And now here they are, Nick and Sue on Chatterbox.
When the stars talk, they talk to Nick and Sue.
Welcome back to the Chatterbox Redux podcast
with Sue and Nick and today our special guest
is Latasha Wurtz. This is Nick and Sue, a chatterbox
giving you all you need to know about music.
And now in Chatterbox, we're just lucky enough
to welcome Latasha Wurtz. Latasha, welcome to
Chatterbox. How are you? Hello, Latasha. I'm
doing good. Great, it's great to meet you. How
are you? Yes. We're good, aren't we? Very good,
thank you. Very good, aren't we? Very, very.
Now, Chris Bira. Space Angel Music sent us a
song and he sends us songs for consideration
for the Hit Me Show, which you're aware of now,
and your Rise Up song with the Badlands was just
amazing. I mean, as I said on the show at the
time, we didn't even think until after we'd heard
it about what the lyrics actually meant, which
is a good thing because we were just taken away
with it. It just, yeah. It's an amazing song
and the message comes, it's subtle, but it lifted
us. It lifted us, which is fantastic. That's
a great way of a song of that type of message.
I think it's the way to do it and lifting people
is fantastic. But I know that you've got quite
a story as to how... the song came about. So
maybe you'd like to tell us in your own words
how you got into you know the Christians singing
perhaps and how Rise Up came because that is
the song that people get to know you through
first. Yes and thank you guys so much for playing
my song as well. Rise Up came from a really real
place for me. It was not written in a perfect
season. It came from walking through things quietly
that not everyone could see, and where I had
to lean fully on my faith. There were moments
I felt alone, but I knew God was still with me,
even in the silence. And that is where the song
was born, from choosing to stand back up, not
in my own strength, but in His. That is also
how I found hope. Even when things did not make
sense, I held on to the truth that God was still
there. Sometimes hope is not loud. It is quiet.
It is choosing to keep going and to trust even
when you do not have all the answers. And that
is why Rise Up connects so deeply with Easter.
Fantastic. And it is amazing. I think it connects.
any time of year. It's an ideal time of year
to be chatting to you but I think it can give
hope any time because when we first heard it
we just got through Christmas and New Year wasn't
it? We were just into the New Year and I think
it lifts people regardless what time of year.
It's a fantastic time of year to be talking about
it and this interview goes out at a great time
but yeah I think it's somebody it will lift somebody
in July and August and September. I really do.
I think it's one very special song you've got
there. How long did it take to write? Or was
it over a period of time and it was worked on
bit by bit? Or how did it come about? How long?
Actually, my producer, Juan, and I had had it
in our minds of like, okay, let's change it up
with the Christian industry. And he was like,
because before when we worked together years
ago, we did EDM music. And so we said, hey, How
about let's do an EDM Christian song that's never
been done? And that is what we chose to do. And
that's when we came up with the words for rise
up. And there was some things that I was going
through in my life at that time. And one was
like Latacha, just be positive about it. And
Write a song and be positive. So I did rise up
is what I came up with and Then the next thing
I know I'm writing and writing and writing I
was going through a hard time at that time and
I went into Psalms Bible verses and that's where
rise up came from of me using rise up and The
thing is when I did it the tune even came. I
even got to sing that with one. It was really
late at night when we were starting to do this
song. I was so happy and enthusiastic about it.
I was like, what about this one? Rise up in the
power of the Holy Spirit. I love that. And then
he's like, let's just do it to EDM though. I
know you've done all your other tracks in like
country and you've done all these other different
things. Let's change it up. And that's what we
did. Fantastic. Got a great voice. It sounds
great. Thank you. Okay, so tell us about the
Badlands, the Badlands band. Who are they? They've
got their own website and you're singing with
them on various songs and it's LaTasha Wirtz
and the Badlands or something else. So you're
obviously working together all the time. So tell
us about them and who are they and all that stuff.
Yeah. Well, everything dealing with them is everything
dealing with Juan. Juan Rayfield with the production,
all of the production that goes on. And then
he also sometimes gets the choirs to come in
from that area, if we need a choir in my songs.
If I could ask you, because the hard time you're
having through life and that, the way you were
speaking, you were a Christian before, you met
the Lord before, were you brought up as a child
with beliefs and going to church or was it something
that as you were growing up or as an adult that
you found the Lord? Yes, I was baptized when
I was nine years old. So I've had the Lord with
me for a long time. You know, I've had different
things that happened in my life that were hard.
And He showed me that I could get through them.
And with Him, I could get through anything. And
you feel that it's the Lord that's helped you
with your music career as well to get the message
across to other people. You feel he's guiding
you and guiding you to people like us and radio
stations and everything else. It's all part of
life's path, you think, is part of it, yeah?
Absolutely. And the thing is, just how it happened,
it was just so amazing. And then my company Thrive
came about and he's showing me all this time
that, you know, I've been mom or wife or, you
know, all these other things. And it's great
being those things, but he's like, I need to
use you for me, not for you, for me. And so as
I write, here's what happens when I'm writing
a song and I don't finish it. Like that day of
everything that I had planned, it does not go
planned as. the same because like it's just like
everything it's like nope okay well that was
planned and that didn't work out but then when
i write the song then everything goes right in
order brilliant no wonderful great i'm also glad
it does you know uh now i'm looking at the uh
on youtube we're talking about we do your social
media right at the end so people can find you
as well um now The Badlands band we've got here,
I think I found a Latasha Wirtz channel as well
with a couple of songs on, but there's quite
a few here with you, like Helping Hands is a
song, a few other things. Tell us about some
of the other songs that you've recorded and people
can listen to and download. Okay, Helping Hands,
that's one of my favorite ones, because we all
need Helping Hands. We all need people to extend
a hand to help. to help out through the community.
You've got people who may be going through a
lot of trauma or they're going through pain or
they're going through hard times and they need
us. And so it only takes just a little bit to
have helping hands. And that's what we're supposed
to be as our servants. Hasha, do you actually
get to sing in your church, but actually out
in the front of the church? At my old church
I did. I was with the, like there was the lead
singers, but I sing in the background. Okay.
And no one knew that I sing like that. Well,
I never knew. Okay. Only the people in Tennessee
and the people I've been around in Las Vegas.
One of the reasons that the church was uncertain
that I produced music was because the music that
I produced when I was in the industry over 10
years ago was not spirit -led. And so I kept
that history to myself. Now that God has led
me to use the gift of music for His glory and
be a blessing to those who listen, they have
been surprised that I have the ability to sing
at this level. And I'm just so thankful that
I'm singing for the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
There was a time when I had done in this small
town and it was deep because of what was going
on in that timing. But the thing is, When I write
my songs, I write it in the Holy Spirit. However,
I write it to where everybody can communicate
with it and be like they're living in it as well.
And that's something that I try to do so that
they feel they're in the song. And Tutu present
a radio show So here's Nick and Sue Your musical
duo Well, if Rise Up's anything to go by, because
obviously we're still quite new to discovering
you, but if Rise Up's anything to go by, then
that's quite a feat. I don't know if I'm trying
to find the right word, but that's quite a skill
you've got there because it's natural. So, yeah,
you've got to say something. There's a lot more
songs coming from you. I can see it. Oh, yes,
definitely. Thank you. Yes, I've been writing
actually since I was five years old. And it was
with my father. I mean, he was a musician as
well. And I also was writing one with Neil Foster.
And he's a musician as well. So I was always
around musicians. And so writing has always been
around me. And I've actually got a book that
in eighth grade that I had written and I had
won for the writing contest for our school. And
so I got to have my own little book, which I
do have. And yeah, that was amazing that I got
to do that. And then they had asked me in Nashville
to use those songs in for the radio station.
And so I did. And that was. Yeah. You bet you
the. writing that all into a book. Now there's
quite a story there and it is a book, something
you may do, like to have a book published about
your story and the songs that you're writing
and to help people that way. Is that something
you could do that could go out as a podcast?
Is that something that's on the cards that we
may be able to talk about in the future? Yes,
I would absolutely love to do that because what
I've learned is Okay, our trials and tribulations
that we go through in life, that also helps us
to grow and become wiser. And then it also helps
bring nuggets to help others who are going through
those times. And God places us in their lives
at those times. But I've also learned you're
only in people's lives for a certain amount of
time. And that's okay. It's those seasons that
he's wanting you to be there to help them, to
guide them and be there with them. Sure. I'll
get that. I saw, as we mentioned before, or the
beginning, I don't remember if it's off air or
if it's since we've been chatting on air. So
I'll say both so I can take which one out, which
isn't appropriate. But yes, you're represented
promotion -wise by Chris Spear of Space Angel
Music. And I noticed a post that he's put up
the last day or two, the last few days. I've
seen something about a new release you've got
coming up, some new song. So why don't you tell
us all about the new song? I have Angel Stay
coming out and our grandmother, our great grandmother
just passed away this morning at eight o 'clock
a .m. And it is about dementia. She had dementia.
And in the song, this is something that's like
never been done in a song is that my mother is
a caregiver and she helps people all the time.
And the one thing when dementia is going on,
you have your family, but then you also have
the caregivers who are taking care of your family
at the last timing of their life. And this song
actually talks about the things that they go
through in the dementia and the things where
the caregivers are there, the family is there,
what they're trying, like what you can do to
get their minds more creative. And it just, it's
a type of song that really relates to the heart
of the family, friends, and it's upbeat. So you're
not listening to a song that's just like got
you sad and just crying so many tears. Instead,
you're having a up like, OK, they're going to
heaven. They're going to be going to heaven.
And I I'm so thankful and I'm so glad I get to
be there with them. Wonderful. What a wonderful,
special song. And it relates to so many people
listening as well. In fact, John Henry Harvey,
in the other interview on today's show, when
Chatterbox goes out, he also talks about dementia
and going around to the old folks' homes where
they suffer from dementia. And he gets them singing
the old hymns and things like that. So it's a
very important subject that's been there. mentioned
twice in two interviews in the same show and
as I said on John Henry Harvey's interview something
I can relate to and most people can relate to
unfortunately my own father he was diagnosed
with vascular dementia when he was in his 80s
early 80s we were lucky enough to have him till
he was 94 he went four years ago now so of course
I can relate to it and we all know somebody everybody
knows somebody who they've been close to, whether
it be a friend or whether it be a relative or
whatever. We all know somebody that's been stricken
by that. And of course, in many ways, it's very
sad that the fact is that that person's there,
but it's like they're not really there. There's
an object, there's a person there, but it's not
technically them because they're not there as
such. It's like they've already passed as such
as far as this goes. But I was so lucky with
my father, although... He could remember things
in the 1930s like it happened yesterday. He could
remember what had happened in the last day, the
last year, the last 10 years, 20 years. He could
remember before the Second World War. But I was
so lucky, and I mean this, I know I was lucky,
he could remember my name and who I was. He never
forgot me at any point and that's so lucky. Beautiful.
That's rare. I was so lucky. That's a blessing.
It was, it was. So, and did you mention you had
another, something else coming out? A new, another
single other than that one? Yes, that's what's
going on in my life right now that I've just
kind of been being quiet about. But it's check
the mirror. Oh, okay. Interesting. Yes. And it
is actually about different personalities people
have. And it's a facade. And where people they
think that people don't see it. And it's there.
And you're also giving grace for it. But there's
a certain time that you can't keep letting them
get away with something over and over and over
again, because they've got to learn from it that
that's just wrong. So that's cool. That's cool.
That's good. There's a great title as well. we
also thank you for coming in the chat room it's
lovely to see your support and your support for
the other artists as well it's lovely it is nice
it's wonderful they're amazing artists i mean
you go to listen to the songs why wouldn't you
because they're they're just amazing artists
and and i thank you for saying that but um you
know as i get to interact with them and talk
with them their songs are just they blow you
away Yeah, that's absolutely amazing songs absolutely
amazing and they give any any mainstream and
I mean proper mainstream, you know They give
them a run for their money any day, which is
like why we like to do both of course and yeah
It's right to him because they are as good or
better as I said, you know, they really are They
always say yeah, and even I heard this 50 years
ago There's better artists out there than the
ones that have been discovered Yeah, it's always
been the case, you know And it still is the case,
you know, yes. Yeah Okay, so um, let's have a
have a look at what sir what you might be doing
for the rest of the year What are your next plans?
I? Would like to be saying that I achieved Certain
songs going out that touch people's hearts like
the other ones but they're very powerful and
that God leads the way. The biggest thing is
I would not be here where I'm at if God didn't
lead me here. And I'm learning that when we write
from the heart and when you're writing from the
heart and you're writing in the moments of something
happening, that is when you have an amazing song
and also that thrive will be really powerful
of our company as we're putting out more songs
because the goal is to work with movie people,
the movie industry and to work with the singers
and with the Christian industry so that Like
with the movies, they can have more songs of
Christian songs of people writing them and us
helping them so that we can have more movies
with the Christian song because it's hard to
just have that. So, yes. That's fantastic. That's
great. And when it comes to singing live or doing
any touring and that, is it venues or is it like
churches or is that the plan to go around churches
to sing and do concerts at those? So the plan
is to go on tour. It's going to be after some
things pass and we're looking forward to that.
And I've spoken, you know, about even the UK.
And that's something I would love to do because
so many others are wanting to see me come there.
And I'm grateful for just what the Lord's doing.
He's just opening the doors in even Australia
because Chris even got people from Australia
now. And I'm just very thankful of what God's
doing. And the thing is, in the midst of trials
and tribulations going on, he's still bringing
that happiness. And that's the thing I want listeners
to know too is when you're going through trials
and tribulations, it's okay. And he's going to
be there with you and he's going to send his
people and be there for you as long as you let
him. And when you let him, you're giving it all
to him. But when you don't, you're not giving
it all. That's great. Now this, as you know,
Chatterbox goes out on a podcast. It's called
the Chatterbox Redux podcast. Now the podcast
is going to be uploaded on Good Friday. And this
show goes out like Easter Sunday and all over
Easter and then for the week afterwards. So it's
when we get to this time of year or any time
of year when it's a time that people that might
have had families are now alone, or people are
just by themselves anyway. It's a time when depression
could kick in more severely and times could be
harder. And I wondered if you as a Christian
had any message of hope or any message for people
that are listening, because there will be people
listening to this that are alone. Do you have
any message for them that could help them? Yes.
So for anyone listening this Easter, especially
if you feel alone, I just want you to know you
are not. God sees you, He is with you, and He
has not forgotten you. There is still hope, and
you can rise again. My music as a whole comes
from that place. Real life, real faith, and what
God has brought me through. My heart is to create
songs that help people feel seen, encouraged,
and reminded that they are not alone. And moving
forward, I am continuing to follow that calling,
creating and sharing music that carries hope
and truth wherever God leads me. If there is
one thing I want people to take away, it is this.
You are not alone, and no matter what you are
facing, you can rise again. Wonderful. Thank
you for that. That means a lot. That's good.
Thank you. And before we let you go, Ken, let's
cover some social media. If you tell people what
your social media presence is, where they can
find you. I think you're on Instagram and places.
So if you tell them where they can find you and
what the tags are, like, is it Latasha Wirtz
or Latasha Wirtz from the Badlands? Yeah, the
floor is yours. If you tell them how they can
find you, please. Instagram, YouTube, most of
the platforms. And we're getting ready to open
up our website for Thrive. So once that's open
then everybody can go there and then eat and
you'll get to see the Thrive music. Let us know
when Thrive is up and I think it'd be nice to
have a chat. It's been wonderful chatting to
you and meeting you and I think we should have
a chat as the year progresses and certainly have
you on before Christmas but let's see how the
year progresses maybe. before that but obviously
I'll be sending your songs and keep up to date
and we're friends on Facebook anyway and we do
mess each other sometimes as well so yeah so
keep in touch and I look forward to the next
songs yes indeed so it leaves me for now Latasha
just to say great meeting you thank you so much
for coming on Chatterbox and for your great song
and I was honored too I'm so thankful to get
to know you guys and thank you for playing my
music and you know It's just and it's not just
me, you know, it's a it's a team of people writing
the songs as well to like Russell, I'm sure you
guys have heard of him, Russell, he's been helping
as well. And one, I mean, that's the other thing
that's just amazing. Because Chris just pushed
out his song. That's my producer. And he just
put out a new song as well. Wonderful. Wonderful.
So we listen out for that as well. But yeah,
Latasha, thank you so much and love to chat more.
Looking forward to the next time already. You
take care, Latasha. And happy Easter to you,
Latasha. Happy Easter to you guys. Thank you
very much. Bye bye. You've been listening to
the Chatterbox Redux podcast with Sue and Nick
and today our special guest was Latasha Wirtz.
If you're interested in becoming a future guest
on the Chatterbox Redux podcast or the radio
show Chatterbox UK you're welcome to submit songs,
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Sue, myself Nick and Twinkle the tuxedo cat,
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take care, we thank you for your company and
we catch you then. Bye bye. This is Nick and
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