Meet Dustin Starks, a rising musician from Snowflake, Arizona. With a passion for sharing his heart through music, Dustin is committed to connecting with listeners and bringing hope to those in need. In his latest album, See Like That, he explores themes of God's higher ways and the importance of seeing the world through His eyes. From his own challenging childhood experiences, Dustin has learned the value of compassion, grace, and mercy toward others. As for what's next, Dustin trusts in God's plan for his career and is excited to see where the journey takes him. In this exclusive interview, he shares his heart and vision for his music and how he hopes to impact the world through it.
You live in a small town called Snowflake in Arizona. How interesting?
I know, funny, but funny enough, we do get snow. I’m married and have two daughters. I keep telling them to stop growing up so fast, but they don't seem to listen. I started writing music about ten years ago but started fully pursuing it as a career about four years ago. I’m super excited about what God has already been doing through it.
What are you passionate about your listeners hearing through your music?
My goal in music is to really want people to hear my heart. I want others to hear realness through my lyrics and be able to connect to them. To realize it's okay to struggle or have hurt. I want to always point back to Jesus as the source of hope in a dark and hurting world. If my music doesn’t connect with people where they are while sharing God's love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness, I say everything I do is for nothing, and I hope God will not bless it.
Could you tell us about a few of your most recent singles from your new album, See Like That?
My latest single, the title track "See Like That," was written two years ago while I was in Nashville for some writing sessions with Word/Curb Records. I wrote the song with two phenomenal writers (who are way more talented than me, or at least have a lot more experience), Benji Cowart and Michael Farren. It was right at the height of Covid when there was so much going on in our world.
I remember feeling overwhelmed by everything happening and thinking, what do we do about this? I started thinking of this idea about the way God sees things. His thoughts are so much higher than ours; His ways are so much higher. And maybe the way we see or perceive things aren't always entirely in line with His ways. So, my prayer for the song was, God, let me know the world through your eyes and love others with the same love you gave me when I didn't deserve it.
I have also recently released a handful of other songs, like "Can't Ignore It," "Canvas," and "Miss a Moment," with some great feedback and traction as well.
You share openly about the hardships of your childhood. How did that shape you into the man you are today?
Honestly, the huge impact my childhood had on my young adult life has been very challenging. Divorce and the lack of an earthly father play a massive role in a child's success in life. It's something I wouldn’t wish for anybody, but unfortunately, in our world's sinful, fallen state, it's something we see often.
If it wasn't for Jesus, I don't know where I would be right now. But I do believe that my experiences through that have helped mold and shape some positive things as a result as well. What an amazing God we serve, that He can take some of the ugliest circumstances and situations and use them for good. Through it all, it has taught me compassion, grace, mercy toward others, and the amazing love of a Heavenly Father. In the end, it has shaped some positive things in the man I am today, and that credit can only go to God.
What’s next for you musically?
Wherever God takes me or wants to go, one thing I have learned in the music industry and life, in general, is that it always goes differently than we plan. So, I have decided to do the work I am called to do and step back and let God use it as He sees fit, and I will follow where He leads.
How can we pray for you?
Just pray for guidance, peace, and trust through it all. Always keep my heart and eyes focused on Jesus through any successes or failures in life. Pray that God would do mighty work in our world through people like you and me, anyone willing to step out in faith and let God use their life for His will.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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