|
Jan. 20, 2010
By Chris Umscheid
NORTH LIBERTY LEADER
|
Singer and songwriter Sunny Singh works his way through a new piece following a recent Sunday worship service at the Valley Church near Swisher.
(Chris Umscheid) |
|
|
SWISHER - Sunny Singh isn't your typical 19-year-old man. He is a singer and songwriter, yet he'll tell you "I didn't ever want to sing"
He is a talented musician who taught himself to play the guitar, practicing in his room.
"I probably made an awful noise," he said.
He didn't go looking for God... God found him.
Now, he uses his music to praise God, and to encourage others to do the same.
A native of Mussoorie, India (in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains), Sunny first came to America during his fifth grade year. His mother was attending the University of Iowa (U of I) while on a sabbatical leave from teaching in India, and Sunny was allowed to come along.
He returned in 2004 and attended Iowa City West High School as a freshman. Sunny was eligible for, and took advantage of the opportunity to graduate early, doing so in November of 2007. Currently he is a business major at the U of I, but ultimately it will be God who decides if he goes into business, pursues a career as a musician, or goes into missionary work like his uncle, Ajai Prakash, the senior pastor for Valley Church.
"It's not my right to decide," he said.
Even with a Christian upbringing, Sunny's relationship with God changed profoundly when he attended a Billy Graham Crusade event in 2004.
"I just broke down, I don't know why, I can't explain it. I cried like I had never before that day. " The result was a new and deeper relationship not only with God, but with life in general.
"Everything changed," he said. "I became much stronger as a person, and relied on God much more"
His music also changed. As a child Sunny took piano lessons and played the trombone in seventh grade. Gradually he became more and more involved with the guitar, teaching himself how to play.
Soon after, he joined a church youth group. With his new outlook and newfound talents, he focused even more on the guitar and started writing his own songs. He even became a reluctant singer.
"It was a rollercoaster ride up and down," Sunny explained. "God's been guiding and teaching me" Sunny added he found himself overcoming a variety of obstacles in his life, and that was influencing his music. "God was using my struggles, and it was my struggles that caused me to grow" Sunny related his battles and conversion to David in the book of Psalms, saying "desperation leads to God"
One day, Sunny had what he described as "a random thought," deciding he should record some of his music. He found Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls and lined up a time to record three of his songs.
"It all just sort of worked out," he said noting "everything just flowed" In the end, the session went better than he had expected. Now, the EP (a CD or download with more music than a single, but not enough to be considered an LP) needed a title. Sunny prayed about it and found his answer in Psalm 30, which says in part: "joy comes in the morning" Sunny explained how this related to his experience.
"This was a morning in my life, a new season. I didn't know why or how it would play out" He pointed out his relationships and friendships had all become stronger, he'd noticed a growth in his character; and "everything had changed for the better"
"Joy Comes in the Morning" was released in February, 2009, and features three songs: "Yahweh," "Have Mercy," and "Glory to the Lord" Sunny also appears on a compilation CD entitled "Unified by Grace"
Sunny sums up his musical style as "a musical pot of soup" with multiple influences seasoned to taste. He credits Christian acoustic artists Shane and Shane, and Chris Tomlin as well as pop music star John Mayer for his style, yet says "I try to be myself. Sometimes I religiously try to avoid sounding like someone else"
At the Valley Church near Swisher, Sunny uses his music and musical talents to not only praise God but help the congregation to also. "I love not only making music, but also making others sing," he said.
As for the future, he admits he would love to have "a life in music," but quickly added he is "open to God's whims"
"God wants me at this church at this time"
Joy Comes in the Morning is available through Amazon.com or on iTunes. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/sunnysinghmusic or www.facebook.com/sunnysinghmusic.
|
|
|
