Opening doors to a spiritual -- yet musical -- adventure

Torus Tammer

Paula Sexsmith grew up in a family that encouraged creativity. But it

wasn’t until this singer, songwriter and pianist began a relationship

with God in 1986 that her life changed.

Fast forward 15 years. After a lot of faith, hard work and the

independent release of her first album, Sexsmith has recently signed a

long-term artist development deal with the Incubator Creative Group.

“God not only gave me all that creativity, he gave it reason too,”

Sexsmith said.

It was in 1986 at the age of 25, that the now-Fountain Valley resident

started going to the Calvary Chapel church in Murietta. There she honed

her skills as a member of the choir, and later the worship team.

“The worship team was basically a group of musicians that led the

worship service,” Sexsmith said. “When I got into the praise band, we did

concerts where I played keyboards and sang -- it was contemporary

pop/praise music.

In 1995, Sexsmith moved back to Orange County with husband Cory and

children Cheyne and Sara. It was then that she began leading a Thursday

morning women’s service at the Pacific Coast Calvary Chapel church. After

dedicating three years to this, she had to lighten up her workload in

1998. That year she started her own ministry.

Little did she know the impetus behind her ministry’s birth would also

be the force to lead her down the path of becoming a full-time recording

artist.

“A friend had told me of an orphanage in the Philippines that got

burned down, killing five children,” Sexsmith said. “After praying about

this, we decided we would make a CD for the children . . . everyone needs

a crusade I think, just doing it for the pleasure itself is not enough in

my opinion.”

Although the sentiment was there, Sexsmith admitted she didn’t know

how to take the next step. While at a worship leaders conference she met

Anthony James who, after watching her rehearse for a performance, became

mesmerized. He introduced himself and offered to help get a CD created in

any way possible. He ended up playing on one of the songs.

“Anthony’s reaction sounded like a confirmation to me and my husband,”

Sexsmith said. “So we prayed for six months while looking for studios

until finally, my sister discovered a friend [Conrad Askland] with a

studio who agreed to do the project for only $500 down.”

A pianist in his own right, Askland, owner and producer for Road

Records, the company which released Sexsmith’s CD “Worry Bout Nothin,”

said he jumped at the chance to work with the honest and talented artist.

“Out of all the artists we have coming through the studio, she was my

favorite to work with,” Askland said. “She’s very open-minded and honest

as an artist, whatever shortcomings she may have, she is willing to tell

you about them straight away.”

With the hard work of all involved, “Worry Bout Nothin” reached

completion. Over the past few years it has afforded Sexsmith the

opportunity to donate proceeds to help rebuild the orphanage in the

Philippines and partake in a two-week tour of Scotland.

Sexsmith’s new manager, Tammy Rowbotham, is proud to be associated

with her.

“We (Incubator) spend about seven months auditioning artists from all

over the country, and out of the 4,000 people who audition per year, we

only work with 100,” Rowbotham said. “Paula stood out and was very

charming. She has the talent as well as the work ethic we require. The

fact that she made it through our audition process was amazing, because

it showed us that she has the ability to adapt and rise above

circumstances.”

For now, Sexsmith is taking time to rest and be with her family before

beginning an 18-month artist boot camp process conducted by Incubator.

“This experience was definitely a step off faith for me, and I had to

take baby steps the whole way until it was done,” Sexsmith said. “If you

trust God and do the best you can, Jesus will provide the key to all

doors.”