This week, we’ll visit with two musicians who found their love for music early on, but took some devastating detours along the way to their dreams of full-time music careers.

Darren Mulligan is songwriter and lead singer for the Dove Award-winning Christian music group We Are Messengers. Early in his music pursuits, Darren found himself indulging in other things that caused damage to himself and to those he loved—admitting that he was, “manipulative and just very broken.” He shares the story of attending a little church in his hometown in Monaghan, Ireland, and what happened that altered his course—and his music—forever.  

Joseph Habedank is a two-time time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter who traveled for many years with the legendary southern gospel group The Perrys. Dealing with an ailment on the road, Joseph unexpectedly fell into addiction and found himself trading his dreams of singing for the pursuit of his next high. He shares what reaching rock bottom meant to him, and how he sought help in prayer, rehabilitation, and therapy. 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Russ Taff

Upcoming interview: John Micahel Talbot

Darren Mulligan 

We Are Messengers

Ballinode

Johnny Cash 

Willie Nelson

Romans 5:3 NIV

www.wearemessengers.com

Where The Joy Is

Joseph Habedank 

The Perrys

“He's Still Working on Me”

The Crabb Family

Porter's Call in Nashville

Cumberland Heights

Grammys MusiCares program

Russ Taff

Autobiography

“The Basement”

Interview Quotes:

“I remember selling all my guitars because I assumed that guitars were the things that had led me into all of this sin in my life. It was a very small view of God that He couldn't use the gifts He had given me, and He couldn't keep me from my sin.” - Darren Mulligan 

“Misery loves company. But what I later found out in life is that joy needs a friend too, you know?” - Darren Mulligan 

“There's a lot of areas in my life that I've messed up, nearly every area—being a father, being a husband, being a follower, being a man. And it's the grace of God that I rely on so heavily.” - Darren Mulligan

“My joy could only be found in walking close enough to Jesus that I learn to love what He loves.” - Darren Mulligan

“I was a Christian music artist, and I was chasing dope. That was my full time job, and I was exhausted. It was probably the darkest time in my life. I really thought I'd never sing again.” - Joseph Habedank

“When I lost my job doing what I've always wanted to do, which is sing about Jesus, that was my rock