Payton Miller - My Music Journey

my music journey.

I started playing music in 2023. Singing has always been a part of me, but for years I was too afraid to sing in front of people—or even admit that I could.

until one night.

I was working my first bartending job when karaoke night wrapped up. On impulse, I asked if I could sing. I chose Hopelessly Devoted to You by Olivia Newton-John—and from that moment on, everything changed. Calling it life-changing would still be an understatement.

i was just getting started.

I was immediately picked up by a manager, which led me to the Texas Country Music Awards, where I made countless connections and lifelong friends within the music industry. I started playing gigs, getting my name out there, and living what I thought was my dream—until I realized it wasn’t.

my dream quickly turned into a nightmare.

I began to fall in with the wrong crowd and found myself surrounded by musicians who were stuck—stationary, unmotivated, and not progressing in their careers or glorifying God through their music. That’s when I realized something crucial: my music was never meant for me. My music was meant to glorify the One who gave it to me.

and that was God

So I made a hard but necessary decision—I fired my manager, stepped away from playing music in bars, and brought my talent into the church. I began leading worship at First Baptist Church in Stephenville, Texas, where I finally started glorifying God the way I should have all along. Along the way, I was incredibly blessed to meet—and even play alongside—so many respected musicians, including Stoney LaRue, Mike Ryan, Ian Munsick, and many others.

but I was more starstruck singing for God, than anyone else.

Now, I’m blessed to lead worship, along with a few others, at Shoreline Church in Austin, Texas. My church family has become more meaningful to me than any music family I’ve ever been a part of. I can’t wait to see where God leads me on this journey and how He will continue to use the gifts He’s given me.

god is good all the time, and all the time god is good.