An Interview With Stanley Bronstein
Music is embedded in our souls going back to the beginning of time. It has real power and connection ability. Words and music are very powerful separately but together they are a force to be reckoned with. Music can change people’s hearts and inspire. It can be used for pure joy, shared pain and sorrow, social change and pure stupidity and fun. These are the places that I write from. Music reaches everyone at some level; it reaches our hearts and minds. That is why so many of the poignant moments in our lives are tied to songs and sounds.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dave McElroy.
Dave McElroy is a country music artist who transitioned from a successful business career to pursue music after feeling called by his faith to make the change. Within six months of committing to his musical path, he achieved his first top 40 hit and found himself in Nashville’s inner circle, working with Grammy-winning producers. Beyond his musical success, McElroy is dedicated to charitable work, particularly supporting children at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, elderly individuals, military veterans, and youth struggling with addiction through organizations like the Darren Waller Foundation.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
The truth is that I felt the Lord moving me back to music. I kept receiving promptings until the point where I flat out asked the Lord to break out a 2X4 and let me know that is what he wanted. He did just that. At the time I had a very successful business which made it hard, but it was clear the lord wanted to take me in this new direction and use me somehow. I started writing songs and in two weeks I wrote close to 20 songs -they were pouring out of me. I recorded two demos and within one month I was sitting in the studio of one of the best producers in music, a Grammy winner with 4 country number ones. We decided to work together-which is a story in and of itself-and within 6 months from the time I said yes to the Lord I had my first top 40 hit (another amazing story) and was placed dead center in the middle of Nashville’s inner circle. A place every aspiring country singer dreams to be. It has been a wonderful journey ever since. When I first committed to doing this, I had no idea what the Lord wanted to do with it. It wasn’t until a year into this that I started to understand how the Lord wanted to use me.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We had just completed our first big show as direct support for an A-list artist on the road. We were just on our way up. The show was a huge success and the band we opened for was very happy to celebrate!! After the show we all went out to celebrate a bit. One of the members of the band to remain nameless haha (who normally does not drink much) went all in that night. The next morning, he was not at breakfast or at the lobby to call for the ride to go to the airport to fly to another show. After pounding on his door and calling him repeatedly I finally got the hotel to open his door for me. There he was laptop open blaring a podcast while his alarm was also at full volume blaring inches from his face while my guy was sound asleep. I woke him up and packed him up while he got himself ready to go. We made our flight with only minutes to spare. What I learned is that while my guys are super responsible evidently this can happen, so from that day forward we have always had an extra key on hand for every room in case this would ever come up again. 10 years later and it has not.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Stay true to yourself. I know that it sounds cliché but it’s true. Find your sound and stay true to your message. What is really true is that your passion will come out much more than if you’re trying to write and sing something that you think or those surrounding you think the world wants to hear. The biggest artists of our time brought something new to the table, something unique only to themselves.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My grandfather was big in stature but kind in heart. He was everything a man should be. He loved the Lord, he loved his wife and held her up. He lifted everyone around him and he was a simple man who worked at the school, church and cemetery after moving to America. In the old country (Italy) he was a farmer who at the age of 12 would take their cattle to the high country and stay out there with them all summer long. At his funeral over three thousand people showed up; they filled three books of people signing in at the front of the church. I have many stories of my grandfather. I listened to him on many occasions as he told me about life and the Lord.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
First and foremost, it lets people be happy. Bringing a smile to their faces at a show brings a positive and energized performance to elevate their spirits. People wait all month, all week to come to an event to hear us play, or maybe another band and we happen to be there. It’s our job to leave it all out on the stage to lift and elevate everyone’s spirits. Let them check out of life for just a little bit. My charitable focus centers primarily on three vulnerable populations: children and elderly individuals who are frequently overlooked by society, and our military veterans and active service members who deserve our unwavering support.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I was able to meet some children from St Jude Children’s Hospital and their stories absolutely broke my heart. So much so that I don’t even want to share the atrocities. I have been supporting St Jude ever since.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
There is a foundation that I support called the Darren Waller Foundation. They help get young men and women off the streets and off drugs and alcohol. The organization not only puts them through treatment but then makes sure they have a place to live that is a safe environment for them, food to eat and help them get training and jobs. The Foundation truly makes sure these young men and women are back on solid ground before reentering the world. I have met several of the kids that have come through the program and are continuing a sober life and achieving great success in their life and sobriety. They have a 70% success rate in helping youth get back on track.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
I would have to say we all need to be less internal. We all have needs and trials in our lives but there are those out there who truly have needs, not wants but needs to just survive or to even feel respected and know that they are thought of not just someone unseen or loved in this big world. If your life is comfortable or you think you have problems, join a prayer chain at a church and see just how amazing your life is. A key is to see past ourselves and see the needs of others.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
Music is embedded in our souls going back to the beginning of time. It has real power and connection ability. Words and music are very powerful separately but together they are a force to be reckoned with. Music can change people’s hearts and inspire. It can be used for pure joy, shared pain and sorrow, social change and pure stupidity and fun. These are the places that I write from. Music reaches everyone at some level; it reaches our hearts and minds. That is why so many of the poignant moments in our lives are tied to songs and sounds.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
1 . Never play on Broadway if you’re serious about being a national act.
2 . You only have one shot at Nashville so don’t go until you are ready
3 . Keep your head down and don’t make waves or give anyone something to talk about.
4 . In Nashville, it’s all about the hang, don’t try and push for anything just truly enjoy the
people you are around and if something is going to happen then it will
5 . Be authentic and genuine at all times just be yourself and always be humble
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
We are not here for ourselves!
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
Lord never let me want for more than what you want for me to have. If the Lord wants a door open, he will open it. I will give it my full effort and business expertise, but if he doesn’t open a door then I will not force it, no matter how badly I want it.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Mark Murphy, President of the Green Bay Packers.
About the Interviewer: Stanley Bronstein is an attorney, CPA, and author of more than 20 books. However, he doesn’t consider any of those his greatest achievement. His most significant accomplishment was permanently losing 225 pounds and developing the personal growth system that made it possible — The Way of Excellence. As a catalyst for change, he has dedicated his life to helping others maximize their potential, transform their lives, and achieve optimal health. To learn more, you can download a free PDF copy of his latest book, The Way of Excellence Journal, at https://TheWayOfExcellence.com.
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Dave McElroy Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.