Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Stewart.
Joshua, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been singing since the age of seven and my mom threw me in the choir every since then, lol. My passion for music group at the age of 15 when I bought my first microphone and laptop and started recording myself with my friend Shane Gallien. The ability to create a sound that captivates and puts you in a world of your own is a gift directly from God himself. Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, I moved to Dallas, Texas at the age of 18 with my mom; Stacy Trail, Brother; Lincoln Stewart, and my Dad; Lincoln Trail. I had been singing in church from then until the age of 21 and then met and sang with Jonathan Traylor and One1Way, a worship band based in Dallas, Texas, and I learned that worship doesn’t have to be one specific genre or sound it’s whatever sound you believe that gives God glory. I learned a lot from him and my One1Way family sonically and spiritually in the last five years.
Has it been a smooth road?
In 2015, November 2nd, my father passed away from a heart attack, I remember my mom running in the room waking me up first and then, my brother telling us that your dad isn’t responding. I remember rushing in the room and lifting my dad off the bed and trying to resuscitate as the 911 operator coached me through it. I remember talking to a God in between chest compressions and in between breaths. I remember sitting in the hospital and hearing the doctor say that my dad has passed and that we can say our last goodbyes. At that moment, I promised my dad that I would never stop singing him that I would never stop worshiping God. Even though I said that and meant it I did stop for four months.
One day in January, I decided to sit by myself and play my guitar for the first time in months. The fireplace was late the night before but they were embers left. I remember singing for about 15 minutes and worshiping God, I then took a small notice that fireplace ignited. My beautiful wife Kourtni Stewart, which was my fiancée at the time, came over to cook me some lunch. I told her while you cook I am going to play my guitar and worship a little bit. She said, “Oh that’s great you’re playing again,” I said yes but taking it slow. So, I begin to play in worship, alongside the fireplace that had already gone out and settled down into embers again. After about 10 minutes my wife says, “Hey babe before we leave, let’s make sure we put the fireplace out”. I then say to her, “Wait, stop cooking, every time I start worshiping God this fireplace ignites and every time I stop it stops.” God then revealed to me that if I stop worshiping and singing and I stop the fire from igniting within myself, in a place I don’t know, and in the person that I don’t know. Now I know that my music and voice alone won’t get people into heaven but I do realize now that It will play a major part in peoples walk with Christ.
Fast forward to 2019, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel to different states and sing, as a full time Christian Artist, at church’s convention center, Christian schools; etc, and It’s been the most amazing experience. I am now one of the main worship leaders at DFW New Beginnings Church in Bedford, Texas with Pastor Larry and Tiz Huch leading us. I get the amazing opportunity to sing and write with my brother, the head worship leader, Brandin Reed, who is a great friend, mentor, and a dope artist. I also am the youth worship leader alongside my brother Pastor Jordi Montoya, who is an amazing producer. The funny thing is that God had me realize the importance of that fireplace igniting in the name of the youth worship department of my church is called Ignite. During that time of deep depression and feeling like it was my fault that I didn’t bring my dad back and feeling like I was worthless, I now understand the importance of dealing with depression and how detrimental it is to have something to grab on to in those moments.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cosmic Worship story. Tell us more about the business.
As far as my music, late summer early fall 2019, you can expect an album from me. It will assist people with not only how to deal with depression, but also display how God can pull them out of it. I just want to show people that it’s ok to be sad sometimes and it’s ok to be depressed sometimes, but it’s not ok to live there. I’ll be donating a percentage of the revenue to foundations that stand against depression. I will also donate a percentage of the revenue to Sickle Cell Awareness groups such as Sicklecelldisease.org. My wife has Sickle Cell and I see the pain that she goes through and how much of a warrior she. If I can shed light on a cause that needs to be front and center and be any help to her and others I will. I am also starting my merch/clothing line this Fall with some amazing high-end, yet affordable gear. I love how Supreme, Louis Vuitton, and anything Kanye creates basically sets the bar for what street fashion is. I want to be that Christian artist that Has not only T-shirts but pieces that compete with those guys but for a much affordable price.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In regards to music, streaming services are the dominant factor in getting your music out there. Creating actual CDs still works pretty well at shows, but as far as in the future, I advised artists to study things such as Apple music and Spotify and truly understand the algorithms in order to get your music to the people and not get left behind. As far as fashion, it’s an ever-changing circle if you always know what’s trending, you’ll never get left behind.
Contact Info:
- Email: Cosmicworship@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosmicworship
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/joshua.stewart.5492?__nodl
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