We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark McHenry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It’s something that’s always been in me. From writing short stories I loved when I was younger to writing songs as an adult and felt the big desire to make it a career and I did. Just being creative and writing and it’s only grown more through the years into more creative opportunities and goals as the more I’ve grown.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Things changed in my life when my life changed. Nothing Changes, If Nothing Changes. I needed to make a change in my work too.  The journey was to first focus on my health, sobriety and the daily task of maintaining and healing. My career as a Country singer and songwriter was doing well, had alittle success over the many years. I decided to change the way I was doing my career, there was trauma that wasn’t getting healing and a rough industry to work in, things got really horrible and substance addiction led me in a deep dark path. I eventually realized I needed and wanted to breake away from that particular life style. I put my guitar down for alittle while. I eventually went on to acting, that was already a goal and I still have my foot in with acting and also screen play writing, faith and family based material. I love story telling and creativity.

When I got back into church early 2021, I came under conviction from God and started following Jesus Christ, very focused and joyed on my relationship with God. I started singing with the church and eventually at Recovery program. A dear friend of mine said ‘Do it for God, don’t do it for man, give God the glory’. I got into writing songs for healing and Christ like love. I’ll sing where God leads me to and brings Him glory. I still have my battles with mental and emotional health, it’s a step at a time and I started to use that alittle for healing and to help someone battling there addiction and there situations. I got back into music for the creativity and story telling and the connection to people and not only about the industry, which is how I fell in love with it many years ago. It has made me learn more about life and where the gift really comes from, from God. I don’t want people to just see me, I want people to see Christ in me and feel welcomed and healing by what art and actions in my heart.
Recovery is more than addiction-such as drugs and alcohol and etc. it’s recovery from brokenness and trauma, we live in a broken and sinful fallen world. There is the root of the pain we battle through everyday, the addiction is the symptom and not the core problem.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in East Tennessee and I love it! I’d take them to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, those are major hot spots. You get some of the best smoked barbeque around here, so we have to dine either at Bradleys in Sweetwater or at a Buddys bbq, or Full service bbq, a number of places.  The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, also Sweetwater Farms, Cup Runneth Over coffee shop in town and I would invite them to church, most important honestly. I actually don’t get out like I used to (laughs)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s a number of people God has put in my life the past few years to help me. The leader of the journey is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Those that have helped me is my recovery family program called Renew Recovery Community, a loving and welcoming Christian faith recovery program and a couple of other programs have been helpful. My church family, my family, Turning Hearts Ministry (Mark DeJesus counseling) and some others that have come across my journey.

Instagram: @markmchenryent

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092166483163

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@3chordsrecordsmusic899

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