Nashville, TN – Gabrielle Mooney’s latest video for her new song “Bad, which premiered Friday with “Taste of Country,” is full of imagery and emotion and is sure to strike a chord in viewers. For Mooney, the clip is more than just some powerful scenes staged in a familiar setting – it’s the story of one of the most challenging times in her life and is her testimony. She hopes by revealing this personal chapter, and how it ultimately strengthened her faith instead of eroding it, will serve as an inspiration to others who might be experiencing the same. See the new video HERE on Gabrielle’s YouTube Channel.
Upon first listen the fiery, upbeat tune sounds as though it is merely a fun, “bad girl’s anthem” celebrating a rebellious spirit, but the song is actually just the opposite – a cry out to God from Mooney during a time when she felt conflicted and shunned by the church and fellow Christians she had grown up surrounded by. As a teen she began singing in a Southern rock band and found the music and vibe a perfect match for her sassy, fun-filled spirit, but being drawn to tattooed singers and a seeming wilder way of life didn’t seem to sit well with her fellow church-goers.
“This story is actually deep and autobiographical,” explains Mooney about the impetus behind the song. “The first verse is about how I grew up and was baptized in creek water, literally, and went to church in a one room chapel. I loved Rock music and my skinny jeans and Emo music and tattoos and piercings, and the way that you’re raised in the South, you’re supposed to look a certain way, talk a certain way, and act a certain way, and even though it doesn’t say that in the Bible, it’s just implied. I basically stayed out of church for two years because every time I would walk in people would just look at me — they wouldn’t talk to me. There would be that silence, judgement, whispers, and I just felt so far away from who God really was.”
The emotionally charged video was directed by the super talented Stephen Kinigopoulos and Alexa King of Running Bear Films and was filmed in a one room chapel. The scenes required Mooney to come from a very raw, stripped down place emotionally, and the final shot serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how broken we may feel or think we are, Jesus is always there to meet us with loving arms and welcome us with His abounding love.
For Gabrielle, although it would’ve been easier to make a very different, less personal video, she felt this was her opportunity to really share her story and maybe help others who may have had negative experiences similar to hers.
“I’m very excited for people to get to hear my heart through this. It’s so personal and I just want people to understand this is a part of who I am and part of my story,” says Gabrielle. “This is my way to tell them that there is hope.”