Story & Lesson Highlights with Michelle Edwards of Monument

We recently had the chance to connect with Michelle Edwards and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time—and somehow find myself all over again—is when I sit down to write a song, practice my violin, or dream up a little book. It’s as if the world fades and something deeper wakes up inside me. The swirl of melody under my fingers, the rhythm of a phrase finally falling into place, or the joy of crafting a character who says just what I needed to hear—all of it pulls me into a space where time bends and purpose sharpens. In these times of flow, I feel so blessed to be using my gifts to hopefully bring joy or hope to someone else. In creating, I am both lost and found.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Michelle Edwards—a fiddler, songwriter, author, and creative at heart. I’m the founder of WireWood Station, an award-winning Rocky Mountain variety band known for our high-energy performances and heart-filled music. We’ve had the joy of sharing the stage with incredible artists like Charlie Daniels, Sawyer Brown, Randy Travis, Phil Vassar, and Billy Dean, to name a few. Our band was honored as the Best Acoustic Band at the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, placed in the Top 3 Bands at the renowned Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and was voted Best Band in Colorado Springs by readers of the Gazette and viewers of Fox 21 News.

Beyond the stage, I’m also a passionate writer and songwriter. I’ve authored several children’s books and inspirational songs—many rooted in themes of faith, perseverance, joy, and hope. Whether it’s a whimsical rhyming story for kids or a heartfelt song born from life’s trials, my goal is always to create work that uplifts and connects. Right now, I’m expanding my book Strings of Time into a full-length chapter book and developing online music courses to equip and inspire others. I feel so blessed to use my gifts in ways that hopefully bring joy and encouragement to others, and I’m always chasing that “flow” where time disappears and purpose comes alive.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world happened when I was about nine years old. My family hosted a group of young Suzuki violin students from Japan who were around seven years old, traveling with their mothers. They didn’t speak any English, and we didn’t speak any Japanese—but we all knew the same Suzuki songs. So we did what came naturally: we picked up our violins and played together. In that moment, I realized something profound—the true beauty of music is that it’s a universal language. It can bridge cultures, break through language barriers, and create instant connection without a single word. That experience opened my eyes to the power of music to unify and heal, and it’s a truth that has continued to shape my life, my work, and how I interact with the world around me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely—there was a time I almost gave up. After earning my Classical Violin Performance degree, I packed up my Honda and moved to Branson, Missouri. I figured if I wanted to put my degree to work, I had to go where live music was thriving. Nashville was my dream, but at 22, it felt a little too big and scary at the time—so I chose Branson to ease my way in. I lived in low-income housing, got a job at a hotel, and started hustling. This was before the internet, so I created promo packages with a resume, demo cassette tape, and headshot, and after work each day, I hand-delivered them to theaters—78 of them, to be exact.

After being turned away or ignored again and again, I sat in my little apartment wondering if I had made a huge mistake. I missed my family, was living in a strange city working a hotel, and not one single theater seemed to care about a violinist from Colorado. But I made myself a promise—I’d give it one full year. And wouldn’t you know it, just a few theaters deliveries later—on about the 78th delivery—I got a call from Wayne Newton’s musical director asking if I wanted a job. That moment changed everything. I’m forever grateful I didn’t quit at 77 theater. Sometimes the breakthrough is just around the corner.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on the most that aren’t my own come straight from the Good Lord —and one verse that continually shapes my life is Luke 10:27: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” I love this verse because it simplifies and refocuses everything. If I keep my heart anchored in loving God with all that I am, there’s a natural overflow—His love and peace fill me in a way that allows me to genuinely love and serve the people around me. When we have peace with our Maker, we’re able to bring peace, grace, and love into the lives of others. That’s the kind of wisdom I want guiding my life, my family, my job, and every relationship I’m part of.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
There have definitely been seasons in my life where I was doing what I thought I was supposed to do—or what others expected of me. But over time, through experience, prayer and a whole lot of grace, I’ve grown into doing what I truly believe I was born to do. Faith is a central part of my life, and one verse that deeply resonates with me is Psalm 139:13–16: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

I believe every person has a purpose designed by God—and one day, my husband’s grandma, who was an incredible knitter, helped me see that even more clearly. I asked her how she knew how to knit without a pattern, and she said, “Well, I think of the purpose first—and then I back into the design. If I’m making a hat, is it meant to keep ears warm or just look pretty? Once I know the purpose, I create the design.” That stuck with me. I believe God does the same with us. He begins with a beautiful purpose for each of our lives, and then lovingly “knits” us together in our mother’s womb—every detail, every gift, every personality trait—crafted with intention to fulfill that purpose. When I’m with my family (we have 4 amazing kiddos) or creating, connecting, and pouring into others through time, music or writing, I know I’m walking in the design He had in mind all along.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wirewood-station.com, https://michelle-edwards.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_edwards_music/ or https://www.instagram.com/wirewoodstation/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-edwards-8a4ab327a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleEdwardsMusic/ or https://www.facebook.com/wirewoodstation/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKtWibhj7CnyQil7izr7ZqQ