Savvy Salsa Gospel Star Sings Message of Victory over Struggle

Linda Agosto is a New Yorker with rhythm, style and big dreams. Agosto is a singer/songwriter who infuses her lyrics and music with life experience and faith. Her Puerto Rican roots season her performances with Caribbean flair. Her faith in God is the overpowering force behind her music. With a powerful voice to match her purpose, Linda Agosto recorded her debut album entitled “Linda” that mixes modes of music from traditional Gospel, R&B and Hip Hop to a praise-filled blend of sanctified salsa. Sharing the stage, praising God with Ministers and Psalmists like T. D. Jakes, Zachary Tams, R. W. Shambach, R. J. Washington, Liston Paige and Martha Munizzi, Linda Agosto holds her own. Featured on the TBN show “Praise the Lord,” the 700 Club and Vida Dura (the Spanish language 700 Club), Linda Agosto shares her passion for the Lord with an extensive audience, including large events across the United States at political inaugurations, Chaplain Graduationsand concerts honoring the victims of September 11th. Linda Agosto is a consummate performer with power, passion and perseverance. She is ready to takeon the responsibility of ministering with her special brand of music to a crossover audience and has the talent to make musical miracles happen.

In your music I hear your Puerto Rican roots but you infuse other elements as well, give us a brief history of the evolution of Linda Agosto.

As far back as I can remember even before I was a Christian, Gospel music always touched the inner parts of my soul. I can remember walking past the Baptist church and listening to old spirituals being sung with such soul that would often leave me wondering why I felt the way I did. While in High School, although History was my least favorite subject, the struggles the slaves endured always captured my attention. The question  of how can someone be chained up , in the hot sun, with little or nothing to eat yet, sing with such a voice of freedom always left me pondering.Therefore, my music is derived from freedom from struggle and bondage. My vision is that my voice would permeate the souls of individuals and that people would be delivered and set free from bondage.

You are an independent artist and the music industry is very different landscape today how are you poised to take control of your career and adapt with the changing times?

I plan on taking control of my career by continuing to evolve, reinventing myself becoming a key person in society and maintaining individuals engaged by embedding myself into the fabric of society. In addition to singing, song writing in
both English and Spanish, acting, community involvement, motivational speaking,professional Counselor are all on the horizon for Linda Agosto.

You and your husband Rafael are partners how do you handle marriage, ministry and music? And how do you pass these ideals along to your children?

Staying in communion with the Lord is the key to managing all things. Our relationship with the Lord is such that before we do anything, we go to the Lord in prayer for direction. As far as our children we as parents are a walking testimony to them and therefore, they themselves have experienced firsthand of how the Lord has preserved our family life even through many trials and obstacles. Our children have been taught how to seek the Lord at all times so that
in the time of trouble they do not feel like strangers when approaching the Lord.

You are a singer as well as a songwriter tell us about your process in melody first lyrics? What type of themes do you cover in your music?

My inspiration for the melody of a song is based on what I hear audibly when I am writing the song. The lyrics which usually come to me while in prayer or mediation before the Lord come from personal trials, tribulations or simply from gratitude towards the Lord. The message portrayed in my music is overcoming and trusting in the Lord to see us through.
 

You and Rafael are part of a phenomenal event taking place on October 6, 2012; can you tell us the concept and what the concert is all about?

The October 6th, 2012 event is a concert to help raise funds for New Hope Enterprises which is a non-profit organization which trains individuals who have been incarcerated, currently residing in shelters, ex and current individuals struggling with drug addictions and those affected by the economy, to enter back into society. New Hope offers free job training, job placement and social service assistance, as well as certifications in Microsoft and Nursing Assistant. Most of all New Hope helps participants with re-establishing their identity, self-respect and self-esteem. Ministry at New Hope for Rafael and me take on the roles of Rafael as the Director of training and me as the job developer.

What does the future hold for Linda Agosto? What advice would you give to a younger you?

The future for Linda Agosto is branching out into other countries such as India which has already contacted me for a crusade in February of 2013; New Worship album and music video to name a few. To a younger me I would say the sky is the limit , continue reaching within yourself to discover gifts that have been dormant for so long that need to be brought to the surface to impact and deliver nations.

The Black Tie Gospel Benefit Concert for New Hope Enterprises; takes place on Saturday October 6, 2012 at Atlanta Unity Church 3597 Parkway Lane Norcross, GA30092 The Red Carpet & VIP Event 6pm Concert 8pm Ticket Price $25 VIP Donation $200 For more info www.newhopeenterprises.org andwww.lindaagostoonline.com

Patch Local Voices bloggers are members of the community who write about the issues that matter most to them. They are not paid journalists. If you have a unique viewpoint, a question or something to say, consider being a Patch Local Voices blogger. It's easy. Simply click this link and start writing.