We had the good fortune of connecting with Tavarious Linzer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tavarious, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a musician, never in a million years did I think I’d be a business owner but I’m proud to say that it is now my reality. I’ve known from about the age of 15 that I was a creator; always searching for ways to create or perhaps make something better. My primary avenue has always been and still is music but in today’s culture music alone could potentially be a limitation. In addition, I knew that there was more in me – something that I hadn’t yet tapped into. One day, just out of curiosity, I began researching the process of starting my own business. Then next thing I knew, a year had passed and I was signing documents legitimizing my business. The number one goal of Tavarious Linzer Music, LLC has been and will always be introducing others to Jesus. From partnering with and perhaps establishing local and international charities, to creating a platform for other Christian musicians/artists, like myself, to succeed in what God has created them for. While still in it’s infancy stage, my business will be multifaceted.

Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
– The foundation of everything regarding my art is rooted the heart of Christ. I believe music is the heartbeat of the world – an avenue in which we get to experience the God of the universe in a way otherwise not possible. To be able to carryout the presence of God through music is a blessing. While the sound of the art may vary between modern pop, gospel, or perhaps a more worshipful sound, the message will alway remain the same; Jesus. – What sets me apart is that I don’t limit myself to music. I believe that part of reaching people in today’s culture is being able to tap into different side of your God-given abilities; not to be confused with trying to be everything to everyone but truly growing in the other areas of my calling. This is why I decided to start my own business; to expand beyond my comfort zone. As an artist, my music and even my approach has been geared toward the common person who needs to be inspired, encouraged, and reminded that they are loved by a Holy God. Authenticity, genuineness, and humility are thing that people desire; it’s what I consistently strive to be and I want my business practices to follow that model. – Some of the things I’m most proud of my is the release of my first ever single, My God (Safe), released back in September of 2019, my logo release and that it’s officially registered in the USPTO, and that I’m an actual business owner; although it’s still in it’s infancy stage. – Amidst some set backs and major bumps in the road, I’m really excited about my upcoming project being released this year and the other business endeavors that I am working on. I’m eager to see the impact it will have once the project it’s released. – I believe I’ve gotten to where I am today by being a sponge, I soak up information that others may overlook and I pay attention to things that some may deem unnecessary. I try to remain relentless and determined – committing myself to the process of any challenge that present itself; and there have been many. – None of this has been easy. In fact it can be quite exhausting and expensive financially speaking. But God is my sustainer and the kingdom impacts will be more than worth it. I tell myself to pray, listen, move, and repeat – don’t ever stop. Encouragement from some of the most influential people in my life helps me overcome a lot in addition to constantly reminding myself of what God told me. I feel like I’ve known why I’m here for most of my life but when God told me what to do at age 16, or in other words, “deployed” me (because His timing is perfect) that was a game changer. You see, Jesus knew His identity and why He was sent the entire time but it wasn’t until age 30 that He was actually “deployed” by the Father to fulfill His purpose in the world. It was at that divine moment of His baptism (Matthew 3) where Jesus began His ministry. – One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way is that I own absolutely nothing. But instead, I’m a steward of what God has given; credit to my uncle Ken for that nugget of wisdom. When you steward something you’re less likely to hold on to it so tightly that it can’t evolve, which has to happen in order to succeed. I grew up hearing my mother say “if there’s a will, then there’s a way”. What that means to me is that if I have to willpower to do whatever that thing is then there is certainly a way to get that thing done – whatever it may be. My willingness to succeed must outweigh the painful process it takes to be successful. I try to live in the reality of what scripture says in Philippians 4:13 – that I can do all things through Christ who’s strengthens me. Another thing I’ve learned is that the natural and the supernatural have to coincide. “Spirituality informs the practicality” and not the other way around. So everything that I do I try to do by the spirt first. I sometimes find myself dreading having to go to sleep at night if I don’t feel as if I’ve accomplished something that day. Which leads me to perhaps the most important lessons – grace. I can be pretty hard on myself so learning to extend grace to myself in the event of failure was a pivotal moment for me. I have to remember that I won’t nail it all the time. – What I want my music and brand to do is inspire, encourage, equip, and empower the world to discover Jesus as their source for everything. it’s so easy to become inundated and even discipled by things created to distract, divide, and discourage us, but Christ brings hope and peace to all who find themselves drowning in hopelessness and unrest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To show someone a great time during a week full of fun and excitement, you can’t limit yourself to just a few places in the greatest city in the world, Houston. Day one: I love education and history so day one would be spent at places like the Museum of Natural Science, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and the Holocaust Museum. Experiencing the significance of those historic events up close and personal is life changing. Day two: Get ready to be entertained because we’re going to the Miller Outdoor Theatre for live music. My first time going to this place was during the Motown music celebration; an unforgettable time. Day three: This day is all about the food. Places like Taste of Texas, Spindletop, and The ‘401 are just a few of the places I love to eat at. Day four: You can never have too much live music with a beautiful scenery so we’re headed to Discovery Green. This place is special to me for a few reasons. One of which being that it’s where I took my fiancé, Karess Grant, on our first date; I did good. Day five: Call me crazy like Karess does, but I’m a thrill-seeker so amusement parks like Kemah Boardwalk are a must to visit. It is imperative that you ride the bullet – before eating that is. Day six: For coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers, Cafeza is the place to be really at any given time of the week. From incredible coffee and food (especially their empanadas) to some of the best showcases of local talent in the city, I’d have to make a stop at Cafeza. Day seven: We’re driving around Houston to site see. H-town has a lot to offer with just the look of the city itself, particularly at; night is beautiful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This HUGE shoutout goes to my late sister, Dominique Wesley Barnes-Gipson. Dominique established her own nonprofit organization, Keturah’s Arms, and dedicated it to helping the homeless, elderly, and less fortunate – particularly those who received less but gave more. During it’s initial developments, Dominique and I would spend hours talking on the phone about her vision for Keturah’s Arms. As she bounced ideas off of me I could hear the passion in her voice; how determined she was. The drive she had to work toward something that was greater than herself was one of the many things that inspired me about my sister and I’m forever grateful to have been her brother. Dominique passed away February 3rd, 2020 and I had the blessing of holding her hand as she transitioned form this life. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about her and not a thought enters my mind where I’m not laughing or simply in awe of all that she was. I miss her so much.

Website: tavariouslinzer.com
Instagram: @tavariouslinzer
Twitter: @tavariouslinzer
Facebook: @tavariouslinzer
Youtube: Tavarious Linzer
Other: Linktr.ee/tavariouslinzer

Image Credits
Luis Reynoso Jorge Diaz