What happens when the music pit meets fatherhood? In this powerful episode of Band Pit to Pulpit, host Dr. Brandon McCrae sits down with his sons, Benjamin and Ethan, for a transparent look at faith, family, and musical heritage. Dr. McCrae opens up about the pivotal moment he learned he was going to be a father at 23—and how the wisdom from his own parents reframed a terrifying situation into one of the greatest blessings of his life.

Then, the mic flips. Benjamin shares the real-world pressure of stepping into the musical spotlight as "Brandon Jr.," navigating high expectations, and stepping into his own identity while honoring his father’s influence. Ethan rounds out the conversation with pure heart, sharing what it’s like growing up with a multi-instrumentalist dad who inspires his own musical dreams.

Key Topics Covered

• From Panic to Purpose: Dr. McCrae on facing young fatherhood, overcoming fear, and finding God's grace in unexpected turns.
• Carrying the Name: Benjamin on the weight and pride of following in a prominent father's musical footsteps.
• The Musical Mindset: How the McCrae family shares ideas, sharpens each other's talents, and communicates through music.
• Fatherly Legacy: A heartwarming look at mentorship, brotherhood, and raising the next generation of musicians.

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In This Episode:

• How They Met & The Six-Year Wait: Dr. BMac shares the humorous story of slipping his phone number into Erica’s phone at church six years before they officially began dating and eventually marrying within seven months.
• The Reality of Being a Musician's Wife: Erica opens up about the unique challenges of supporting a heavily booked musician, managing travel schedules, and holding down the home front with their children.
• Overcoming Doubts & Stereotypes: Erica addresses initial skepticism from family regarding a career as a full-time musician and how Dr. BMac’s work ethic and versatile talent proved his ability to provide.
• Stepping Into Ministry Together: The couple reflects on Dr. BMac’s transition into preaching, Erica’s own spiritual transformation, and her journey toward earned seminary degrees and her upcoming initial sermon.
• Embracing the Unboxed Role: A conversation on resisting traditional "first lady" expectations, preparing for future pastoral leadership, and honoring wives in ministry.

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Mom's Memories

• Pots, Pans, and Recitals: Remembering my early days as a 3-year-old banging on pots and pans, to watching me command multiple instruments during my 2011 Valdosta State University recital.
• The First Sermon: What it felt like to watch her firstborn step into his calling at Union Baptist Church, balancing nervous energy with the visible mantle of both of his parents.
• A Prophetic Vision: My mother speaks a powerful word over my future, declaring how God will use my unique path to reach corporate executives, non-believers, and spaces others cannot enter.
• Parental Pride: A look at the shared joy, pride, and spiritual foundation that laid the groundwork for my life in ministry and music.

God gives the gift, but the prayer and support of a mother help nurture it into full purpose.

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After his parents’ divorce during his teenage years, life became tumultuous. Despite the emotional distance, Dr. BMac recalls seeing his dad every day driving school bus #9, holding onto a complex mix of anger and presence. He shares how his mother, Elder Diann, intervened with life-changing wisdom, reminding him he has only one father and urging him to foster that bond regardless of the past.

Tune in as Dr. BMac and Bishop McCrae reflect on:

• The Power of Maternal Wisdom: How Elder Diann’s encouragement helped heal a son's heart and pave the way for a restored father-son relationship.
• Fatherhood & Affirmation: The profound impact of receiving a father’s blessing, ministerial sanction, and daily encouragement.Unforgettable Ministry Moments: Bishop McCrae looks back on the unforgettable moments of Dr. BMac’s musical and preaching journey, from surprising the church on the keys to preaching his pastor’s anniversary sermon.

Dr. BMac closes with a poignant reminder: no matter the history, honoring your roots creates room for God to build a powerful legacy.

Did this message touch your heart or speak to your own journey of reconciliation and growth? Don't keep it to yourself! Like, Share, and comment on this episode right now. Make sure to hit that Subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of Band Pit to Pulpit. Let's spread the message together!

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We’re unpacking what it means to hone the gift of music when God calls you to adapt:

• Pew Baby Roots: Growing up in Union Baptist Church and watching my parents' 38+ year ministry shape my music and my life.
• The "Hitman" Mentality: How learning to step up wherever there was a need turned me into a multi-instrumentalist who can adapt to any group or space.
• Mastering the Instruments: From getting two degrees in percussion, to receiving the gift of organ through prayer and prophecy, to inheriting bass gigs across Tallahassee from mentors like John Tony and Mike Ferg.
• Quartets on Guitar: The story of how "Mississippi" James Stanton taught me lead guitar using just three sheets of notebook paper so I could play quartet music.

God gives the gift of music, but it is up to us to cultivate it.

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Music development is an interesting term, but for me, it all started in my father's church. From sitting on my cousin's lap learning how to keep time at three years old, to stringing together my first drum kit on an old Ludwig Vista Lite, the church was where my musical foundation was forged.

In this episode, I'm taking you through the raw, early chapters of my journey:

• Roots in the Church: How early exposure to worship music shaped my fundamental development as a young musician.
• The Marching Band Jump: Leaping from middle school with no band program straight into the high school drumline at band camp.
• Key Mentors: The pivotal roles teachers like Mr. Paul Gilbeau, Mr. Kirk Kimbrough, and Leon Anderson played in elevating my craft.
• Doors Opening: How God consistently opened one door after another, leading all the way to a music scholarship at Florida State University.

Every step of the way, God was developing the musician in me for something greater.

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Revelation 12:11 tells us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. But so often, we keep those powerful stories locked away. I’m letting you in on an inspiring, thought-provoking journey of how God transitioned me from the band pit to the pulpit, from musician to minister.

In this multi-part series, we’re going to interrogate my life so you can gain, glean, and be uplifted by what God can do when you step into your purpose.

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In this deeply personal continuation, we sit with the one who’s walked every rhythm of this journey with me—my wife, Dr. Erica B. McCrae.She’s been the quiet strength behind the scenes, the steady anchor through storms, and the discerning voice beside every major decision. Long before pulpits and platforms, she saw the call and stayed.

This isn’t just a testimony—it’s a tether. The perspective of the one who’s held my hand while God held my future. From the band pit to pastoral leadership, this is an admonition from a place of covenant and calling.

I pause to receive what every servant needs when stepping into a new season: a blessing. In this final round, I welcome words that will ground me as I move towards the call to senior pastoral leadership.

We begin with the one whose prayers covered me before I ever preached a sermon: my mother. Her voice launches this sacred sendoff, setting the tone for a finale full of grace, wisdom, and holy expectation. This isn’t just an ending; it’s a commissioning.

A benediction. A moment of divine clarity as I step into the “next” with faith, gratitude, and vision.

Bishop Wade S. McCrae. I affectionately call him “Rev.” He’s been my pastor, mentor, protector, and blueprint for spiritual leadership. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a commissioning. A final word from the one who first showed me how to stand behind a pulpit with integrity and fire.

The man… the myth… the mentor… the preacher… the prophet… the poet. @drbriankeithhodges is a gift I never saw coming, but one I’ll forever be grateful for. His wisdom, guidance, and unwavering example have left an undeniable mark on both my music and ministry far beyond what words can capture.