of that.

Is there a song in your new album that’s especially meaningful to you?

The second song on the CD, “Hallelujah,” I think that is my favorite song now.
It just kind of sums up where God has had me for a while. It talks about just having the attitude of worship when there are a lot of things that aren’t perfect, a lot of things that are fallen and broken…and realizing that God can breathe hope into those things.

When was the most fulfilling moment of your life as an artist?

I think for me, something that’s really fulfilling is just even going on the road with artists like Jeremy Camp, talking to people on the road and hearing stories about their experiences with God, even through a song. The fact that God is moving even when I am not aware of it just amazes me.

Who are some of your role models (besides Jesus)?

I think some people that have really influenced my life are my parents for sure. And my older siblings, Aaron and Kate. All of them just follow Christ so well. Just seeing how they love God and seeing how it’s worked out in ordinary days and in normal life… that’s such a huge inspiration to me. Definitely my family… I think I’ve been blessed with an awesome family.

Future plans?

Next summer, I’m going to start writing for the next record. I’m excited to see what God is going to do there. I’m excited too, because we’ve got some time carved up to be home… and I’m super-excited to be at home, reconnecting with my church and, man, just having an awesome time with my family.

Any last words?

I thank those who’ve supported and encouraged people along the road to come to the show and for those who’ve been praying for us. That just means a lot to us. I just wanna thank everyone for being so supportive!


Interviewed by Reporter Cindy