Genre:Contemporary

Gabriel de la Garza has always been intrigued with music.
"From a very young age I was exposed to music, whether it was my mother teaching me some little sunday school jingle or listenning to all the evangelist that passed by our church and watching them play their guitars. I was always involved with the choir or with playing some kind of music for our church worship services. I never did sing though in front of people, much less by myself in front of people."

Gabriel started taking piano lessons at the age of six. Soon after it was the drums, then the guitar.

" Piano was always my strong instrument, I learned most of my theory and ear training through playing piano. I started playing drums at the age of 9, just cause I love them. Then came the guitar at the age of 10. Sadly I never learned how to play any of them good." I was good at picking up tunes from the radio and playing them for people, and all throughout JR. High and High school I just tried to impress people rather than to please God with what He had given Me."

Gabriel was not always a singer/songwriter, he also excelled as a baseball player for a good part of his Life.

"I played baseball practically my whole life. From the day I turned five years old, till I was 23 years old. I was always a decent ball player. What's funny is that the same thing I struggled with back then, I still struggle with now. FEAR. Being that I was always one of the smallest guys on the team little leauge teams, I always looked down on myself. I always told myself I wasn't good enough, because I did not want to try to take the leap and get in front of the ball or face a great pitcher. God blessed me enough as a athlete to receive a full scholarship to University of Texas Pan American. I know this is crazy, but it had a lot to do with who I am right now. To put it plainly, I was scared to death of college. I had gotten so comfortable in High school being the big shot and receiving all these awards, which meant nothing in college. Everything was faster and everybody was bigger. I am only 5 foot 5 inches so I was really afraid. In the first day of practice my mentality quickly changed. I really felt like I had tried for so long to do things on my own and not let God take over my mind, my fears, and my emotions. I had always tried doing things on my own in sports, music, and even in my spiritual walk. That day on the field I literally changed. Knowing that I was not going to impress anyone with my strength, I had to rely on what God had given me. I knew that I wasn't there to show off my hitting skills or fielding skills, even though I was there because I was good at those things. I was there to be an example and to bring him glory."

How long did you play after that?

I got cut after the first day. Just kidding, I played four years at UTPA and two years in a semipro league in Schaumburg, Illinois. When I started to be fearless in the sports aspect, my spiritual muscles came out. Not because of my playing skills, but because I realized why I was given those talents and because of what Jesus had done for me. A perfect Sacrifice, given all for me. How can I possibly not sing."

So when did your music career kick in?

". Music had always been a part of my life, even through high school. Like I said, I grew up playing various instruments at church and I also played for a local band named RELEASE for eight years The band started in 1998 and recently parted ways. I think all that was to prepare me for what lies ahead."

You mentioned the time spent in your baseball career had a lot to do with your music career now; why is that?

"I learned to be fearless on the field and in my spiritual walk, because I realized when God promised to protect me and prosper my life it was an insult not to trust in Him. On the Music side I faced greater fears than that. I've never been a great singer and for the longest time I felt I had to sing perfect in order for God to really use me. Not so. I was always telling myself I wasn't good enough at anything musically to record a good album. I’ve been writing songs for 10 years and when I wrote the songs for this album they came very natural. I don't like when I write something just to write it. These songs were birthed in some very desperate times in my life. Some are prayers, some are cries for help, and some were just thankful moments."

What inspires your music?

I'm very passionate about what God has done for me. In that sense, Creation inpires me, His dying on the cross inspires me, and everyday life inspires me. Just waking up and seeing my wife and kids amazes me. What have I done to deserve this? "

Gabriel's songs are truly uplifting, The songs on the album take you on a spiritual journey of thanksgiving to surrendering everything to God.

What style do you fit in? or. Who are you targeting with your songs?

"I can't say it is any specific Genre or that it's targeted to any specific age group. There have been times when I write a set of lyrics and try to fit them in a driving rhythm and they just don't go. So I try to led the song speak for itself. I don't like to be complicated with my songs either. I've noticed that people can relate more to a set of lyrics that they can understand, rather than a song that you have to sit and figure out what it means."

You worked with Producer, Holger Fath on this project and let him produce the whole album. Why did you go that route?

" When I first decided to record a solo album I went to a friend's studio and we spoke about the options we had to record the album. The hows, whos, and wheres. His name got thrown in the conversation and I had no clue who he was at the time. Holger had already been a part of a few albums for artist like Rojo, Marcos Witt, Jez, and a many more. I heard a few samples of his music and I decided to give him three songs to arrange. The way he sent them back was incredible. I fell in love with his guitars and arrangements. He wanted to be a part of the whole album and arranged and produce all my songs. It was a huge financial leap because I had no Idea what it would cost to record this album. Everyone involved in this album is truly amazing. The mixing engineer JR. McNeely; The Musicians - Matt Laug, Lance Morisson, and of course Holger Fath, are truly Gifted at what they do. "

What is the Goal for your solo debut album?

"Honestly, All I want to do is be able to sing my songs in front of people and be able to have them relate to God's heart thru hearing or singing my songs. In other words, my goal in life is to be able to be able to be used in any situation by God. I don't know if my songs will be on radio or not but that is just momentary, I want to be able to leave a legacy for generations to come. God has given me so much, that I can't help but to sing and write about His Love for me. I always try to trust God and not let fear stand in my way of pleasing him. He has made everyone very unique and He expects you to use your gifts to bring Him honor. That's all I want to do is give Him everything I can without no regrets"