L O C A L L O V E : A N S E R I G B Y
Anse Rigby is a name you don't easily forget and a person you'll always remember. Anse grew up in forest, Mississippi, and is a nurse practitioner at St. Dominic's in Jackson, Mississippi. He is also the worship leader at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. He married his high school sweetheart, Courtney, and they have two beautiful daughters tofether, Ella (5) and charlie (2). "It's a woman's world, and I'm here for it! I'm a loving guy and in touch with my emotions, but I love these three more than I thought possible," smiles Anse. It's these same emotions that make Anse one of the greatest singer/songwriters that will ever come out of Mississippi... Yep, we said it!
"Cool story. I've always loved to sing and I've loved being the center of attention (honesty is the best policy, right?)," laughs Anse when asked how he got into singing and songwriting. Anse's mom bought him a guitar his senior year; and after learning a few chords, he immediately began writing songs. "As I said earlier, I'm a loving guy and in touch with my emotions so I began writing the love songs! I vividly remember being on a high school Beta Club trip and a bunch of my friends were in a hotel room and the girls crying after I sang a few songs that I had written. I was hooked!" says Anse.
"Cool story. I've always loved to sing and I've loved being the center of attention (honesty is the best policy, right?)," laughs Anse when asked how he got into singing and songwriting. Anse's mom bought him a guitar his senior year; and after learning a few chords, he immediately began writing songs. "As I said earlier, I'm a loving guy and in touch with my emotions so I began writing the love songs! I vividly remember being on a high school Beta Club trip and a bunch of my friends were in a hotel room and the girls crying after I sang a few songs that I had written. I was hooked!" says Anse.
 | For Anse, his favorite part about what he does is the process. For so many, music is a form of therapy, and that's no different for him. Anse spoke about how rewarding the connection with others is and how something he creates can help others process through situations. "Crafting a story and a melody together and then sharing it with people who appreciate it gives me both a feeling of pride and humility. Truly honoring," says Anse. When listening to Anse's music, you immediately feel like you're glimpsing inot his life, his marriage, parenthood and his friendships. His lyrics are incredibly beautiful and moving. He contributes his wife and their relationship, the good and bad, as the core of his motivation to write songs. "I love to be as open as possible because I love to use my platform as a songwriter to encourage other couples in their marriage," says Anse. On his new album, there is a song called "Strangers" that discusses the sleepless nights that he faced in his marriage. |
"I have encountered people that struggle to be transparent in their marriages, and I think that creates an avenue for the evil one to steal, kill, and destroy. As a Christian, I love the ability to use music as a segue to discuss the hope we have in Christ in whichever situation we find ourselves in," smiles Anse.
When listening to Anse's music, you immediately feel like you're glimpsing inot his life, his marriage, parenthood and his friendships. His lyrics are incredibly beautiful and moving. He contributes his wife and their relationship, the good and bad, as the core of his motivation to write songs. "I love to be as open as possible because I love to use my platform as a songwriter to encourage other couples in their marriage," says Anse. On his new album, there is a song called "Strangers" that discusses the sleepless nights that he faced in his marriage. "I have encountered people that struggle to be transparent in their marriages and I think that creates an avenue for the evil one to steal, kill, and destroy. As a Christian, I love the ability to use music as a segue to discuss the hope we have in Christ in whichever situation we find ourselves in," smiles Anse.
When listening to Anse's music, you immediately feel like you're glimpsing inot his life, his marriage, parenthood and his friendships. His lyrics are incredibly beautiful and moving. He contributes his wife and their relationship, the good and bad, as the core of his motivation to write songs. "I love to be as open as possible because I love to use my platform as a songwriter to encourage other couples in their marriage," says Anse. On his new album, there is a song called "Strangers" that discusses the sleepless nights that he faced in his marriage. "I have encountered people that struggle to be transparent in their marriages and I think that creates an avenue for the evil one to steal, kill, and destroy. As a Christian, I love the ability to use music as a segue to discuss the hope we have in Christ in whichever situation we find ourselves in," smiles Anse.
After writing a song in November 2016 on his back patio, Anse recalls thinking it was his best yet. He decided to speak with Casey Combest of Blue Sky Studios. They professionally produced his first album All Long. Anse knew that he wanted to do a release show and a goal of his was top lay at Duling Hall in Fondren. "I was skeptical about the turnout and had a small number that I wished would attend so my dream wasn't a flop," says Anse. When he walked out onto the Duling Hall stage that night, he found a packed house and sold out venue! "If you could have been in my mind the week of the show and then the moment that I walked out on stage, you would understand my heart on the matter. I will never forget that night for as long as I live. I don't think there will ever be a show that amounts to that night for me," says Anse.
When asked if he had any advice for aspiring artists, he had three simple things to say. Don't stop. Find a community of people that have your same desire, and bounce ideas, dreams, and struggles back and forth. Lastly, know who you are. "Don't look at your talent to define you. Don't find your identity in the 'artist' or 'musician.' It will never fully satisfy you. Find your identity in Christ," says Anse.
If you're interested in following Anse's career, you can find his music essentially anywhere online. He is on both Spotify and apple music. You can keep up with him easiest through his Instagram or Facebook. If you are thinking about a house show or just want to introduce yourself, send Anse a message through either of those platforms or by email at [email protected].
When asked if he had any advice for aspiring artists, he had three simple things to say. Don't stop. Find a community of people that have your same desire, and bounce ideas, dreams, and struggles back and forth. Lastly, know who you are. "Don't look at your talent to define you. Don't find your identity in the 'artist' or 'musician.' It will never fully satisfy you. Find your identity in Christ," says Anse.
If you're interested in following Anse's career, you can find his music essentially anywhere online. He is on both Spotify and apple music. You can keep up with him easiest through his Instagram or Facebook. If you are thinking about a house show or just want to introduce yourself, send Anse a message through either of those platforms or by email at [email protected].
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