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Praise for the Ages, your latest album, seems to have gained a lot of positive exposure and response from fans and industry alike.  What made you decide to record an album full of praise & worship based music - something that isn't quite the norm in SG?

(Roger) The Praise For The Ages project was something that I had been planning in the back of my mind for a long time. People constantly ask for hymns and acapella songs so I tried to come up with a plan to combine those with some other music that is more church oriented or praise and worship music. The majority of the churches that we sing in does a lot of contemporary music or blended worship. To me this project is exactly that-blended worship. It was not originally intended to be a main line project. It was just something that we wanted to do to have this music available to use in our services. I have been encouraged that it has been accepted so well. I've had many people take it back to their minister of music to show him that he could have a "southern gospel group" that would still fit into the church's style of music.

Lauren, you just released your third solo album.  Explain the inspiration behind the album.  Why did you choose to shift focus musically, and what kind of response have you seen from the recording?

(Lauren) Strangely enough this project's inspiration was a period of extreme frustration for me! I felt that I didn't have a clear direction for this project and wasn't very enthusiastic about starting a process to which I wasn't fully committed. The album (yeah, I call them albums too!) finally began to take shape when I noticed the songs that I had selected expressed my feelings at the time, feelings of doubt, confusion and frustration. I thought if I felt that way, others must surely be able to relate, and the theme of "I Live"was is place.

Every artist's music tends to evolve over time and I think this project shows how my musical tastes have grown, as well as the changes in my life since my first solo project. I worked with producer Kent Hooper on four songs, and my dad produced the rest of the project, which is more in line with my other two projects and Talley Trio music.

So far, audiences seem to really enjoy the new songs, and I'm having a great time singing them. This recording is my favorite of all the projects I've been a part of.

The Talley Trio has always been heavily involved in the Steve Hurst School of Music.  Explain how you got started with Steve.  Why do you continually give up a week of your precious time each year to teach at the school?

(Debra) Years ago, Steve Hurst worked with us as a vocal coach. Roger, Kirk, and I opened the school several times with a concert. We were impressed by the school, but our schedule did not permit us to be involved.

When Lauren was eleven years old, she expressed a serious interest in music and singing. I thought it would be a good idea to enroll her in the school and let her benefit from Steve's instruction, before she developed habits that would hinder her progress. I called Steve about bringing her to the school and he insisted that I teach since I would be there anyway. I was petrified, but I reluctantly agreed. Lauren learned so much that year and loved the atmosphere of the school. I can honestly say I learned as much as anyone that year. God used the experience to teach me some valuable lessons.

This year is my twelfth year to teach and now Lauren is on staff. This is her fifth year to teach. We've made alot of friendships and look forward each year to seeing our friends. God continues to use that week to teach me. One of the main reasons we continue to be involved is that we can give back and invest a little of oursleves in other's lives and ministries. We always say, it's one of the hardest weeks of our year, but its one of the most rewarding.

The Talley name has managed to maintain it's status as a household name in the Southern Gospel arena.  How does the group continue to gain the motivation and inspiration to keep going on after all these years? 

(Roger) I'm thankful that God has allowed our family to sing for so many years, but to be honest I hardly ever think of what we've done in the past. I'm always looking for an idea or a new song that will bring something new and exciting to what we do. It is easy to getjnto a routine and just jump on the bus and go through the motions. I think being so involved in the recording process keeps me focused on coming up with new things. That translates into new music and new concert ideas. We try to keep some of the favorites from years past such as "Thinkin' About Home" but our music constantly transitions. Lauren's recordings are also keeping us fresh musically. Its exciting to see more younger people coming to our concerts as a result. We've found that she appeals to a wide audience that even includes a large group of children and pre-teens. Hopefully that will cause the audiences to grow for future years.

Now that Lauren's solo album is finished, what's up next for the Talleys?

(Lauren) We're working on a new trio project expected to be released hopefully before the end of the year. We also have just released two brand-new live DVDs, Praise For The Ages and Live Across America. We're also very excited about returning to New York City in August to sing at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

What has God been teaching the Talley Trio lately? 

(Debra) God continues to teach us as a group and for me personally, that it truly is NOT about me. He is almighty God and His work can go on without me. He invites us to get in on what he is doing. He is refining us as his servants and uses our music to hopefully bless and encourage others.

I'm always amazed to see how he takes what we have on any given night, especially when we didn't think we did so well, and blesses it.

Visit The Talleys online at http://www.talleytrio.com

Don't forget to catch their performance at the 6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival, Friday, July 29 at River of Life in Smryna, TN.

Reader Comments

This trio has become one of my very favorites. Their blend & their spirit is awesome. This project is fantastic! I love the way they have combined hymns w/P&W songs. It's truly a beautiful project.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

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