Balancing Acts: Singing, Songwriting, and Studying
- Dec 27, 2024
- 4 min read
BY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS ON JULY 30, 2024
By Avery Copeland, Intern for University Communications
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Lindy Bryson, a junior at Gardner-Webb University who doubles as a singer-songwriter, is making a name for herself in the Christian Country music scene while authentically sharing her faith. Recently, this young musician released her first music video for her song “Save Your.”
The experience was particularly special for Bryson, because her father is featured as the main character in the narrative music video. The video was filmed in the river where she was baptized, around her rural community, and in Bryson’s home church, Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
After graduation, Bryson plans to travel and pursue her music full-time to share her love for Jesus with others. Whether performing at local venues or aiming for larger stages, Bryson’s goal remains to inspire her listeners in their own spiritual journey.
“We couldn’t be prouder or happier for Lindy,” offered Gardner-Webb President Dr. William Downs. “I heard Lindy perform back in October 2023 when she was the first person to take the stage on opening night at our brand-new amphitheater. She wowed us then, just as she has done numerous times since at campus worship services. The song ‘Save Your’ now puts Lindy’s musical talent on full display, and more importantly it underscores an important message about seizing the moment to accept God’s grace. What a wonderful inspiration this song is to the GWU community and indeed to all of us.”
Born in Boiling Springs, Bryson developed a love for music early in life. Her family’s support for her passion, including funding her voice lessons and traveling to every performance, has helped her musical career reach new heights today.
Bryson began singing in church at 3 years old and learned to play guitar when she was 12. Today, her musical style is inspired by other singers, including Dolly Parton, Zach Williams, and Ben Fuller. At 13 years old, she attended a Kari Jobe meet-and-greet, where she got to ask what led her to become a worship leader. Jobe responded, “I just wanted to help people love on Jesus.” At that moment, Bryson realized she was being called to pursue music and has embodied Jobe’s mentality ever since. “When pursuing music becomes overwhelming, I just remind myself that I do this not to reach for fame but to share the love of Jesus,” she added.
Despite her early love for music, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that she discovered her passion for songwriting. Coping with the loss of her voice teacher and mentor and her grandfather’s hospitalization due to the virus, Bryson turned to songwriting. “I started pouring my feelings into songs. It was my way of worshiping and connecting with God,” she explained.
Bryson feels she was called to lead worship and to write songs focused on Christian life, believing both are essential to her faith and how she can connect with others on their spiritual journey. “I have always said whether I am singing at a little country church or on the Grand Ole Opry stage, that I will be singing the name of Jesus,” she shared.
Bryson grew up just down the street from Gardner-Webb, where her mother is an alumna and her grandfather, Jerry Bryson, coached baseball for nearly 15 years. She often sang the national anthem at the Gardner-Webb baseball games. Having spent her childhood visiting the University’s campus and with her family’s connection to the University, she confidently chose to attend Gardner-Webb, majoring in Christian studies with a minor in music.
Her studies have influenced her music and songwriting, providing her with more scriptural-based knowledge and insights into how best to minister to people. Since beginning her major, Bryson’s relationship with Christ and her musical abilities are growing stronger.
As a full-time college student, Bryson works daily to balance her studies and love of music, with a priority on developing a deeper faith. “If I prioritize that time with Jesus, then I see how much it helps with my schoolwork and songwriting,” she said. After spending the rest of her day focusing on her studies, Bryson works on her music late at night.
In 2023, Bryson’s song “Muddy Waters” won first place in the Don Gibson Singer-Songwriter Competition, where she performed in front of Gibson’s wife. Bryson wrote the song about her experience being baptized in the Broad River when she was 12 years old. “I realized being a Christian is not just about doing good and going to church every Sunday. It’s about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Being able to make that public action of faith was so special to me,” she reminisced. In the same year, she opened for Will Jones and 15-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs at the Brinkley Amphitheater.
Listeners can find Bryson’s music on various streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Pandora.
Writer Avery Copeland, of Atlanta, Ga., is a senior English major.
Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.
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