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Here is a quick interview I did with Jill.

Hey Jill, thanks for taking the time to do this. The last time we talked you were two weeks from Tyler’s due date. You had just finished a two hour show with Andy and looked like you were ready to get off your feet so…

1. How are things these days? Have they settled down a bit?

   I am not really sure if they have settled down, but I am not home bound like you are in the early days and that is nice! He is seven weeks old today and is the sweetest, easiest little guy. Things are still a bit crazy because my oldest just started kindergarten and I am still not sleeping through the night, so we are really taking each day at a time. Andy is also working a lot on AP’s record so he is really busy too.

2. Are you still writing new material or are all of the creative songwriting energies focused on the baby?

   I am dying to write new songs which is great. At the end of my pregnancy I was just so apathetic and all my ideas were on hold but now I feel the urge to write. Once things settle down I should be able to devote a couple of days to working on stuff for the new CD. I think I have about 4-5 songs that are done or almost done but I am anxious to get the rest done so I can record this winter.

3. The songs you write are so honest and relatable, will you continue that same path with the next project?

   I hope I am getting more and more honest as a songwriter. There is really nothing to lose and no label to please, so I really just write what I want. It is great to lose a lot of the self-imposed boundaries.

I think you and Andy should do a kids record. I know that’s had to have crossed your mind.

We had thought about it, but I don’t know if we can top Slugs and Bugs.

4. Are you gonna take it easy (tour wise) until Andy Peterson’s Christmas tour or will you tour some?

   I have actually been booking shows for this fall, but mainly on weekends. It is hard to do big tours these days with children so I mainly travel on weekends where I can be with them all week. I really love that schedule because it gives me the chance to work and stay at home, the best of both worlds.

5. Do you find it easy or difficult, lifestyle wise juggling husband, family, and career with you and Andy both being full time singer/songwriters?

   Right now it is incredibly difficult but most of the time it is just difficult! It is a challenge to juggle it all, I will be honest, but I don’t know any other way. We wanted a family and we feel called to write and travel and sing so we will always be negotiating what that looks like for us. I think it moves in seasons, some very busy and some home more. It is definitely an interesting life!

6. What are some things God is teaching you right now?

   God is teaching me that I love sleep and I want more of it. OK, so seriously, I think having a new baby and two young kids teaches me a lot about control. I like order and control and occasional peace and quiet and these days are full of sacrifice. He is teaching me to be more selfless and reminding me that nothing I sacrifice could compare to His sacrifice.

7. Is everything in the SPA kosher? I still love the camraderie between all of you!

   Oh, absolutely. A few members left because of trying to distance themselves from the CCM label, something that can really hurt you in the mainstream. We all know that the SPA artists aren’t traditional CCM artists and had little success there, but mainstream promoters who are booking a show don’t know that. They search an artist and see CCM and think, “Yikes, I am not booking them in my club!” That is the sad reality. CCM will always be linked to the SPA because of the publications who have written stories about it and some of our histories in Christian music. Even though the SPA is just a group of songwriters we didn’t want this to hinder anyone’s careers in ANY way. The purpose of the SPA was only to help and it will continue to be that. There was absolutely no animosity and everyone is in complete agreement. I think we will still do some shows together as well, it will just be a less public association.

8. What good music have you listened to lately? Anything influential or worth sharing?

   I still love the David Mead Indiana record and listen to that consistently. I haven’t loved a full record that much in a very long time. I am also listening to the new Crowded House record a lot. I adore Neil Finn and anything he does and have always loved that band.

9. Do you have any huge future plans, say the next 6-12 months?

   I want to write for and record a CD and do some traveling- nothing that huge but if I can do that it will feel like a big accomplishment.

Thanks Jill, for taking the time.

Thanks to you and all the SPA supporters, we are so thankful for you guys!