Brad Alden Opens Up About His Conversion, His Love for Worship & His New Music

Brad Alden, worship leader at Coastline Community Church in Indian Harbour Beach Florida, has recently released his latest single "Awake the Soul In Me." The song debuted on iTunes Christian Singles Chart in the top 50!

The official music video features John Wilds (Bethel music & Calvary Christian center worship leader) and singer/songwriter/worship leader Noel Robinson (Integrity music UK songwriter, & Artist). It's a powerful anthem about re-igniting the fire within you for God, whether you have never heard of Jesus but are wanting more for your life, to the Believer who may feel stale and stagnant- this song reminds us of God's faithfulness and his love.

Q: Brad, thanks for doing this interview with us. Prior to knowing Christ, I believe you were involved in the party scene until you 'hit rock bottom'. Tell us more about this turning point in your life. 

Ya, I lived in Hollywood at one point and was lost in the world of alcohol, drugs, and womanizing. But, the real big turning point for me came after a really painful divorce involving 2 young children, infidelity, legal battles, financial destitution, and losing my family. That was my ultimate rock bottom, that eventually led me to Christ, and the heart of worship.

Q: What happened after that? How did all of that lead you to Christian music?

I was the youngest child in between two divorced families. My mom had been married and had 2 boys. My dad had been married and had two boys, and a girl. My parents had an affair that broke up both of those families, and created me. I grew up in the middle of two dysfunctional families., an alcoholic father, and drug addicted older siblings as role models. Music was my refuge from the age of 13 I started playing bass, and guitar, and singing. Mostly Rock music.

One, of my older half brothers on my moms side became a born again Christian at some point. When my life bottomed out he said his pastor knew a pastor named Tommy Barnett, who's son had a church not far from where I lived that had "great music" and really helped people. That place was Angelus temple (church of the Dream Center) I went there skeptical one Sunday, but experienced something completely new. An encounter with the Holy Spirit.

That day (my first day) the church worship band was playing., and the pastor gave a message titled "LIFE AFTER GIVING UP"... it was like the entire room of 3,000 people disappeared and there was a tunnel from the pastor's mouth to my ears. I had never experienced an invitation or altar call growing up Catholic. When they asked if anyone wanted to give their lives to Christ - I had my young son with me - I was broken, and going through a divorce. My kids whole lives were being shattered. My son immediately raised his hand to accept Christ., I followed him; we cried as we were overwhelmed in that moment of hope. 

After the service, a guitar player from the band (who Is my best friend to this day) came down and introduced himself to me. He invited me back to jam with the band, and a week later I played my first Christian song in front of 2000-3000 people at Angelus temple downtown LA. It was surreal.

Q: Why did you decide to be a Christian artist?

I never really decided that. The way things happened is the pastor (Matthew Barnett), and his team adopted me and loved me. Their acceptance and love showed me how to use my passion for music, for good, and for God as they accepted me as I was - broken and lost and taught me to serve God while I was waiting on Him to move in my life. 

I just kept serving, and falling deeper in love with God through worship. And serving others while I was waiting on my own prayers to be answered. One day it just hit me. THIS IS IT! This is what my passion for music was intended for. I knew so clearly that I was made to create music to directly or indirectly glorify God. That was what had always been missing for me., and my life radically changed.  

Q: Tell us more about your new single "Awake the Soul in Me."

Awake the soul in me - is a prayer. It's my prayer. It's the prayer of many people I know. My wife, and that same guitar player I met the first day at Angelus temple (Tyler Logan) wrote that song during Covid time frame. It was a prayer really for us. For me it reminded me of that feeling when I came in lost and broken to ask God to save me, a cry out to God. For my wife who is a pastor's kid - she knows all the Christian prayers, and moves, so the song for her is a prayer for a daily renewal. A fresh wind from the Holy Spirit. 

Q: How did you get to work with John Wilds and Noel Robinson?

This coming together was absolutely "a God thing" as both John , and Noel are incredible men of God., and divinely talented. So special, I truly admire both of their ministries. 

One of my friends knew John Wilds was a worship pastor living only about 90 min from where my wife Danielle and I were living in Florida, and suggested that we meet. 

Danielle & I met with John and his wife Natalie and we hit it off and both vocalized that we hope "one day we hope we can worship together"., as the world began to reopen - we invited him and his team to come worship at our church. 

We met Noel on a worship trip through London in 2019 just before the lockdown. We stopped to meet Bazil Meade and the London Community Gospel choir - and Noel came over to hang with us. We hit it off and as time went on just a few weeks prior to when we had John and his band scheduled to lead worship at our church (Coastline), I heard from Noel saying he was coming to town! So I called John and told him Noel wanted to come at the same time he would be visiting and it turned out John was a fan of Noel's music and they play his song 'Rain' at his church. 

That was the moment we realized we wanted to open the night with 'Rain' featuring Noel., and we recorded it.  It all came together so organically - and the result speaks for itself. I cannot wait for everyone to hear the live recording. This song is impacting many people when they hear it and we're hearing testimonies of inspiration and renewal from many people - also churches are starting to add "Awake the soul in me" to  their own Sunday worship services (the supplemental stems from Multitracks are already available). 

Q: Are you currently working on a new album? What can we be looking forward to in terms of new music?

We will be sharing a live version of "Rain" from the same night soon! Noel did this song with Leland a couple years back. I love that version, and our version came out great also - it has its own DNA and tons of energy! Also, I am writing new music and sharing with our church on a regular basis - we are planning another live recording in September to capture some of these songs, and do a special feature with our friend BJ Putnam, and some other guests. I love to collaborate! We have a new song called "Lay My Burdens Down" that will release likely this fall or early 2024, that is just a jamming praise song with horns, a choir, and really rocking gutsy guitar grooves. 

Q: Where can our readers go to find out more about you, your music and touring schedule?

Follow me on instagram @bradleyaldenmowry, or go to bradalden.com or my YouTube channel BRAD ALDEN.

We worship weekly at our home church Coastline Community Church (find us on YOUTUBE on a given Sunday or at thecoastlinechurch.com)., this year focusing on writing, recording and worship at our home church, and likely have travel dates to share for 2024.

 

 

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