July 2003 ~ Featuring Lauren Talley
How do I begin to describe this month's featured artist? Lauren Talley grew up surrounded by some of the most talented individuals in Gospel Music, she has been blessed with a wonderful Christian family, and has one of the best voices to ever grace the stage in any genre of music. I am proud to call her a friend, but even more proud that she has dedicated her talent back to God. I first met Lauren in 1997 in Nashville, Tennessee, when we were both attending the Steve Hurst School of Music. Just about every day while we were there, Lauren and I along with a couple of her friends, would hang out around the piano and just play and sing. This month I would like to share with you a little about this talented young lady and her family.

Lauren Talley was born on December 11, 1982, in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is the only child of Roger and Debra Talley. She lives with her parents in Morristown, Tennessee. When she was eight years old, in the back room of their bus, her mom led her to the Lord. Roger, Debra, and Lauren are members of the First Baptist Church of Morristown, TN. When she has time, Lauren says that she loves to shop. She is currently enrolled at Walter State Community College pursuing a degree in business.

Roger and Debra Talley met in the mid-70s and were married in 1978 and traveled together with the Hoppers. In 1984, Roger and Debra teamed up with Roger's brother, Kirk, to form The Talleys. For nearly a decade The Talleys were a household name among Southern Gospel Music fans. Lauren grew up on the road traveling with the Talleys from the time she was one year old until the group disbanded. In 1993, Roger and Debra wanted to spend more time with their young daughter Lauren and live a more normal family life. For the next three years they stayed home so they could go to church together and Lauren could attend school.

Lauren started singing when she was eleven years old and felt a calling on her life to sing. When she turned thirteen, they formed The Talley Trio and gradually started filling their schedule. Since they organized in 1996, they have enjoyed numerous hit singles and several #1 songs on Southern Gospel radio, as well as individual and group honors and accolades.

At 20 years of age, Lauren has already established herself as one of the most versatile female singers in Southern Gospel Music. Industry peers and audiences of all ages embrace her musical diversity. Lauren is regularly featured on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concerts. Lauren joined several of her Homecoming friends in the Spring of 2001 with a guest appearance on the popular CBS television program, "Touched By An Angel". She has been nominated by the Southern Gospel Music Association as Favorite Female Vocalist and has been nominated as Favorite Horizon Individual in the Singing News Fan Awards. Lauren has been nominated as Favorite Young Artist in Southern Gospel Music several times and was voted Favorite Young Artist in 2001.

Lauren says that she enjoys listening to lots of different musical styles. She says that her earliest influence in Southern Gospel Music was the Martins. She also credits CeCe Winans and Barbara Streisand as big musical influences. Lauren learned many of the basics of singing from her mom and dad, and then has furthered her training by attending the Steve Hurst School of Music. She started attending the school as a student when she was eleven years old and has went every year until two years ago. When she turned eighteen, they invited her back, but wanted her to come as a teacher!

On the road, her job includes singing, working at the product table, and she writes the groups email newsletter every month. The Talley Trio travels in excess of 125 dates each year. They are regularly featured on the Gaither Homecoming Tour, Praise Gathering and FamilyFest, and have enjoyed traveling in Canada and Ireland. In addition, they have been featured on cruises to such places as Alaska, the Bahamas, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Cozumel and the Grand Cayman Islands.

When asked what it is like to travel all across this world with her parents, Lauren says that she is living out every young persons dream. She says that she really loves traveling with her parents. They are very close and are always pulling jokes on each other.

Lauren released her first solo recording in 2001. From that recording, she enjoyed several successful radio releases including "He Laid His Hand On Me" which went to #10 in the Singing News charts. She also teamed up with David Phelps of the Gaither Vocal Band on a duet of "The Prayer", which found success on the Contemporary Christian Charts.

She recently released her second solo recording on Horizon Records. This project features a wide variety of musical styles, showcasing Lauren's exceptional vocal talent. The first Southern Gospel radio release is called "Count On Me". She has also released a song to Contemporary Christian radio titled "I Will Trust In Christ". This new recording titled "Surrender" can be ordered online through the Talley Trio website, or by calling 423-235-2916. For complete information on Lauren's or the Talley Trio's recordings call of visit their website to check on several special packages that they offer on cassettes and cds.

You can visit the Talley Trio online at www.talleytrio.com to see their touring schedule and other information about the family. The Talley Trio is working on a new recording, which will be available by the National Quartet Convention. I hope that you have enjoyed reading about one of Southern Gospel's best vocalists. Lauren's heart is in Gospel music, and I think that she is going to enjoy a long career of singing about her Lord. If by some chance you have not heard Lauren sing, please call your local radio station and request music by her or the Talley Trio, then go to their website or call and order both of her solo recordings and some of the groups music too. I assure you that you won't be disappointed. This young lady has worked hard on perfecting her voice and I believe that she has succeeded in being the best female vocalist in Gospel music.