For this month’s edition of Passing the Mic, I was able to sit down with Ethan Whisnant of The Whisnants. Ethan has been singing with his family onstage for several years, and he is the epitome of a young Christian gentleman, on and off stage. I enjoyed spending time with Ethan, and I was blessed by his insightful answers during our conversation.
SCOTT BOULDIN: You have grown up on a tour bus, literally. What are some of your earliest memories of growing up on the road?
ETHAN WHISNANT: Some of my earliest memories on the road would have to be remembering the excitement that I felt of going to National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY, as a child. Not only did I have the joy of spending an entire week with all of my friends, but NQC also fell on my birthday week for many years!
SB: Can you share with us when you realized that God was calling you to minister the Gospel as a Southern Gospel artist?
EW: I cannot point to a particular night or place. When I was a child, I sang because my parents sang. With time, age, and spiritual maturity, I begin to experience the overwhelming desire to not only sing, but also to tell people about Christ through song. For example, During the 2020 COVID lockdown, I struggling GREATLY. Knowing what God has called us to do and not being able to travel and minister was extremely tough and frustrating. I promised the Lord during that time that I would never complain about our schedule getting “too busy” ever again.
SB: Traveling together in ministry as a family brings different dynamics that other groups do not experience. Please share the most rewarding aspect of traveling as a family?
EW: We are very likeminded. On stage, it’s as if we can read each other’s minds. One person can be thinking that we need to sing a particular song that wasn’t included in our original setlist, and usually at least one of us will be thinking the same exact thing.
SB: In addition to singing on stage, what are your other responsibilities with The Whisnants?
EW: I handle a lot of the different things that have to be done at home before we are able to leave out. I service the bus engine, wash the bus, maintain the water tank and trash. I’m also in charge of keeping our dates added to our website schedule and filling our online orders.
SB: Jeff and Susan Whisnant are not only fan favorites, but also two of the most respected individuals in Southern Gospel. Please share what you have learned as you have watched them in ministry over the years.
EW: On stage, they have taught me to sing from my heart. We all want to do our very best to sing well, but conveying the message of the Cross is always the most important part. Off stage, they have showed me a lifetime of consistency, character, integrity and honesty. Most importantly, they have modeled how to walk with the Lord daily in Bible study and how to conduct business in a Godly manner.
SB: Many in Southern Gospel take it upon themselves to mentor and encourage young artists. Who are some individuals that have given their time to intentionally mentor and encourage you over your young career?
EW: There have been countless people who have poured into my life, but the few that instantly come to mind when I think of “encouragers” for my young life would have to be Roger, Debra and Lauren Talley and Jeff Snyder. These are people who took time either in person, or through sent messages to pour life into me, always encouraging me when I needed it the most! They will never know how much those moments meant to me.
SB: If you were not traveling full time as a Gospel artist, what do you feel like you might do for a living?
EW: I am absolutely enamored by Chiropractics! I love it! I love watching videos it on social media! So, I would say that I would be a Chiropractor!
SB: When you are not on the road, what are your favorite ways to spend your time? Hobbies?
EW: I love to play golf, hunt, and play softball. I am also a big 2nd Amendment guy, so I love to shoot guns recreationally.
SB: The Whisnants are blessed to be featured on many large Southern Gospel events throughout the year. Do you have a favorite annual event?
EW: I love them all for different reasons, but my favorite has to be Singing In The Sun.
SB: Over the years, the Whisnants have compiled an amazing catalog of songs. What are your favorite songs from that catalog to sing, and why?
EW: That is a very difficult question! I have been on the road with my parents for my entire 27 years of living, but I just started singing full time with them in 2020. I have many favorite songs. My favorites that we sing nightly would be Been Blessed, New Day Dawning and If Not For Christ. My favorite songs from years gone by that we bring back from time to time would be The Past Is A Promise, Thank God For Grace and The Center Of Your Will.
SB: Do you have a funny moment that stands out to you from your career as a young artist?
EW: Absolutely! We were singing back in August of 2021, in either Indiana or Illinois, I believe. We’re in the middle of singing and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash in the back lobby of the church. I thought to myself, “surely not….”. A couple more seconds went by, and I saw it again. It was exactly what I thought it was! A bat had found its way into the church! With my family on stage, we were the only people in the building that could see the bat in the back of the church. We were all starting to crack up! Then it made its way into the sanctuary! We had to pause the service for probably 10 minutes while we tried to catch the bat! I actually tried to catch it with my suit jacket because it was swooping low at everybody! Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my catch. After a few minutes, the bat flew out the door. We regained our composure and continued with the service. That was a night that will not soon be forgotten.
SB: What has it been like to be a part of the family of young Southern Gospel artists who have grown up together over the years?
EW: I am so thankful for my friends who do what we do. We live a very different life. I absolutely love it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but is indeed a different schedule. With that being said, it’s great to have people who understand your life and who can relate with the particular joys and struggles that road life brings. I have many great “industry” friends, but none greater than Conner and Bailey Hayes. I tell everyone that I never remember a time “becoming” friends with Conner and Bailey. We’ve always been lifelong friends and I am so thankful for them.
SB: What would be your advice for young aspiring artists?
EW: Sing like YOU, and sing from your heart. There are many talented singers that I wish I could sing like, but the truth is, we already have those vocalists. Nobody wants a counterfeit. Sing like you! Most importantly, sing from your heart. Make sure you are prayed up before hitting the stage, smile, look people in the eyes. Do your best to deliver the message of greatest Story that’s ever been told.
SB: Would you have any words of encouragement for young readers who look to you as an example?
EW: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust God’s plan and His timing. He knows what best. Don’t be discouraged if God’s timing doesn’t match yours. His timing rarely matches anyone’s timing! Waiting is the hardest thing in the world for me. I do not like waiting for anything! But rest assured that God’s plan, His timing, and His way will be FAR greater than any plan you and I could have planned for our lives.
SB: Finally, are there any projects or upcoming events for The Whisnants that you would like to share with our readers?
EW: Awards and accolades are not why we sing, but it is humbling when people do notice our heard work. Our family is nominated fro a Dove Award this year for our song “If Not For Christ”. To God be the glory! Also, the Home For Christmas team of our family and the Mark Trammell Quartet are going in the studio very soon to record a new Christmas project for this year, so be looking for that!
Thank you, Ethan, for taking a few moments to spend some time off-stage with our readers! Please take a moment and follow Ethan and The Whisnants on all social media platforms. You can also find The Whisnants’ tour schedule and music at www.whisnants.com Until next time, join me in cheering on Ethan Whisnant and all of today’s young artists as they carry Southern Gospel Forward…
Quick hitters:
Favorite vacation spot? Myrtle Beach, SC
Favorite restaurant? Any great steakhouse or Cheesecake Factory
Favorite holiday? Christmas for sure
Favorite sports team? Atlanta Braves
Favorite Scripture? 1 Peter 3:15
Favorite Hymn? When We All Get To Heaven or It Is Well
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