The Dare Dreamer Movement by Julene Fleurmond

“God plants dreams in your heart and in your soul for a reason…” – t.Jay

Growing up, t.Jay (TJ Pompeo) had a devastating experience that could’ve permanently skewed his spiritual vision. Thankfully, through a myriad of circumstances he realized that the only way to truly see clearly was to keep his eyes focused on the Cross and to give his life and dreams to the One who set him free…

Editor’s Music Pick: Below take a listen to t.Jay’s song “Tomorrow” (ft. Corbett) about waiting on God’s timing for your life and dreams. It’s one of my personal faves from t.Jay’s album The Pre View that you can download here for free.

At age 15, t.Jay embraced his passion for music and started stepping into the rhythm and purpose God placed in his heart by producing and writing songs. As he matured and honed his craft doors started to open for him to share his music on a wider scale. During the summer of 2011, he was discipled by Cross Movement Records group Level 3:16 and embarked on a tour around the nation. Since then, t.Jay has traveled the world, touring in England, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Uruguay, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and many more, and he’s had the privilege of sharing stages with many incredible artists like Da T.R.U.T.H. (check out a video of them performing together below).

t.Jay joins in on Da T.R.U.T.H’s song “Hunger Games” at the Impact12 Conference:

I first came across t.Jay’s music through the Impact Movement (an amazing organization we’ve been supporting for the past few years on Dream in Soul) and we’ve previously posted t.Jay’s song with Level 3:16, LOVE. The fresh vibe he brings (he describes as a mixture of hip hop pop, soul and R&B that can’t be put in a box) and sound messages in his music will impact people of all ages. In this candid interview t.Jay tells us about his journey, overcoming a tough experience in his childhood and how he’s learned to trust God with his life and dreams. Here’s just a preview into what makes his heart – and music – beat…

Dream in Soul: We know you do music, but music isn’t who you are- so let’s start off with who is t.Jay? How would you introduce yourself to us, where are you from, what moves you, etc.?

t.Jay: Right, so like you said, “t.Jay” is my artist name and that’s what fans know me by. Everybody who’s known me for a while just calls me TEEJ. TJ is my real name, and it IS short for something, but you’ll only know what the “T” stands for if you’re friends with me on Facebook. =D I’m 22 years young. I’ve got roots in Long Island, NY, but I was raised in the small city of Harrisonburg, VA. I’m all about family, and the one that I have is absolutely amazing. They’ve all been so key in getting me to where I am as a young man and as an artist. I’m also big on family because I’m very Italian. It’s just who we are. One big happy (and loud) family. Along with my family, my friends and my mentors are equally as incredible. They’ve without a doubt been my motivation through life, music and all. They encourage me consistently, and I’m so grateful for them. What else??? Hmmm. I love cheese sticks, having slap-boxing fights with my friends, and collecting rainbow colored gumballs (JUST kidding… Kind of). My favorite show is the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Denzel is by far my favorite actor. One of my goals in life is to visit all 7 continents. Oh, and I’m a sucker for romantic comedies. Sorry fellas.

Dream in Soul: Can you give some background about your story and how you came to know Christ, how you got started in making music then transitioned to dedicating it to God? Did you start out writing music & producing on your own or were there people instrumental in mentoring you? (Can you also share the significance of the way you write your artist name?).

That’s a long one, but I’ll try to not write a novel. As far as my artist name goes, like you said, there is a story behind the way I’ve decided to spell it. When you think of a capitalized letter, it typically symbolizes something of importance, or something that has significance. Someone’s name, celebrities, the name of a city or state, a type of car, a notable product brand, etc. I decided to make the “t” in my artist name lowercase and the “J” uppercase because I wanted it to symbolize that I have no significance without Jesus. TJ is nothing without Jesus. The “J” in my artist name represents Jesus Christ in me. It’s the only letter capitalized in my artist name because of what I stated above… His name is and always will be more significant than ANY other name to ever exist. My own obviously included. To put it simply… I suck without Jesus.

My story has a very common beginning though. I grew up in church, but never fully understood the concept of actually “walking with” or “following” Christ until I was 18. My life prior to 18 was full of bitterness and anger towards God, mainly due to things that occurred in my upbringing as a little boy.

When I was 8 years old, I was sexually molested by someone who I knew very well. It was absolutely devastating… That event would prove to shape who I would be for the next 10 years of my life. From the ages of 8-13, every single day was a Christian version of Halloween for me. I would wear the mask of Christianity on the exterior to appear like a “good kid,” but on the interior I was angry and I could have cared less about God or Jesus. When I was 14, I decided that I was sick of wearing the mask.. I wanted to live “my” life the way I wanted to live it and ultimately do what I wanted to do. This is also the age where I started experimenting with the typical peer pressures: Party scene, alcohol, drugs, chasing girls, etc. At this time, I also noticed that I really enjoyed the musical genres of Hip-Hop and R&B. All of my family was/is musically inclined (my dad, all three of my older siblings, and all six of my older cousins). They all played a significant role in getting me started with writing music…

“Just keep believing you’ll see a new season soon. You’re turning into something amazing; Baby, you were born to bloom…
I wish you could see you were made for more, and your wildest dreams can’t compare to what God’s got in store…” -Moriah Peters, from the song “Bloom”

Came across this video for Moriah Peters’ song Bloom and was inspired by the message and creativity. Listen and let the lyrics nourish your heart and get a free download of the song at Moriah’s website. The song is from her album “I Choose Jesus” which you can get from iTunes by clicking here. When I learned about Moriah’s music a few months ago I was pleasantly surprised by the refreshing, soothing sound and her heart for staying true to her message and mission, you won’t regret checking it out!

Have you ever heard
You are beautiful
I know what you’re worth
But you don’t see it at all
After the rain has fallen down
The sun comes out

Just keep believing you’ll see a new season soon
You’re turning into something amazing
Baby, you were born to bloom
Bloom, bloom, bloom

I wish you could see
You were made for more
And your wildest dreams
Can’t compare to what God’s got in store
Someday soon you’ll kiss the sky
Like a butterfly

Just keep believing you’ll see a new season soon
You’re turning into something amazing
Baby, you were born to bloom
Bloom, bloom, bloom [x2]

You were made, you were made to bloom
You were made to bloom [x4]
Bloom, bloom

Debby Ryan, one of my favorite actresses (from Disney’s “Jessie,” “16 Wishes,” the inspiring film “What If” which I posted about previously, and other shows and movies) is having a contest to design the artwork for her new song cover. I love Debby’s eccentricity (her Tweets will make you smile and think), creative focus and how she’s a storyteller who enjoys expressing herself in a variety of ways, from acting to music and fashion, to impact others.

Update:

Guess who won Debby Ryan’s Cover Artwork Contest? Go check out her Facebook page to see the above winning design! *Happy dance,* am I dreaming?

Debby’s cover is with another inspiring singer Brenna Whitaker who has an ongoing Jazz Night show at the W Hollywood Hotel (I’m just getting acquainted with her work which has been lauded by so many. She says on her site, “Throughout my life, I’ve often felt like I was born in the wrong time, but now, I feel like I was born in this era for a reason.”).

Debby & Brenna’s video cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is premiering on Debby’s Youtube Channel on December 1st . The picture they took on set was a great spark of inspiration for a spooky, vintage-y look – I had to stop myself at 16 designs or I’d be going all night… Watch the cool one-take cover video of Superstition below:

Debby on Her Superstition Cover & Meeting Brenna Whitaker

Hello beauties.

So I’ve done it again. I’ve gone singing with my friends, got a video camera, and made a little tape for you people. I just think one of the best things ever is making music with people you look up to. Brenna Whitaker headlines [and absolutely slays] Jazz Night every week at the world famous W Hotel in Hollywood. She’s an unreal vocalist, a hilariously captivating performer, and has quickly become one of my favourite people. Singing with her was a dream come true & I can’t wait to share her with the rest of the world. I’m all set to put our jam on my channel on DECEMBER 1st, but first it’s time to put the “You” in YouTube. Here’s a photo of us shooting the spooky video; I want to see what you do with it. The contest is open from Monday, Nov. 26th through Thursday, Nov. 29th & I’ll choose the winner Friday.

Check out some of my fave song covers by Debby below: a duet with Nick Santino singing Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (I love the pure soothing acoustic sweetness) and a cover of “Guilty As Charged” by Gym Class Heroes feat. Estelle with a group of her friends, (a cool acoustic jam with a touch of street:).

More Superstition Song Cover Artwork Entries

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This song “Pieces of Me” by Ledisi (which was Grammy-nominated this year by the way) is so uplifting and beautiful, and a great anthem for Women’s History Month:




In the Lyrics
People just don’t know what I’m about
They haven’t seen what’s there behind my smile
There’s so much more of me I’m showin out
(These are the pieces of me)

When it looks like I’m up sometimes I’m down
I’m alone even when people all around,
But that don’t change the happiness I found
(These are the pieces of me)

[Chorus:]
So when you look at my face
You gotta know that I’m made of everything love and pain
(These are the pieces of me)
Like every woman I know…

I can run the business and make time for fantasy
(These are the pieces of me)
Now I’m gonna make mistakes from time to time
But in the end believe that I’m gone fly

I’m a woman…
These are the pieces of me…

I only first heard music from Kina Grannis a few months back but her soft, refreshing sound already makes her one of my favorites! Since it’s February 14, here is her song Valentine – it’s so sweet and the video is just as creative as what we’ve always seen from Kina: