Jayne Lewis

Posted on November 12th, 2009 at 10:44 PM / 1 comment »

Well Hello there people! It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on what’s happening, so here I am to fill you in!

I had a busy month or so with a few different things happening. I travelled to Stoke to do my interview and songs on the Rimmerama show for Cross Rhythms radio (you can download the interview and songs free from itunes). That was quite fun, although the journey home was nightmare, never trust a sat nav when you know that you know better!

I also had a couple of performances at the Salvation Army and at an awards ceremony for a London Exam board.

I led Worship and did a concert at ‘Keswick in Lichfield’, which was good. It’s basically like a mini Keswick convention that isn’t in Keswick!

I’ve been up and down to Sheffield a couple of times too in my ‘ambassador’ capacity for City Hearts. I got to meet some of the girls the organisation works with, and saw a little of the kind of work they do to help these young women get back on their feet after all kinds of traumas. It’s a privilege to be a part of it.

It has been quite a scary but exciting time lately. It’s the first term I have not been working in a school/college and I was curious to see what would happen as a result of me taking time out. It has been INCREDIBLE!

It has been (and still can be) scary in terms of finances, and the career risk etc but so far I’m not regretting any of it. I have been able to spend time just slowing down and re-focussing on what is truly important. Namely, being God’s child and living in relationship with Him. He has blessed me in ways I really didn’t expect and I’m so thankful. The time I’ve been able to spend just talking to God and listening to Him have made such a HUGE difference in my day to day life, and He’s really answering my prayers in HUGE and AMAZING ways! I’m so thankful!

He’s opening career doors I didn’t expect and is resurrecting creative ideas I thought had died long ago. I don’t want to say too much about these things as not all of them are definite as yet, although they appear to be! When I have definite confirmations I’ll spill the beans but till then you’ll just have to be in suspense!

There are things which aren’t entirely going to plan (that is, my plan), but when it comes to some things I can be incredibly impatient and stubborn, and can get easily frustrated. I’m learning to chill and relax more, after all When has God not been in control? Things get confusing and frustrating when I try and impose my own agenda and time frame, so I’m learning to relax and to not stress about things.
Above all I’m incredibly thankful to God for keeping me as I’ve changed direction and taken a step of faith in leaving solid reliable employment. I am thankful that I have a husband who understands and is supportive and is just generally ‘great’ to me.

Another MASSIVE thing is that over the past year or two I have been battling with significant ‘giants’ from the past as well. To be quite honest, this has been one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to face – it’s brought me incredibly low and produced an overwhelming amount of anxiety in me. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get through it, but it came to a point where I knew I had to face it no matter what the implications were for myself, or for others. It’s not so hard to face and conquer ‘giants’ like these when you can do it without involving, and potentially hurting, other people. However this issue was a deep-rooted one which did involve other people.

The hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and the hardest conversations I’ve ever had to have – have all taken place in these last few months. It has been agonising, draining, terrifying – and God has worked awesome miracles of healing through it. I have been suffering for years with burdens that were not mine to carry, I have felt pain and confusion over situations that were hugely unfair.

God brought me to a place where I could not stand under it any longer, so I was brought to my knees and I cried to Him. I confessed that I could not control the situation and was hopeless. He gave me the solution and he gave me the strength to pursue it. I had no other choice, I had come to the end of myself.

I am so grateful that I did. He used that situation to lift a twenty year old, heavy burden from me. He was in the conversations that needed to be had, he provided the right words which brought healing to more than just me (I believe).

I feel free … in a way that is totally new. I don’t feel I have to hide, or be ashamed or feel laden with guilt anymore. God has set me free, and I’m so thankful. I’m as light as a feather and those issues will never get to me again.

Posted on September 17th, 2009 at 9:01 AM / No comments

Jayne is being interviewed and is playing live on cross rhythms radio tonight at around 7.10pm listen in at http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk

Go on, you know you want to!

Posted on September 15th, 2009 at 1:38 PM / No comments

Hi People!

Just here with a quick update as to what’s been going on recently. After recovering from my summer bout of illness I am feeling much better and more rested now, especially since I have cut down dramatically the amount of work I’m doing. My working hours are much easier for me to handle now, and it leaves me free to pursue other things … which I’m loving!

I’ve got a few music related things coming up which you can check out on my facebook pages and on my myspace page if you want more details. In a nutshell I’ve got a radio interview and songs at Cross rhythms, plus a couple of slots at some coming music/band nights. I also have an awards ceremony to perform at in a few weeks, as a music exam I took had the highest result in the region! Which means I get to perform and be presented with a trophy!! Exciting stuff!

I am thinking about the next musical project as well … so watch this space!

Cheers
Jayne

Posted on July 27th, 2009 at 1:26 PM / No comments

Hi there People

Well brace yourselves … this will probably be a long one!! There is a lot to catch you up on!!! So get yourself a cup of tea and a biscuit and relax!

Here I go … the new album ‘Exactly where I am’ was recorded in March, a few months were spent mixing, tweaking, mastering, sorting out publishing/copyright issues, sorting out design, text and layout, and now – finally it’s here!! The official release date was 11th July 2009 – 5 years after my debut album ‘Orange Sky’.

The album was recorded in about 8 days, in my spare bedroom at my house!! I had done some prep myself with midi piano and string parts etc, then Bruce (Pont) came up with his expertise, his gear and his magic and did the technical hard work!!

We spent a few days tidying up midi issues, and adding string parts, drums, percussion and my guitars. Then we got Matt Stalker in to do some beautiful extra guitar parts (including electric guitar) and the amazing Joss Elliot played upright and electric bass. It was amazing to see how it all came together. It was frustrating at times, and a lot of hard work … especially for Bruce who hardly slept making sure everything was just right. Unfortunately I had a few issues with my voice … by the time it got to me doing the vocals it was day seven and I was exhausted, and vocally you could tell. So I had to re-record about half of the tracks myself at a later date when I was more rested and capable!

Then there was a long process of mixing the album, which Bruce did a great job of, then off to Luke (Fellingham) for the mastering.

Then of course I had to arrange the duplication etc.

There is so much more to making an album independently than I first thought (that is if you do it properly). You have to make sure all publishing is in order and your songs need certain codes embedded into them and your album needs a code etc … it’s all a stressful and complicated thing. Next time I’m sure I’ll find it easier though, now that I know what the process is. I even had to set up my own record label which, again is a big stress and a lot of work but it’s done!! Whoop I am a record label owner!!!

I had a launch gig at Houghton Dance Academy (who are incredible) on the 11th July. Which went quite well, I was joined by Matt stalker, Phil Smith and Chris Hedley who contributed with guitar and voice, double bass and percussion. They (staff at the academy) had set the room up beautifully with little tables and candles, twinkly lights in a black backdrop, a video montage of artwork they had made for me. We brought a really old fashioned lamp (Matt’s) and a rug (my Mam’s) for the stage which basically made the stage look like your grandma’s living room … it looked incredible! Everyone who came seemed to have a good night, and we (the band) enjoyed ourselves too. I’ll try and get some photo’s or videos up on here soon.

The next part of my exciting story is a big disappointment. I was due to sing at the Keswick convention (week 2) last week, supporting Steve James in leading worship. The morning I was due to go I woke up feeling really ill, but I packed and went anyway, telling myself I had allergies and that I’d improve as the day went on. I didn’t, I got much worse. I went to the tent for practice and was told to go back to my guest house room and stay there till I was feeling better. I was so upset and frustrated that I couldn’t do what I was there to do, plus I had been preparing for it and looking forward to it for ages. I did as I was told anyway and went back to my room – where I stayed for the next three days, alone and ill.

It was horrible, the question of swine flu was raised and I was adamant I didn’t have it, but it turns out I did have it (and am still recovering) so I was told I couldn’t be allowed back to the tent to sing even if I felt better, as the risk of me passing it on to a lot of vulnerable people was too great. Which I totally understood, but it didn’t make it any less devastating for me that I couldn’t be there. I mean … why of all weeks did it have to hit me then? I had three other concert/appearances planned that week as well to promote the new album. I had a short set and possible interview after one of the evening meetings, an afternoon concert (with my band) and a jazz night at one of the local bars. I had to pull out of them all. Big opportunities missed – gutted. Ultimately though I love being there to Worship and help others do the same. I was there first and foremost to enjoy God and to spend my time praising Him and assisting others to do the same the best way I can. I’m so annoyed and confused by the fact that I couldn’t. Although right now what I’m feeling is disappointment, I know God has a plan, I know He has a bigger plan and what I’m feeling now is nothing compared with the magnificence, greatness and kindness of His ultimate grand plan.

So I had to come home, where I have been, locked away from people since leaving Keswick last week. I am still feeling rough … existing health problems make it hard for me to shake things off so It’ll probably take me a while to recover properly. Then I plan on spending a lot of time talking to God and just being with Him, seeing what he has in store for me in the immediate future.

I left my job at Emmanuel college a couple of weeks ago. I had been working there for 5 or 6 years teaching singing and directing their choirs. It was a big risk to leave, both professionally and financially but it needed to be done… it was time to move on. You see, when I do something I want to be the best I can possibly be at it, for my peace of mind and for the benefit of others …in this case – my students. I don’t understand teachers who don’t do the best they can do for their students, it just shows a lack of care for others and a lack of self respect as well. Anyway, I have spent the last 6 to 8 years trying to be the best teacher I can be, but realised recently that doing that took up so much of my time that I have neglected other things which are really important to me. I love helping my students to fulfill their potential and to reach for their dreams but I realised that I’m not ready to give up on my own God given dreams. I have always had a passion for music and singing, and my drive to be the best teacher I can be squeezed out my time and drive to become the best singer, songwriter and musician I can be. I just don’t want to be sitting in that room at Emmanuel aged fifty thinking that I wish I’d tried while I was still young and brave enough! Better to take the risk, and risk failing than to stay safe and secure in something that’s easy, safe and secure! John Ortberg (I think?) said ‘If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to step out of the boat’. I’m stepping out and I’m well aware of the risk personally (my dreams might fail), financially (how will we cope loosing this much income), and professionally (I could loose out as a singing teacher in the long run). I’m taking that risk and I’m trusting God to hold me in all things. If I’ve made a mistake He’ll sustain me and provide – He has never let me down yet. if I haven’t made a mistake then I’m looking forward to the exciting adventure to come.

I think I’ve rambled on enough for now … I’ll leave it there

Thanks for reading

Jayne

Posted on June 20th, 2009 at 2:04 PM / No comments

Hello people and welcome to the new look, re-designed, all new jaynelewis.com!

Have a look around and see what you think!!

The site was in desperate need of a facelift, it’s been the same since 2004 so I thought it was about time to freshen it up! So with the help of an expert old friend – here it is!

As you will see, I have a new album about to be released  (after a 5 year wait after Orange sky!!) the new album is called ‘Exactly where I am’ and it will be released soon – watch this space!!

So ….. enjoy the new look site … let me know what you think!!

Thanks

Jayne