Bay Turner’s Career Was Almost Cut Short, Now He’s Focused on ‘Better Days’

When he complied his debut EP Better Days for release in February, Bay’s focus wasn’t to introduce people to himself as an artist, but the God he sings about.

“I didn’t really care about what anybody knew about me,” Bay told Hope 103.2.

“The whole point of this project was what people got to know about Jesus.

“My whole heart and my whole mind in life is centred around bringing Him glory and honour.”

The project in part was written for written for people who could relate to being “broken and afraid and needing breakthrough”.

“A life with Jesus is special, but there’s also loss,” Bay said.

“There are some things that maybe you had hoped and planned for would come into fruition that don’t.

“And the sweet part about it is that he promises to be with you through it all.”

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One of Bay’s biggest challenges came in 2020, when doctors elected to remove two benign tumours they’d found in his chest and accidentally nicked one of his vocal cords in the process. The chord was paralysed, and Bay was told he would likely never sing again.

“I had to really wrestle with God,” Bay said.

“I had to sit and be quiet and trust God that my voice was not going to be taken away from me for the rest of my life.

Bay spent the next few months in medically prescribed silence, using his small New York apartment as a place to pray, rest and work out what to do next.

“It was a tough season,” Bay said.

“But I’m back, I’m here, I’m good and I’ve made it. Thank you, Jesus.”

Bay’s latest single, Somebody’s Praying, is intended to be a “beacon of hope” for anyone feeling isolated in difficult times that reminds them they are seen.

“We’re the most connected, disconnected generation ever,” Bay said.

“I wanted somebody that’s lonely to know that whether it’s me praying over the listener of the song, or the random stranger that had a kind word for them at the grocery store, or a grandmother that they haven’t spoken to in years, I’m telling you, you may not believe it, but there’s somebody interceding on your behalf.

“I just wanted to sort of infuse a little hope back into people’s lives that feel alone and isolated and are weary.”

Having the freedom to do this through music is one of the reasons Bay left opera in favour of Christian music, exchanging an industry – that while beautiful – can be extremely self-focused for one intended to put God first.

“There’s so much darkness and so much loneliness and emptiness in the world,” Bay said.

“Anytime somebody is using their gift and their resources [to] bring honour and glory to the Lord, it becomes a force of light against the darkness.

“We have to trust that people like you and I can be that.”

Listen to the full conversation with Bay Turner in the player above.

Feature image: Supplied