by Jessica Jones
Imagine the uncertainty of quitting a full time job that provides steady, predictable income to chase after a dream that might not turn out as expected. Michael Watkins of Birmingham took such a chance when he quit his job as a banker to become a full-time musician. A decision that great may seem optional, but for Watkins it was a gamble he felt he needed to take.
“I kind of prepared for it,” Watkins said. “I didn’t just blindly walk out. It was a step of faith, but I had some stuff lined up. Just saving up my money, and planning projected goals that I had to accomplish what I’m trying to go now matching it with funds I had saved up and how my wife and I worked together to help me get those goals.”
Watkins quit his day job to fully dedicate himself to his new album, “Brand New” which is tentatively set for release early next year. His single “He can do it Again” will be released mid-November.
“This album we’re working on, it’s going to be a mixture of everything,” Watkins said. “It’s kind of a blend of praise and worship and it’s a mix of contemporary as well as classic gospel and it kind of fits all ages.”
The youngest of four children, Watkins grew up in a family of musicians; his younger brother is an organist at their childhood church, Faith Apostolic, his sister is a singer and both his father and his mother were members of church-based singing groups. His deep love for music was behind the decision to make a commitment to being a full-time musician.
“It was really almost like a life-changing moment and a life-changing event, like when you choose to marry someone,” Watkins said. “It was actually something I planned and dreamed about for years but… I couldn’t see how it would be, so when I got to this point, the biggest thing was having my wife support me so it helped me make the decision because with her supporting me we were kind of on the same page and got down and made some plans for it.”
Watkins said his wife, Anita, understood his desire to become a musician, but her support didn’t come without her own concerns about her husband’s responsibility as a husband and father.
“She was kind of nervous, I think in the beginning and she was saying how there could have been a little selfishness in [my decision],” Watkins said. “But her whole attitude was supportive.”
When it comes to business, Watkins’ trust lies in his family and friends. His brother, Mario Watkins and Marcus Hogan, a close friend who Watkins grew up with, helps produce his music. As an entrepreneur, problems with finances are planned for and are to be expected, but what Watkins couldn’t prepare for was shady business deals.
Watkins had started work on this project, when UAB bought the studio he’d been working in to produce music. Unbeknownst to Watkins, he and his crew had to finish their project by a certain deadline, before they were kicked out of the studio. To make matters worse, a friend who was helping Watkins record disappeared and took Watkins’ music with him.
For a year and a half Watkins was unable to locate the friend who had taken his music. Momentarily defeated by the loss of his material, Watkins decided to take a break from music, during which time he married his wife.
After being robbed by a friend he thought he could trust, Watkins gave thought to the idea that mixing friendship with business might not be the best idea, but his trust in his brother and friend has put his uncertainty to rest.
“I know how they think and how they handle business and so I didn’t think it would clash too hard,” Watkins said. “I know their mentality. It’s not a tainted mentality and I know how they think about handling business, they’re professional.”
Three minds working on the same project are bound to clash at some point during the creative process, but Watkins doesn’t see their disagreements as a problem; on the contrary, their differences in opinion are what he thinks makes them such a dynamic team.
“My brother is kind of reserved,” he said. “I’m kind of in between. I can be reserved, but I can also stretch out. And then my friend Marcus, he can go real far out, so sometimes we pull it together to give it that perfect blend.”
With so much at stake, success in his new career is imperative but, if it doesn’t work out, will he ever go back to the bank?
“If I need to,” he said. “If God doesn’t bless this like I’m expecting, then as a man, I would have to do what I have to do and I wouldn’t be mad about it. “What I didn’t want to do was not try. I cannot live and die without trying and never knowing.”
“I’ve learned to trust myself. I’m building that trust and complete confidence in who I am and what God has given me, who he’s made me and the wisdom and knowledge I’ve received I try to retain it.”
Find Michael Watkins on the web at www.mikejmusic.com.
For booking information, contact Marcus Hogan at: booking@mikejmusic.com.
