Michael John Stanley

As a career musician in an ever-increasing, competitive field, it is always been recommended ,by the industry, that you list your accomplishments on your bio page in order to impress people, to gain their respect and therefore open the door for more opportunities. You have to create the hype, they say…You know, how many thousands of albums sold, how many tour dates you’ve booked, how many big names you’ve played with, how many magazine covers, how many myspace hits and awards and on and on it goes…and…well…given the recent events in my life, I am changing my view on this and ,win or lose, going a different route. The following is simply one chance among a million other things you could be doing right now for me to share my heart with you first, and my accomplishments second.
In 1996 I wrote my first mission statement… “…On a mission to reach the world for Jesus Christ, by using God’s word, along with music as a tool to open people’s hearts and minds to the Gospel.” Through all my different bands and even into my new solo career I have found that my original mission is really where my heart is. I remember just after the Los Angeles riots happened in the early 90’s going to a Christian concert night at “Knott’s Berry Farm” in Buena Park, CA and watching my uncle Mike (lead singer of the pioneer Christian rock band “The Altar Boys”) perform his usual rock set. The stage was set (at the Wagon Camp) in a way that the audience was facing west and since Los Angeles was also west of Buena Park made for an incredible life changing scene as the sun set on that spring evening. It was only a couple days after the riots and most of the south central part of the city was still smoldering pretty heavy from the fires creating a huge plume of smoke that went thousands of feet into the air. As the band broke into their song “World Burning” (one of my favorites) I could not help but be moved. “I can see the worries of the world burning, burning in a fire that will never end…” I was so captivated that I actually began to drool a little which reminded me to swallow my own spit! I knew from that point on that combining the power of music with the power and truth of the word of God is a world changing formula.
To date, I have never performed in front of such an incredible backdrop, or toured the world, or played for thousandsof people night after night. I have not sold millions of records, or had a hit song on national radio, or been on MTV. I have never officially signed a major recording contract, or been on the cover of any magazine. In the world's eyes I guess my music career has been a flop! But in the eyes of my wife and daughter and those who I have touched through the years, well, I am sure they would say the opposite. So what else can I say, except, I wish that I always had this perspective. Unfortunately, much like King David, I was dragged into it kicking and screaming the entire way. I thought for a long time that my destiny was to be a big Christian Rock Star! (Kind of an oxymoron) and that God’s blessing on my career was just around corner…but the corner never came…and one day I found myself very alone. My solo career was proving to see moderate success (compared to the band years) and I was touring around the country living it up and fulfilling my destiny and my every dream. Meanwhile my wife and daughter who had suffered through years of my roller coaster of emotions and financial instability finally had had enough and moved out. I, of course, instantly took the selfish route and wrote it off as un-supportive, not understanding and a sign of how un-compatible we have always been. I figured divorce was the answer to my freedom! And there I was, on my island, alone. At first I felt free, but very quickly the isolation began to break me. All I wanted was my life back. Nothing seemed to fill their void. I desperately longed for our family to be together again and I missed the peace I had when I struggled to be the husband and father Christ called me to be. From that day forward, I decided to do whatever it took to get my family back and respectfully restore my position as the head of my household.
After coming so close to losing everything that’s truly important, I have found myself humbled and in debt to my creator even more than ever. God’s firm grip on my life never ceased. Even when I was so hurt, and screamed at Him to let me go, He never wavered, He never tired, He never stopped loving me. He brought me back firmly and yet gentle all at the same time and gave me a completely revolutionized perspective. One that gives me peace in knowing that He is in control.
So my accomplishments are as follows: I have been married to one woman, Mary, for 13 years. We have a six year old little girl named Michaela and I daily work towards being the Christ-like husband and Father that they need me to be. I am a career musician both passionate and accomplished in song writing, performance, worship and relating to audiences of all ages through my experiences as a Christian man.
The End.
Random MJS Favorites
Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Movie: Forest Gump
Band: Audio Slave
Food: Salmon