In this captivating episode, host Chrysandra Brunson invites the multifaceted artist Billy Gaines to The Calling’s radio show. Billy shares his journey from being a handyman to landing a pivotal role in Kathy Lee Gifford’s movie ‘The Way,’ inspiring listeners with his unwavering faith and resilience. Listen as Billy recounts how divine orchestration and perseverance led him to extraordinary musical and acting opportunities.
Welcome, everyone, to The Calling’s radio show to all the dreamers. I’m your radio host, Chrysandra Brunson, founder and CEO of The Calling. It is such an honor to be with all of you today. You know, at The Calling, we have realized that so many people are afraid to go after the dreams that God has put on their hearts because they are afraid to fail. But that’s just plain wrong because if God has given us a dream and we’re not living it out, we are wasting it and we do not want to die with regret. The calling understands fear and we’ve been afraid too, but we’ve been able to push through and so can you. We like to inspire, empower, and equip people to live out God’s dream for their lives, to know that they can have a long lasting legacy and have immediate impact on themselves and family to fulfill their calling. We know that this can happen through lots of different custom tools and programs, including global conferences, workshops, and seminars. But we love doing that through this radio show and having incredible guests like we do today. The one and only Billy Gaines. Billy, welcome.
BILLY GAINES :
Thank you, Chrisanda. I’m so glad to be here and to be able to just inspire people once again.
CHRYSANDRA :
You are back. We are so glad, Billy, that you came back.
BILLY GAINES :
I’m glad to be back.
CHRYSANDRA :
Everyone just loved your show so much, too. They were so inspired and was just getting so much feedback of just hearing your heart and being transformed. So I can’t wait for all the lives that are going to be changed today.
BILLY GAINES :
Amen to that.
CHRYSANDRA :
In case people did not hear the first show, can you just tell us about some of the titles underneath your name? First started off as son of God and husband and father. But from there, what does that look like?
BILLY GAINES :
Well, I mean, my titles, I mean, I’m a recording artist, songwriter, and an actor also.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes, I love it. Billy, we’re just so excited. Can you just catch everyone up about just a little bit about your journey, your background, and where you are today?
BILLY GAINES :
Well, you know, my background has been in Christian music primarily. And the most recent thing that I did would be the, you know, playing and singing the role of Moses in the Kathy Lee Gifford movie, The Way. That’s the biggest thing that’s happened for me recently. Yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
That is just so powerful. And we’re excited to hear more details about that, Billy, about what it’s been like to be on set for that show and that movie and to play that role of Moses. But you have just such a pure heart and a heart for the Lord. And just growing up, With that pure heartedness, the Lord has just elevated you to penetrate all different walks of life and to touch people’s lives everywhere. And Billy, you have to share this story really quick about how you eventually met or how you came across Kathy Lee Gifford of the Lord, just putting that all together.
BILLY GAINES :
I’ll share that. Well, I was working basically as a handyman doing things like electrical assembly and installations, flat screen televisions and, you know, light fixtures, that kind of thing. And so I was working for Tackle and I got a call from the CEO of the company, Greg McCollum, and he wanted me to work for his wife, Angie, in Franklin, Tennessee. And I hesitated at first because I thought, you know, if I mess this job up, the CEO is looking at me. But I took it. And so I headed down to Franklin, Tennessee. And when I got there, Angie met me outside the back of this brownstone. And we went in. Well, actually, she told me first, she said, well, actually, this job isn’t for me. It’s actually for one of my clients. And Greg chose you because you’re the number one provider for tackle in the country. And that just blew me away. I had no idea. I actually thought otherwise because of some other things. That’s a whole other story. And so anyway, we get there and we go up to the second floor. and this brownstone, I get off the elevator and Angie, you know, she gets off before me when I get off and I’m looking around because she’s beautiful, first of all. And so she goes, and this is my client, Billy, this is Kathy. And I turned to my left and it’s Kathy McGifferson there. It was just like, how can I believe this is happening, you know? I mean, within a matter of seconds, she asked me what my last name was. When I told her Gaines, she recognized me as Billy Gaines of Billy and Sarah Gaines. We were a Christian duet. And she goes, I love your music and so forth and so on. And in this place, there was nothing but a black baby grand piano on this beautiful hardwood floor. The next thing out of Angie’s mouth is, don’t you play? Yes, I do. So within minutes, here I am. I’m sitting there. I’m playing. I started singing songs, and then Kathleen starts to sing along with me, and then we were worshiping, and she’s running and grabbing lyrics and putting them in front of me to try to get me to write lyrics, to write music to her lyrics. And it really began, it really was a wonderful day, quite frankly, because later on that evening, all the McCullough family came over, and they asked me to sing again. I forgot to tell the story. They asked me to sing again. And so I ended up doing a mini concert for everybody. No chairs, nothing in here. They’re on the floor eating pizza, right? Boy, I’m singing and I’m singing. And the next thing you know, I sang one of my songs, I was out of a strow. And when I get to that song, Katharine goes, you wrote that one, didn’t you? I say, yeah. She said, I can tell. And she already knew about some of my heartache. You know, my wife, Chrissy, had died of cancer. And Sarah was Sarah. My ex-wife was dying of cancer. And so she so she really felt for me at that moment. She said, well, Billy came here to to work, but he really came here for us to pray for him. And so she gathered everybody around me and she laid hands on me and started praying over me and praying that God would do all these things in my life. And the one thing I remember about that moment is that just how hot her hands was. It was just, I mean, they really bathed me in love and concern. They really did. I forgot to tell that last time, but that was part of it. That was later on in the day though. So yeah, that’s how it all happened. And then, you know, that was October the 27th of 2018. I mean, October the 25th of 2019, I’m auditioning for the role of Moses. And November 6th, I’m in the studio recording the song. And then October the 24th of 2020, I actually did a little filming for the movie. So, yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Billy, that is so incredible. Well, I just love that. God just made it all like orchestrated all those details that you didn’t even have to go to a different level or let alone like a different, like walk through a hallway or anything. The piano was set up right there.
BILLY GAINES :
Well, it was absolutely a setup from the Lord. And that’s the wonderful thing that I’ve enjoyed about walking with him is that he has caused things to happen for me that I know absolutely orchestrated by him. And he’s doing it even. And it seems like it’s increasing at this time in my life, which is a wonderful thing to walk with him and to see him cause those things to happen. And all of us should have that hope. You know, I mean, if you look at all the characters in the Bible, all of them had the same experience. God went before them. And he created a situation for them. He created the circumstances. He caused it to happen.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah, to walk with that expectation and that joy and that confidence that he is making all things work out for our good. And you walk like that, and it’s such an inspiration to all of us. And just even hearing that story, but there’s countless others.
BILLY GAINES :
Oh, I’ve got a million of them.
ADVERTISER :
Oh!
CHRYSANDRA :
I can’t wait to hear all about them. And so Billy, so she invited you, Kathy invited you to go on to her movie and tell us about that movie and then the role that you played in the songs that you sing.
BILLY GAINES :
Yes, I played and sang the role of Moses, and the song that I sang was The God of the How and When. And basically what that says is that God controls how it happens, and he controls when it happens. And really, a lot of what this particular portion was how long it took, from one character to another, the amount of time in before the time that God made a promise and the time that that promise actually came into existence. And so… Yeah, that’s a very powerful message. And so, yes, I mean, you know, the filming was quite an ordeal because it was at Antelope Island Park, Utah, but it was freezing.
CHRYSANDRA :
It was freezing? Yeah. Really?
BILLY GAINES :
Yeah. And I was okay as long as I had that robe thing on my arms. And he asked me to take that off. I tell you, it was like, I couldn’t, I could barely stand it. I looked at myself in the film and I saw myself frowning. I thought to myself, you’re frowning because you’re cold.
CHRYSANDRA :
You’re freezing.
BILLY GAINES :
It was freezing all day. I’m like, oh, here we go. So, but I had to look like I was normal as much as I could, you know? Some things you really can’t hide if you’re in pain and physical pain. It was very cold that day. As a matter of fact, the next morning, there was a cold front coming in, and when I flew out the next morning, it was snowing.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. Billy, so for people that don’t know much about The Way, what would you say is a summary of the movie?
BILLY GAINES :
Well, the movie really is about, it’s about, it’s a journey through the Bible from one character to another to show the connection of it all and to show God’s faithfulness and to show how he had it all planned. You know, here again, it’s much like my life. It’s a movie about, you know, how the God created a way for all of mankind to be redeemed back to himself. It’s about redemption.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. And Kathy Lee Gifford had this dream of making this movie for quite some time, and then she finally did, or…?
BILLY GAINES :
I’m not sure, but she wrote it, though, and she narrates it also. And, you know, it goes from Abraham to myself, Moses, and then to, you know, right on up through the product, right up to the prodigal. The last scene is the prodigal son and his father. And so it tells a whole story of salvation, starting from the Old Testament through to the to the end of the Bible. Fifteen different characters. Yeah. And I have seen different singers.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes. Well, I have seen, I mean, just your role in it, Billy has been so powerful and just encourage everyone to go watch that. And especially just keep rewatching Billy and his, his, Just your voice is anointed to be able to change lives. And that’s just one example of the many examples that you’ve had throughout going on and following the Lord. But now, Billy, so is it that you’re getting nominated for all these awards?
BILLY GAINES :
Is that right? Yeah. The Lord has really just blown my mind. Yes! You know, I got one of my songs up for consideration to be a nominee for the Grammys. And I had a song with Don Ricks that was nominated for the Josie Awards. It was a duet that I did with Freddie. It was another one we actually won in, I think it was somewhere over in Europe. I can’t even remember where it was right now. But Yeah, I mean, the Lord has really astonished me with these songs, especially on the independent. the independent church in Europe. I’ve gone to number one and stayed there for like a whole month. So it’s been amazing. And here again, God has given me brand new platforms to be able to touch people. Because I just believe that whatever platform I’m on, whether it’s a love song or whether it is one of my gospel songs, it is still ministry for me because I’m touching people’s hearts. If I can sing a song that inspires a couple to love one another, that’s a good thing.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes, it is. Billy, we’re going to pause right there. We need to take a short break, but we’ll be right back. We thank everybody for tuning in to all the Dreamers radio show today. We are so glad to have Billy Gaines on with us. Stay tuned. We’ll be right back. Twist and shout with Lee & Co. They are the premier oldies band delivering the rock and roll vibes you’ve been missing. Great songs, great memories. Book them at LeeAndCo.com. Hi guys, this is Chrysandra Brunson, host of To All The Dreamers. I am so happy to introduce personal training, nutritional guidance, and behavioral change coaching. Healthy, happy, and heavenly for your wellness, spirit, soul, and body. Contact Mimi Kroger at healthyhappyandheavenly.com. Continue to grow in the calling God has for you through ORU Online. You can earn your degree without changing your busy schedule. 100% online and 100% on your time. Learn more today. ORU.edu slash calling. At Ignite Brilliance Coaching, you will get 34 years of science teaching, a decade of university level instruction and over 10 years of instructional coaching to empower educators with the tools, mindset and confidence to thrive. Contact Ignite Brilliance Coaching on Facebook. This is The Calling on Crawford Broadcasting, the show where marketplace leaders share their stories of faith, bridging the gap between your career and your God-given calling. Listen every weekday or become a sponsor and help other people live out their God-given calling. We are back. Thank you for tuning into all the dreamers radio show. We have the one and only Billy Gaines on with us. And Billy, you were just sharing right before we got cut off there that any song, whether it’s a love song or a gospel song is meant to be able to change lives. And God has gone before you to show you that. And as this continues to touch millions and You’re currently Grammy nominated, correct?
BILLY GAINES :
It’s the first round of the Grammy consideration for four nominations. I don’t know where it’s going. I don’t know where it’s going to be and where the final nominees will be. But at least I’m in the running. That’s the first time this ever happened for me. Well, that’s huge.
CHRYSANDRA :
And it’s gone all around the world to win different awards and awards. We are just, we’re so grateful for your heart, Billy, of just wanting it to impact and inspire hearts.
BILLY GAINES :
And like I said before, you know, I mean, the one qualifier for me is lyrical content. I’m not going to say anything that is in direct opposition of scriptural principle. So, you know, that’s the qualifier for me for the lyrical content.
CHRYSANDRA :
Would you want to sing one of the songs from the way that you sing? Just, you could give us like a 15 second…
BILLY GAINES :
touch of it oh lord out of all the men on this earth who are we you’ve chosen me but i’m unworthy to see I have goosebumps.
CHRYSANDRA :
And Billy, I’m picturing what you look like as Moses when you sing that. And now we know it was Utah, but it looks like it was in Egypt.
BILLY GAINES :
And they chose different places around the world. They chose places in Utah and in Texas that look like the Holy Land.
CHRYSANDRA :
That is so cool.
BILLY GAINES :
I couldn’t tell. If you would have asked me where that was, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.
CHRYSANDRA :
Well, Billy, we wanted, you know, there was today, it was just laid on your heart to talk about when your dreams die, what we’re meant to do. And, you know, you were on one track, didn’t know how God would open up different doors to then meet Kathie Lee Gifford and her wanting you to be on this upcoming movie but also there’s times where there are just there’s these journeys where we keep on hitting the dead end or seemingly dead end and the valleys and what do we do when our dream dies
BILLY GAINES :
Well, I just say when your dream dies, you just simply have to trust God to resurrect it. I mean, the thing you have to remember is that if God has spoken to you, he is for you, nobody can be against you. And if he has purposed what’s going to happen in your life, you can know for sure that it will come to pass. The issue is the waiting. That’s the hardest part. The issue is the uncertainty, what’s going to happen and so forth and so on. So, yeah, that’s the hardest part of it all.
CHRYSANDRA :
What has kept you steadfast in the midst of pain and heartache and the valleys and, you know, just sharing a little bit of your story with really close, intimate passings in your life of death. I mean, to walk through that is pretty incredible.
BILLY GAINES :
Yeah. Well, I mean, the other thing that I do is I make sure that I keep showing up daily, but I consult God. There is nothing wrong with saying, Lord, I just want to make sure I’m still on track. This is still what I’m supposed to be doing, because if it isn’t, Lord, I’m yielded. So if you want to change the GPS and send me somewhere else, then I’m fine with that, Lord. I just want to be yielded and I want to be obedient. So I just think that the key to really succeeding at anything is to acknowledge God in all of your ways and then allow him to direct your steps. And he’s promised to do that.
CHRYSANDRA :
Billy, can you take us to a moment where you were walking through a valley and then saw that shift happening when you least expected it?
BILLY GAINES :
Yes. One of the things that happened, we were with Benson Records, and we came to the place where we wanted to work with producer Michael Amartian, who’s a very famous producer. But I was in a prayer group at his house, got to know him well, and I really wanted to work with him. But the record company said, no, you cannot afford him. And so I just really saw God’s face because I felt like they were giving up on us. And I asked God to open the doors. Well, the Lord is infinite wisdom. I was praying about that one day. I got a call from the attorney and he told me, he said, Billy, I think I have an answer for you. They flew me down to Texas. I got down to Texas. I talked to this guy, I talked to these people, and they basically said they wanted to buy out my contract. And so he came to Nashville. We were sitting at breakfast, and he writes out a $60,000 contract check to answer to me as if he was handing me a napkin. And it just blew me away. But that was the opening door for us to be with Warner Brothers Records. And then that turned into me going to work for the Austin Wranglers Arena football team. And the guy who worked there was the one who was an engineer. And he promised me to work on my hymns record. So we did one record, which is a come on back record with Warner Brothers. But out of that situation, the same guy who was the head of the company When all of that kind of fell apart, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. And he was at a church there, James Jamison, basketball player. It was a church, every nation church. Anyway, he had me to come there and sing. And I went there and that evening, because I already had the tracks for this album, my 10,000 Angels record, I went and I did all 10 songs in one evening. It was like completely live. Wow. And all in one evening in the back of a church and a perfectly, perfectly acoustic room with pro tools. And it was done. It’s amazing. He just, he did that, you know, and Bernie Herms had played at Bernie Herms, who is Natalie Grant’s husband. He had played piano, piano, but he did that five years before I did the recording. So, yeah. So you’re talking about something that they can, yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah, I did it. That is so phenomenal. Just to see all those different stories and just the realignment to be able to keep on moving forward is so powerful. So, Billy, what would your answer be if you knew you could not fail? What do you feel like God is stirring in your heart for this upcoming season?
BILLY GAINES :
if I knew I couldn’t fail, I want to be on the largest platforms around this world as I possibly can. I dream of singing in arenas, feeling all the, I love singing on gigantic pieces. It sounds wonderful. I just have to tell you. And the bigger the crowd, the better. I just want to, I want to stand before as many people as I possibly can and affect as many people as I possibly can all around this world. So that’s my dream. That’s what I’m bringing and believing God for, a bigger platform.
CHRYSANDRA :
It’s going to happen, Billy. You’re going to be on huge arenas. You already have been, but to continue just that influence and that power and anointing of just change. And like, Billy, you’re one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. And a lot of people think that you shrink down when you want to get humble, but humility is really allowing God to just burst forth and just Spread his light and shine as bright as possible. It’s not to get tucked into a corner, but it is to be able to go before as many people as possible.
BILLY GAINES :
Absolutely. Humility is a mindset and it’s not a physical posture. And what I’ve learned that humility, genuine humility is the same thing that you know that it’s God and it’s not you. That’s all you need. You know that you’re there because that’s the mindset that God can bless and he can use. No matter how gifted you are, you still remember he gave you that gift. So it all still belongs to him. And I don’t care if you’re smart or if you have, if you have the work ethic to practice hard, that came from him also. Everything comes from him. Every good and perfect gift comes from the father above. So.
CHRYSANDRA :
Well, I think that’s such a great reminder to know that this season coming out of the pandemic, to be able to get back into that realignment, to be able to know we need to be where we can shine the brightest. So for that mindset, though, Billy, we, I mean, here at The Calling, we just love helping people to know that God is such a dreamer and he has so much more. Like he wants us to be those influencers and world leaders to touch the nations.
BILLY GAINES :
Absolutely. Without a doubt. Yes. And you see the pattern in everybody from Joseph to Daniel. And, you know, they went in at exiled as prisoners and slaves. And then they rose to positions of authority. God wants to infiltrate a lot of the systems of this world with these people.
CHRYSANDRA :
Billy, what do you feel like is your, because you have so many fingerprints all around the world, what would you say is happening in humanity right now? What are people craving? What’s stirring in the world?
BILLY GAINES :
Well, I mean, that’s a hard question for me to answer. It really is because I don’t really have a handle on that concept. And this is all I know. I can only be what I am. And I just fit in. I mean, it’s like it’s all like a puzzle piece. Well, I’m probably right in here somewhere. There’s a whole bunch of other people that, you know, that we’re all, you know, fitly joined together. But we all have a particular purpose. And everybody’s a little bit different. So but what I do know above all what I am, I’m an encourager.
CHRYSANDRA :
You are such an encourager, Billy. And we’re coming up towards the end of our show, Billy. It goes by so fast. And we would love for you to come back soon. But today, what would you say would be the biggest tip and wisdom for someone that feels stuck in their calling? They’ve asked themselves what they would do if they knew they couldn’t fail, but they have no idea how to do it. They know that God’s put it on their heart, but they just don’t know.
BILLY GAINES :
Well, I just say this. You don’t know what the next step is. Just make sure that whatever it is that you understand at this point, do that. For me, in the years that I waited, I didn’t, when things weren’t happening for me, I didn’t have a control of the things that weren’t happening, but the things that were under my control, I had that. Know what that was for me? It was preparation. It was being ready. It was practicing. It was whatever your gift is, whatever your dream is, you have to make yourself ready. If it means education, if it means studying, if it means just preparing yourself, just stay ready. That’s really my biggest advice to anyone.
CHRYSANDRA :
Billy, that is so powerful of just being ready in the waiting season and to know that we’re not in control of other people, but we’re in control of ourselves. And I’ve been learning about that recently and just heard that in a lot of different hearts that we can only make it, we can’t control anyone else, but we can make them, we can shine bright ourselves and every single day doing that. And thank you so much for that wisdom. And Billy, we, we know that everyone wants to stay in touch with you and to encourage you and invite. Who knows who’s tuning in right now, but Billy would be the most phenomenal performer for any event, global, national. Let’s make these dreams come alive, people. How can I get in touch with you, Billy?
BILLY GAINES :
The best way is through my website. Okay. If you go to BillyGaines.com, there’s a place where you can send me messages directly, and it’ll come directly to my email. And it’s encrypted, it’s safe, and all that kind of stuff.
CHRYSANDRA :
That’s a good plug-in just to mention, just in case. And Billy, can you say the website one more time?
BILLY GAINES :
Or it’s BillyGaines.com. Just B-I-L-L-O-R-G-A-I-N-E-S dot com.
CHRYSANDRA :
Perfect. BillyGaines.com.
BILLY GAINES :
L-L-Y, not L-L-I-E.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes, and we need to clarify that to make sure that everyone that tries to doesn’t get, you know, or just one L. You never know nowadays with names, but…
BILLY GAINES :
That’s true. That is true.
CHRYSANDRA :
Billy, we just we thank you so much for your heart that you are like family to the calling and I and to this radio show and to everyone tuning in. You have touched all of our lives and we thank you. We welcome everyone to stay in touch with us. billy and our other guests at the calling nonprofit.org you can listen to past episodes all of our radio shows are transferred to our podcast and so you can re-listen hear pause jot down notes of what people have said to touch your life and Billy’s today, you want to rewind and hear once it becomes a podcast here. So we, we welcome that. And again, that’s the calling nonprofit.org and you can activate your callings there. We have activation sheets, dream kits, the callings to all the dreamers book. We want you to know that you can live out God’s dream on your life till next time. Dreamer keep dreaming big.
