Heather Layne

June 01, 2009 www.chapelofgrace.net
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 JUNE 2009 GOING TO PRISON CHAPEL Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to chapel service at Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW)? As someone who has the privilege to take guests to the chapel at VSPW often, I find every visit different and every visit inspiring. Let me tell you of one such visit. It was my first visit of 2009. My guests on that particular Saturday were especially excited to go behind the prison walls and on to the chapel. Some had shared they were prepared to minister to the women, but none of us were prepared for what we were about to experience. We arrived at the chapel a bit early to accommodate recording artist Heather Layne, who was to minister in word and song that day. Normally when we go into the chapel early, just a few women are there to greet us. This time was different. The chapel was already full of women praying and crying with heads bowed. The presence of the Lord was so strong, it was inescapable. As Heather and her band set up, several of us started making our way down the rows of women, shaking their hands, talking to them, praying with them, and being blessed by them. When the service started, the tiny chapel was bursting at the seams. We saw women turned away because there was no room. No room in the chapel. As we looked back, sad eyes peered through the windows. Chaplain Sandy Sebesta opened with prayer, announcements, and encouragement. An inmate, Joanna, used sign language to interpret a beautiful song. The prison worship team led us in several songs, the first of which was “God of This City.” Valley State Prison is a “City” and it is evident that God is there. Heather Layne took the stage, singing, giving testimony and hope. She wrote almost all the songs she sang, and they spoke directly to the women. Heather shared her story of abuse at the hands of men, her silenced voice, and her recovery through a God she learned about. It was obvious that the women related to Heather. Her song, “Amazing Grace,” is the song of a woman who found “Amazing Grace” while in prison. Another song, “She Rides,” was received with several standing ovations. The lyrics tell of a former inmate at VSPW who is now free. After Heather sang, “She Rides,” she said to the women, “I am convinced that we don’t always start out on a level playing field, but we can end on one because of Him.” The women stood, clapped, and shouted in agreement. There are inmates and chaplains at VSPW that are clearly anointed. As we looked back, God is moving even in prison. Lives are being changed. Those that were with me in that service clearly know this. It was an unexpected experience. We did not minister to inmates at Valley State Prison; they ministered to us. - Penny Childers

August 27, 2010, Mike Osegueda - Fresno Bee

Artists You Should Know: Heather Layne


It's a busy time for Clovis-based singer/songwriter Heather Layne.
Her first national single, "Close Your Eyes," has been sent to country radio stations across the country. She's about to embark on a promotional tour in a handful of states. And she's aligned herself with Nashville-based Applause Records.

If you want to see Layne before she hits the road, she performs tonight at Courthouse Park in Madera as part of a Celebrate Recovery event hosted by Grace Community Church. Her free show is at 8 p.m.

Much of Layne's music is influenced by the 12-step recovery process. We asked her about that and more:

Describe your style of music...?

Country/Americana/Adult Contemporary. It's Christ-centered, 12-step recovery music.

How did you get started in music? My life hit bottom about 10 years ago. I wasn't an addict or an alcoholic, but I had A LOT of issues I needed to deal with. I joined a 12-step recovery group, started working the steps, and songs just started coming because of the pain I was in. Playing my guitar and songwriting became my therapy and my connection with God.

Your song, "Close Your Eyes," recently got sent to country radio stations nationally. How's it going so far? Getting some spins? Yes! I am getting spins around the nation and overseas, so I am told by the radio promotion team that is representing me. It is still too early to know if the song has landed on the charts. The song has been promoted to more than 18,000 contacts in the music and radio world in the past week.

The next step is a radio promotion tour. Where is that taking you? My husband, who is my drummer and road manager, and I will be leaving for a three-week radio tour of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. We have 10 concerts booked on the tour as well as some interviews with radio stations along the way, which are being booked by my radio promoter.

What are you hoping comes from all of this? Because these songs come from a place of my own pain and brokenness, I have seen how the music has affected people in 12-step recovery, and people who are simply "struggling" with life. My hope from all of this is that more people will hear the music, and that the music would somehow comfort them and help them know they're not alone.

Where can people buy your music? My music is available on iTunes, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, my website, heatherlayne.com, and Majesty Bible and Gifts Bookstore in Fresno.

For more: Go to heatherlayne,com, and on Facebook (search "HeatherLayneMusic"). - Fresno Bee - Mike Osegueda