Kirk Whalum launch wedding service Weddings by Whalum

 Kirk Whalum launch wedding service 'Weddings by Whalum'

Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson (Publisher)


Recently, Soulful saxophonist, ordained minister, and twelve-time Grammy Award nominee Kirk Whalum launched his new company Weddings by Whalum, a wedding and vow-renewal service that blends spiritual meaning with powerful music.

Married for 45 years, Whalum shares his wisdom of marriage, along with his ministry to create unique and one-of a-kind ceremonies that his clients can remember for a lifetime.

The talented musician is known for gracing Whitney Houston’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You,” and has collaborated with many notable artists such as Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Larry Carlton and Luther Vandross.

I, Consciousness Magazine, had the opportunity to interview the extraordinary musician. Here is what Kirk Whalum has to share about Weddings by Whalum and his latest happenings.

AARON ROBINSON: Where did the inspiration come from to launch Weddings by Whalum?

KIRK WHALUM: I know that not everyone who performs wedding ceremonies or officiate weddings is happily married, right? That's not a prerequisite. Ruby [my wife], and I have something so really special, that I felt like it was something that I could do or we could do together outside of what I do. We've been married for 45 years. We like opportunities that we have had where we get to share with people who are just embarking on that journey. I like the fact that we can represent how it can be, the bliss, the joy, the romance, all of that, but also sticking with someone through thick and thin.

AARON: What comes with this amazing service?

KIRK: Well, it depends on what people's needs are. If someone wants me to just officiate, I can do that. I am a licensed preacher of the gospel. I'm ordained with the seminary, the whole thing. If someone wants me to play a little solo, [I will]. One of the things we obviously play a lot is the song I recorded with Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You”. That's a beautiful promise. Then some people want the whole kit and caboodle, like my band, to play at their reception, or sometimes just maybe a duet. Sometimes we'll just have a very intimate performance during the ceremony. It just depends on what people want or need.

AARON: I love how you connected your music with your ministry by combining it together to create this beautiful service, this business. Can you tell us a little bit about your ministry and how did it derive, as you mentioned you’re an ordained minister?

KIRK: My father was a pastor. I always saw myself in some kind of way being a minister, even when I was trying not to be that. At a certain point I was around 33, 34, I accepted that calling.

AARON: Me being married for nine years, we go through things and try to make it work the best way we can.

KIRK: Yes. Congratulations brother!

AARON: Thank you! You've been married for 45 years. I hope to get that tenure like you.

KIRK: Yes, sir.

AARON: I know you also give advice to couples. What's the key factor of keeping your marriage together?

KIRK: Yeah. Well, there are a lot of things. Keep it simple… just tenderness and listening. Those are two things that any man will appreciate. I want to be respected, but I know, what really trumps all of that… tenderness, and also just listening. And I’m listening to your needs.

AARON: Most definitely. You host a podcast called Bible In Your Ear. Can you share a little about this?

KIRK: Sure. I started it about 20 years ago. I was out doing my exercise, my walking. I said, “Now, it'd be nice to listen to the bible!” I looked it up and I found this podcast called the Bible in a Year. My wife said, “When you said that, I thought you said the bible in your ear.” We both laughed. Then eventually I said, you know what, this is probably something I could do. Now 20 years later, we have a million and a half subscribers all over the world. I love it! It serves a purpose other than the obvious, which is a spiritual connection with the word of life, through the written word.

AARON: Mr. Whalum, when we last spoke, you were telling us about your latest album, Epic Cool. Do you have more music you're looking to release for your listeners and fans?

KIRK: There's a project that I've done. I'm trying my best to get back connected. Traveling, it makes it hard, but that's the gospel according to John, Chapter 5. The other [project] by the way, we would like to do parts of that in Africa. The other one is - we actually did a live record. It’s on ice right now, because the label wanted a studio record. So we said, “Well, in that case, we did what became Epic Cool.” It ended up being really popular. I'm very happy that it went well.

AARON: That's beautiful! Now going back to Weddings by Whalum. What is that environment like? If a couple comes to you and says, “Hey, can you marry us?” I know you offer packages also. What is that day and the environment like that they can experience?

KIRK: One of the things I've been doing is meeting with some folks at the American Church in Paris. Ruby and I moved with all four of our kids to Paris. It was the early nineties. It was crazy, just the whole kind of doing another culture, another language, and all of that. It was such a beautiful experience and really important for our kids as well. At that time we used to go to the American Church in Paris. That's one of the things that'll be available. If people want to, if they have the will to do it, they can have me officiate their wedding in Paris. There are people from all over the world who want to get married in Paris, because it's such a romantic city. The American Church in Paris is right there on the center river. It’s just so beautiful. That's just one. So, if somebody wants to have a destination wedding, they can get married at the American Church in Paris. It truly does depend on what the person, most cases, the bride, you know what I mean? It's tailor-made to their needs.

AARON: Nice. Thanks again for the interview!

KIRK: I really appreciate it! Nice to speak with you again and blessings to you!

AARON: You too! Thank you! Have a good rest of the day, brother.


Visit and follow Kirk Whalum at:

https://kirkwhalum.com/

https://kirkwhalum.com/pages/weddings-by-whalum

https://www.instagram.com/kirkwhalum/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6v2VjBVPcGVbBqJrUWYiG1


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