A young Catholic artist to watch: Jackie Minton

This singer-songwriter is committed to honesty and hope, carrying her faith as a light along the way.

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Jackie is a Catholic singer songwriter from Arlington, Texas. Her music draws listeners from all walks of life by way of her insightful lyrics and ethereal melodies. She is an artist committed to honesty and hope, carrying her faith as a light along the way.

CECILIA MUSIC: Jackie, “Searching for Now” is a beautiful song with a very deep meaning. Congratulations on the stunning video! Where did you find the inspiration to write it?

Thank you! The song was the product of me coming to terms with the fact that I don’t have all the answers and that’s simply a part of life. I was about to start my senior year of high school and would have loved clarity as to where I was supposed to go after graduation, but I didn’t have it! I still crave a bird’s eye view of my life, but that’s not the way it works. I couldn’t have predicted where I would end up or how I would get here, but here I am all the same. Beauty lies in living now, hoping for the future, and carrying on despite the shadows. The light will come in its time. “Searching for Now” was my personal declaration to keep looking for the answers and to seek the moment at hand, instead of reaching for one ahead.

The music video is extremely original. We see a running child turn into a running young man. Why? Can you tell us about the story line?

My friends Joseph Fifelski and Joseph Graves approached me with this concept and we collaborated with a host of others to bring it to life. Their tireless work on the project was absolutely inspiring. I discussed the video’s symbolism with them recently and each of us came at it from different but related perspectives. The story’s metaphor is definitely open for interpretation! I see a little boy filled with wonder become a tired man as he searches for “now,” as if it is something that can be caught and held on to. It’s not until he decides to go on with his life and seek a higher way that he manages to escape the paths he got caught in and see the spectacular view that was waiting for him the whole time. That is how we find the peace we are made for.

Where did you shoot the video?

I was studying at John Paul the Great Catholic University in Southern California at the time, and the landscape there is so stunning. The first location we visited as a team was a public park filled with caverns off of Solana Beach. We immediately knew it was perfect for the story we wanted to tell.

How does our Catholic faith help in “searching for now”?

Faith is the basis for all of my hope. I speak from experience when I say that it is easy to be anxious about life. Even filming the music video almost two years after the song’s release made me nervous about how it would be received, but pursuing the opportunity brought my heart back to the song’s message. Life happens exactly how and where it is supposed to. When we trust the Lord and give him what we have, he multiplies it in ways we could never imagine.

You offer most of your music for free on Spotify and YouTube. How can we support your art?

The best way to support my art is by listening to it when you’re in the mood and by sharing my music with people you think would enjoy it. That alone means so much to me! However, another great way is to stay in touch by signing up for my electronic letters! That’s how I share what going on in my life, as well as how I share when and where I’m performing. Lastly, if you have done those things and are wondering what else can be done, I invite you to support my music monetarily through the digital tip jar on my website.

But if you haven’t done so, sign-up for my personal letters here! There is so much junk mail in our inboxes there these days, receiving a letter from a friend is refreshing!

What have you in the works now?

That’s a loaded question, haha! I have a lot of aspirations and ideas that I’m working through. I’m also always working on a new song, or five; however, I am almost done recording an acoustic project that I started this summer! Now that I am back in full-time school in Nashville, Tennessee, the time I can put into recording, editing, and publishing is limited—but I am working on getting that into your hands and ears as soon as possible! I am excited to share these songs, as well as the stories behind them, even if it’s not till after the next 4 or 5 months. Sign up for the electronic letters I mentioned earlier to stay tuned!

Where can we find Searching for Now?

You can find the full EP on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, and anywhere music may be available for streaming or purchasing.

Thank you Jackie! Ad maiora!

Thank you Cecilia Music for this opportunity!

MINI BIO

Name: Jackie Minton

Hometown: Arlington, TX

Current City: Nashville, TN

Latest Album: Searching for Now

Curiosity: Avid tea drinker and lover of dark chocolate

Website: https://www.jackieminton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiemintonmusic/