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Pat Barrett’s got a fire! He encourages the LifeSongs family with a Zoom into the LifeSongs Morning Show. Learn about his dad Marty – touring with Brandon Lake – and what the fire of the Holy Spirit is doing in younger generations seeking a true faith-filled life!
(Transcribed by UniScribe (https://www.uniscribe.co). )
– Your favorite musicians, exclusive interviews, local artists, all on the LifeSongs podcast. – It’s the LifeSongs morning show. I have Josh and I’m very excited to welcome via Zoom, Pat Barrett. Pat, how you doing? – Hey, doing great. Good morning. – Is Pat short for Patrick Patagonia Tree? – Yes.
Yes, it’s short for Pat with more T’s. No, I was, my actual name is Joseph. Joseph Patrick Martin Barrett. And my dad, I was like, “Dad, why didn’t you call me Joseph?” And his response was always like, “Well, I just didn’t really get around to it.” I was like, “Wait, what?” So I became, I was Patrick. And then when I was in fifth grade, there was another Patrick in our class. And my teacher was like, “I can’t do this. One of y’all has to be named something different.”
So she says, “Who’s going to be Pat?” And I just raised my hand. And then it became Pat from then on out. Your teacher couldn’t handle two Patricks in the class? See? And that’s why I’m like, did I remember that correctly? But I think I did because she was unwilling to do like the Patrick B or Patrick G thing. She wanted no last names. I don’t know why.
different time. I don’t know. Yeah, that’s just lazy. I’m 45, so, like, in every class of school, it was, there were 14 Joshes. Like, we were all Josh. Oh, yeah. Yeah. See, and that’s why I was a little surprised, because Patrick, we’re out there, but we’re not, we’re not a Josh or Steven or anything.
Ryan, you know, like we can do this. But she was like she didn’t she wanted none of that. Let’s talk about I’ve Got a Fire. The song and the album great for so many reasons. The song is is so great. The saxophone solo. Come on. Why can’t every song have a saxophone solo?
I know. I know. I’ve asked myself and I’m doing my part, okay? You are. Let the record show I’m doing my part. Your dad in the music video is the sweetest thing ever. The first time I saw the video, I immediately emailed a link to my dad so that he could watch it. It was like Field of Dreams. I just wanted to play catch. It was great. Yeah. Oh my gosh. That’s the feeling I had when we were filming it because it started off like, oh, this will be so fun and funny and joyful. And then also…
while we were filming it, I was like caught off guard by how emotional I was kind of getting. So I was like, I’m having a forever memory moment with my dad and I recognize that in real time. I also think like my kids seeing a video of their dad dancing in a fountain with his dad is such a, it’s just such a beautiful picture. And one day I hope if my kids ever asked me to do it, I’ll return the favor because
how much joy it’s brought me. So I just– Dad has also, since the music video, he’s jumped in on tour dates as well. Oh, I saw one of the live performances of him, like, working his way through the crowd. That was so great. He did that– he did that, like, four or five times during the Brandon Lake tour that we just wrapped up. It’s not only was that– was the music video such a sweet memory, it’s had this continuing fun father-son, like, experience for us. So it’s been really sweet.
I’m sure Brandon Lake was very cool with that idea because he brings his kids up on stage all the time. Oh yeah, oh yeah. Like I have video of Lake dancing with my dad while my dad’s got a cowbell. Oh my goodness. I mean, come on. There’s footage. Yeah, I mean, so it was not only like, oh, allowed. It was welcomed and encouraged and just, I mean, so wild.
I’ll tell you like every night, every night was different but definitely on that second leg like once you’ve done the tour, you’ve gone through the set that many times, you lean more into moments like that that make it that night so specific and special and different and we felt like kids out there. And I’m in my, again, I’m in my 40s so like
Getting to feel that way and to, at this point in my life, I’m still saying yes to Jesus. I’m saying yes to leaning in to the Holy Spirit and His leading and purpose and plan in my life. Like, the “I’ve got a fire” thing is just funny because Dad was such a picture of that for me growing up.
and something to model like kind of one of those like Paul like follow me as I follow Christ type things like gosh this was modeled for me like how the older I get I can still grow younger in faith and have faith like a child and grow in wisdom but never grow out of childlike faith
That’s what’s been really, really fun. And just a reminder, I felt like a kid again, you know, past six months. And I want to keep it. I want to keep that flame burning.
I’m so glad that you got to do that with your dad and that he’s been a part of this amazing season in your career, which is really cool. And how you got to feel that childlike wonder and to express yourself in that way, which for just a second, it clicked in my brain why I love the whole Sons of Sunday thing that you’re in. It’s like if the kids from the Sandlot started a worship band. Yes, yes, that feeling is…
I mean, it was like, my only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner. You know? Yeah. Because that has been…
What a great picture. I love the Sandlot. I mean, that was like my childhood. The feeling of doing something you love with people you love. When you’re doing your own thing and writing your own individual record, that’s got another joy all of its own. But when you get to do something like that and share it with guys and something that feels unique, it’s a new thing. It’s like, oh, you bring your peace. You bring your peace, your personality, the way you write, the way you see the world. And we’ve already had so many of those moments that we haven’t shared before.
behind the scenes writing song. So to kind of like let people in on that and continue, it’s the best. Is there a new Sons of Sunday project coming out? One More Day is being pushed on the radio things right now, but we’re still writing. We still write a ton and I would not be surprised. It hasn’t been recorded if that’s what you’re asking, but it’s always in the chat.
I don’t know if this song has been released for radio or not, but I was watching your performance in My Father’s Business the other day, and there’s a line that you sing a lot in the song that has just… It caught me off guard. It’s, God forgive us for times we called it praise, but it was show business. This is the heart behind the commandment of not using God’s name in vain. Our industry, the music industry, is so guilty of this all the time. Yeah.
How do you merge these two? This identity of, like, my job is to be on stage and to sing songs and to entertain, but also to lead worship and to be truly present with God. Yeah, I mean, that’s literally why I wrote the song is because I feel calling it attention is a polite word for it. It’s actually, it’s one of the things that Jesus warned the most about, and it was religious showmanship, right?
was a big deal to Jesus. Giving people the appearance of righteousness without the deep formation that happens in discipleship and walking with Jesus, which is why, I mean, when you read the Sermon on the Mount, so many of those things that he talks about have to do with no one else seeing them. So when you give,
Don’t let your one hand know what the other hand is doing. Don’t give to be seen by other people. Don’t fast to be seen. Don’t pray long, lengthy prayers and wear long, flowing robes of people. Especially in our world is a constant reality check. Why are we doing the things that we’re doing? Are you writing a song because you want to be famous? Or are you sharing a song because of the way it’s helped you in your life?
And I think that doing the internal work of like, okay, this is kind of what David prayed in the Psalms, Lord, search me and know me. You know, when I wake and when I rise, if there’d be any wicked way in me, lead me in the path everlasting. Like there’s a,
There’s a prayerfulness that, a deep prayerfulness and accountability for people who do public religious work. I think a really great way in practical terms would be for every one public moment that’s like you being the leader and sharing your spiritual songs and worship, for every one public moment,
there should be nine private ones. That’s good. So then the totality of your leaning into God and even leadership is not in front of other people. It’s behind closed doors. So then you never assume that position is more than what it really is. Because does God care about you more when the camera’s on or when the song’s out? No, He cares about you the same.
And sometimes we mix that up. And then it can get even deeper. I can open up my journal. As a songwriter, when you’re, oh, I need to write a song, I’m going to open the scriptures and I’m going to not read because I care about it, read because I need some content. Yeah, you’re mining content. Yeah. And so I think there’s that song. I’m so glad no one’s talked to me about that song, by the way. I love it. I love it. I think that’s a very abrasive…
check to myself. I don’t want to lead worship or say I’m leading worship when deep down I’m the one who wants the praise and I’m the one who wants the attention and I’m the one who wants the eyes on me. And that song is, it’s a prayer of mine. It makes me sad for the times that that’s been true. And then it’s also created a path to honesty of when I’m like, oh God, like I just, my guard was down back there and I was
I kind of lost sight of the goal. And I think there’s such mercy and grace that’s found there in repenting. And I think that’s one of the, in the song too, it’s not just about like, here’s a critique of what we’re doing. It’s like, no, here’s an invitation back to repent and to continually not take the high position to take the low one. I think when those practices are part of your life, it absolutely levels the playing field. You don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought to. And you stop
trying to get attention that actually belongs to somebody else. And I think it’s a daily walk, but I think it’s really important. The world is on fire. You got wars all over, viruses, the Met Gala, it’s all awful. The Met Gala! You just threw out the Met Gala! Yeah, I mean Zendaya didn’t even show up, so what’s the point? But every night on your tour, you get to see a very different kind of fire. You see young generations pouring their hearts out in worship.
What are you seeing that would bring hope to us? Oh, wow. Where do I even start? I am seeing a desire for authenticity that, especially in younger people, that will make you a little nervous. People are growing very disinterested in the pageantry of cultural, I want to say cultural Christianity, but I just mean like the showmanship without the deep, honest,
conversations revolving around it or people opening up their lives and sharing in real terms, not broad, how God is impacting and helping them. And some of it, I mean, I’m a songwriter, so like I care a lot about the word choice. I think oftentimes we are not practiced enough in saying the thing we actually feel. And so we end up saying things like, “Hey guys, pray for me. It’s just been a tough season,” which is true. But the Falcons had a tough season.
We can do better with how honest we are about our life. And when we’re honest about it, we can let God into it. When we’re explicit about the things that we feel, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And what I’ve found to be encouraging is when you lean into that, all of a sudden, you realize that God wants to be a part of every single area of your life.
not the showy ones. It’s funny that show business line, it’s a different, yeah, pageantry is the word. Like we’re not interested in playing church. Sure. I don’t want my kids, when my kids think about discipleship, I don’t want them to think about a building. I want them to think about a conversation with somebody who loves them and is helping share Jesus with them in their life in a way that makes an impact first. And then I also want them to think about church and all that stuff. But not only that.
So I think there’s even a more growing, there’s a hunger for that type of, there’s a leaning into that type of faith that I think really pleases the heart of God. And it makes the fire burn bright because it’s not dependent on all the other stuff. Thinking about the younger generations that bring this desire for something truly real, not something packaged, but something a little jagged, a little raw. They are probably the most
They know all the vocabulary when it comes to emotional health and mental health. They’ve been in counseling since they were two. But they bring that to the world of following Jesus and find
the truth is Jesus is God of that. He’s big enough to handle all these intense emotions and all these things. It’s not just you have to be in this box in order to experience Jesus. It’s He’s there with you. I’ve got teenagers at home, so I’m grateful that they’re entering into young adulthood in the next few years with that world present.
I’m more hopeful for them and their church experience than some of the stuff that I’ve experienced. Yeah, yeah. And I am often reminded, I mean, I’m the same way, but it’s even different for them. They have been marketed to their entire life. Right. Digitally, commercially. When Jesus and faith and spirituality feel like a marketing ploy or a means to
build some business or some brand or some other thing like that’s like you’re not going to trick them yeah so if it’s not real to you don’t think it’s going to come across as real to them and their ability to sniff that out is uncanny so and it should be a challenge to any other leader that has myself included where you’re like well if I just present it the right way then it’s going to feel like no
The invitation is to embody the things, the life that Jesus has invited us into, and not just talk about it. And you can tell, if we’re all honest, when you get around somebody and you’re like, you live this. So I think that’s the encouragement. It’s…
There’s too much on the line. Life is too precious. The invitation of God is too miraculous. There is a kingdom to participate in and talking about it and dressing it up really nicely in our Sunday’s best is not…
That’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about living a life of the life that Jesus came to show us and died and rose to display and give us like that. Like this is this is real. And that makes me really hopeful. I mean, when I say hopeful as a dad, I’m like, that’s that’s the right that’s the right conversation to be having.
Your favorite musicians, exclusive interviews, local artists, all on the LifeSongs Podcast.
(Transcribed by UniScribe (https://www.uniscribe.co). )