Women Of The Underground | Part 1
*Women of the Underground: Questions Answered by Some of the Leading Women Behind the Leading Men of Today’s Music Scene. *Answers by Jamie Gillespie (Married to Aaron Gillespie of The Almost), Krissi Green (Married to Tommy Greenof Sleeping Giant) and Candice Montgomery (Married to Mattie Montgomery of For Today)
ehind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great musician there is a very understanding, patient and strong woman. We wanted to give the women a chance, the women that stand behind these influential men who stand before us night after night inspiring, encouraging and leading the way. We had three women, who are on the verge of taking the next step themselves, of being that encouragement, that rock at home to their men out there on the road, write questions to three women who are currently (and have been for years) learning what its like to be in this position.
One morning, while packing up their stuff in our Hopecore office, Mattie Montgomery suggested that we put his wife Candice on the cover of the magazine because “she is the amazing one”. From there, the idea of Women of the Underground was cultivated. A big thank you to all six women who contributed to this piece.
How do you feel about boy bands staying the night while on tour at other girls housing?
Jamie Gillespie: I think that being able to travel and do what you love is the best feeling in the world! However I also understand that comes with a price. The price is anything from eating Top Ramen dry for months, long nights in the van and of course wondering where you’re going to sleep, hoping it’s not the van! However I feel like this question can be tricky because most Christian men wouldn’t even stay at a girl’s house if they are married or in a relationship. Others would say that their relationship is perfect and it doesn’t matter. What do I think? I say Satan is evil! And you have to start with the little things in your life and I would say that if you are on the road that would be one thing I would weed out.
Krissi Green: I think it is all about the accountability dynamic in the band and the communication with spouses. As a wife, I would prefer for the band to have another option unless the “girl” is a long-time friend and known well. For the most part Sleeping Giant doesn’t bunk down at single girl’s housing but rather chooses families and any accommodations like that are usually well discussed with the spouses. At least that is how Tommy and I approach that dynamic. Up to this point we haven’t had an issue or even had to address this dynamic.
Candice Montgomery: Because this question requires me to be able to offer a black-and-white set of rules, it’s hard for me to answer. It depends on the people, the spiritual accountability between the members of the band, and the personal conviction of each guy individually. The guys in For Today are focused on pursuing God, so staying at girls houses is never a stumbling block for any of them. I guess I can only speak from my personal experience. I can’t speak for every guy in every band, but I know that it is possible for a group of guys who are burning for the Lord to stay at a girl’s house without any problems.
Do you have fear about income and what you both will do for jobs when the band is done?
JG: No I don’t. I know that UO or The Almost won’t last forever. However God will always provide for us. I have no worries. Aaron is so talented and I know that The Lord will be using us in all different directions in all different ministries. Which is all I ask for as long as we are in His will then I don’t care what’s going on.
When Aaron is home we work with our youth group along side our youth Pastor Jeremiah Smith and his Wife Jenn Smith. IGNITE youth group. Aaron just decided to teach drum lessons, which is going to be really fun! I am starting a dog bakery called Dog Town Gourmet Bakery Online and Local! And we have our clothing line pigclothclothing.com. We also do fly out dates for weekend conferences and acoustic shows. That’s about it!
KG: The majority of our income does not come from the band. Tommy does make money while he is on the road and I maintain a part-time job at home (which is very flexible) but part of what I do is take care of my bonus-daughter while he is on the road and continue to keep our ministry here at home going. We started raising our support last summer so that Tommy could be released from his full-time position with Wells Fargo Bank to tour with Sleeping Giant and be free to establish our ministry base here. Revolution Reality, Inc. (www.revolutionreality.org)
The band is an important aspect of ministry in our hearts. There is an aspect of Tommy’s calling that is being fulfilled through the band as is the other member’s. We view the ministry of Sleeping Giant as an honor and privilege and we are willing to make the sacrifices required for as long as the season may last. If great financial success comes from it, that is awesome, but we are believing for millions of souls to be saved and reconnected to the Creator through the ministry of Sleeping Giant.
CM: When we decided that I was going to go out on tour with Mattie full-time, I had no idea how we would afford to eat, or even what I would be doing. It sounded ridiculous to me, but God had called me to walk in obedience, as He does with everyone that claims to be a Christian. Since then I watched the Lord become my true provider, and I have seen Him miraculously meet every need we’ve had. Because the Lord has proven Himself faithful, I have no fear of our future. I continue to stand on His Word in Matthew 6:25-33, in which He promises that He will meet ALL of our needs, according to His glorious riches.
Do you enjoy touring with band more or do you enjoy staying home?
JG: I really love traveling! I think it’s so amazing to think that I could be in that wonderful place! There are so many people in this world that will never get the opportunity to even go to NY or California or even overseas. And to think that I get to go there, it’s just so exciting to me. So yes I do like traveling with the bands however we have 4 dogs, 2 turtles, a cat and a horse so I am a little restricted but that’s ok because we have wonderful friends that help out a lot! A special thank you to Joe, Lindsay and Adam for all you do!
KG: I love the Sleeping Giant members. There have been times when I have joined them on tour or we’ve had some “family” vacation time. They really feel like family and I enjoy being with them. For the most part I remain at home. Due to whatever circumstances or obligations, I keep stuff rolling at home while they are on the road. Tommy and I would prefer to have the time broken up a bit and that is our goal when looking at longer tours. Our family dynamic is about to change as we are due with our first baby boy in June and we, along with the other members of the band, are trying to figure out ways where we could tour more as a family. We haven’t figured out how it is going to look but we are willing to redefine what the touring band looks like with spouses and small children. This may be a question worth revisiting in the next year.
CM: I think I like touring more than I like staying home for a few reasons. I love being with my husband everyday. Through our willingness to sacrifice having a “home”, we have been blessed to see the world together! We get to make memories in cities to which I only dreamed of going, and we have seen the Spirit of God invade the lives of people all across the United States. Because I tour with the band, I have been able to share in the salvation, healing, and spiritual breakthrough of countless people across the country.
How do you encourage your husband while he is away on tour?
JG: First off I have to say this is the hardest thing to do, even though you would like it to be the easiest. For me the more he leaves the harder it gets. The harder it gets the less supportive I get which I don’t think that’s the way it’s supposed to be. However in all honestly you have to encourage each other. Everyday is a team effort. Even though he may be the one away you are still a team and still need to be a team. As a team we try to keep up on our devotions. I remind him daily how much we miss him. I send him count downs to the day when he comes home. All this stuff lets him know that we are thinking about him. Our youth kids send him random text messages. Once again that’s letting him know we are thinking about him. Men like to know that they are being thought of. Every man is different; most off all just make time for him while he’s gone.
KG: Tommy and I make it a priority to stay connected and consistent with communication. We connect over the phone multiple times a day and take the time to pray together before the band goes on stage. The last conversation is usually a late one with a recap of their set and ministry time. As a wife, it is important to encourage my husband through prayer and the Word. Speaking the Word over him and encouraging him through prayer. Many times I feel more connected to the show and can give him words of knowledge or wisdom or whatever I may be sensing in the Spirit that could aid in the ministry to that particular crowd. But I don’t think that touring should be any different than a full-time occupation. It is vital that we stay connected and speak encouragement regardless of the distance or how the time is spent.
CM: Last summer, on Scream the Prayer tour, I stayed home in Alabama to take care of my mother, as she was very sick with cancer at the time. She had brain tumors that were growing so rapidly that there was nothing the doctors could do. Watching my mom die and being away from my husband was the hardest time of my life. So I would just cling to Jesus and his Word. I stayed in His presence through prayer and worship. While Mattie and I were apart, I encouraged him to continue to preach the Gospel, and to keep doing what God had called him to do.
I had to die to myself daily because I wanted my husband to be home with me, but I knew that there were kids across the nation that needed to hear about Jesus. I knew it was life or death for some of them, so I was supportive of him being there instead of complaining that he was away. I was never alone because I always have Jesus and his Holy Spirit to comfort me. We would send each other scriptures to stay rooted in the Word, and I would intercede for Mattie daily and fight for him in the secret place.
Having grown up in a family of musicians, and having been with a musician who has been on tours before, I am used to the idea of separation. I know that even though you get used to it, it’s still hard no matter what…
*Because of the length and depth of answers we have decided to make this a two part section. Look for the second half of this interview in the July Issue!
