I met Jana Alayra, back in 1999, during one of her church concerts. The energy she brought was electrifying. The children went crazy over her performance, so crazy that you would have thought Barney or the cast of Sesame Street had entered the building. When her performance was over, she came back to sing some "adult" songs for our women's ministry and talk about her life as a Christian. She left us in tears, but more importantly she left us inspired. I hope that this interview has captured the essence that is Jana and it will cause you to want to learn more about her...

How long have you been a Christian musician and singer?

I'm not sure where it "officially" started. I began leading worship in my early twenties. I worked as a background vocalist and performed live with a professional children's artist named Mary Rice Hopkins, while continuing to lead worship and write music for adults. When I was 28, I recorded my first collection of original praise tunes. I guess when that came out, I began to be thought of as a "professional"-I just got paid to do what I love.

My husband, Ron, produced our first children's CD in 1996, which opened up a whole new world of concerts and recording for children and families-could barely keep up. By 1997, he quit his job with Mercedes Benz and went into full time recording and production. So, I suppose we have both been "professional" since then.

Did you always want to sing professionally?

When I was little, my sisters and I would hang sheets in the basement and do our own little productions of "The Sound of Music" or "Oliver". I believe it was then that we all dreamt of being professional singers. But, I never had any formal training when it came to music, so I never thought I would go beyond just little performances here and there: weddings, a coffee house, etc.

I don't have a big, trained, stellar voice, so I don't think of myself as a professional "singer." I know the Lord has given me a pleasant voice that people can easily sing with, and more importantly, a message of hope to share. The fact that we make a living doing that continues to amaze me.

At the age of 10, you taught yourself to play the guitar. How do you go about teaching yourself to play a musical instrument, let alone read the music?

This was back in Indiana, and trust me, those winters could get long and boring. We often rummaged around looking for something new to do or play with. On one of our closet explores, I came across an old dusty guitar tucked way back in the corner of my mom's side of the closet. I was surprised to find out, from my mom, that she had tinkered with the guitar years ago because we never heard her play, but it was a short-lived hobby. So when I asked if I could play with it, my mom gladly handed it over, along with several old books on guitar technique and chords (by Ernie Ball).

For whatever reason, I took to the challenge and taught myself the chords, in the book, fairly quickly. It must have been a God-given desire to press on, because I think you're either motivated to learn or you're not. I just kept playing and playing, strumming and strumming for hours and hours in my bedroom until I could finally make it through a few songs. I think the first complete song I learned was "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," by Glen Campbell.

From there I learned songs either by buying music with guitar chords or by copying what I heard on records, but to this day I only know chords. I cannot read written music. People find it amazing that a "professional" musician, singer, songwriter, and performer can get by without being able to read music. Actually, I wish I had learned somewhere along the line because it limits me terribly now. I have to rely on my husband and band members to decipher written music or put what I write into sheet music-maybe someday I'll learn.

Did you have any training to help you write your own music and songs or was it simply a God-given talent?

As I mentioned, I've never had any formal training, but between the ages of 25 and 31 I lead worship for a group of 200 college students, at my church, which was invaluable experience in terms of writing music. I was immersed in that growing world of "worship" music. I knew dozens and dozens of songs (by heart!) and constantly playing my guitar in front of people. This undoubtedly was God "training" me. I think by seeing what people responded to, this experience gave me a sense for what kind of songs fit well for me.

In my teenage years I had written a few songs, but at this period in my life there was just a creative explosion for me. I didn't have children yet, so I had more time to grow musically. A good friend played piano, and our styles complimented each other perfectly. We would just start playing together (I guess the musician term is "jamming") and songs would come out. It seemed that every time I read the Bible, a song would pop into my head so I would grab my guitar and some scrap paper and begin scribbling, reworking, and re-writing.

Sometimes the result was a complete song; other times, just a great time with God and a scrap to be lost. Writing songs, just became part of my everyday life.

Undoubtedly, the experience I had performing with Mary Rice Hopkins must have influenced or inspired a natural knack for writing catchy kids songs. Mary is the queen of catchy! But when I was working with her, I never thought of nor aspired to write my own children's music. I only wrote adult praise tunes at the time. But at one point, several years after I stopped working with her to raise my children, I was asked to write a theme song for a children's summer program. It came quickly and easily. The kids responded to it enthusiastically. Ever since then, my brain goes in both directions when writing--sometimes in the adult genre; sometimes towards a catchy little ditty designed for children. The children's songs I've written have been inspired by a number of things-obviously, the Bible, and also my own kids' comments or thoughts about something they've learned, or something I hope they learn.

On the last two kids CDs, there have been a few songs that Ron and I actually wrote together. He came up with a cool rhythm and I wrote the lyrics. Then we worked through the whole song together. As difficult as working together can potentially be, those songs were just a blast to develop together.

Where do the ideas for your songs come from and what process do you usually take to write them?

As I just mentioned (maybe I should read through these questions before I ramble!), by far the most common source of inspiration for me is the Bible. Second to that is hearing someone teaching from the bible. There have been many sermons I've sat through where it might have looked like I was taking copious notes, but I was actually scribbling out lyrics to a song that had popped into my head. Sometimes a thought or song idea just pops into my head in such a random way-like when I'm in the grocery store or waiting in line at the bank. So keeping paper and pencil handy is always important for me. I've lost a lot of song ideas on rumpled pieces of napkin or tiny receipts, which often wind up in the lint compartment of my dryer.

People sing about what is on their heart. God has utterly changed my life in so many ways. He is my passion, my hope, my joy, and that music and that message just comes out of me.

When did you get your first big break as a singer and how did it come about?

I guess the first experience that really boosted my confidence as a singer was when I was 22. I was asked to lead worship for a service of 500 college students down in San Diego, California. I was terrified at first, but it quickly became so natural for me that I no longer afraid of being in front of people.

A big "break" professionally-speaking, was working with Mary. We sang in front of hundreds of audiences all over the country, which surely bolstered my confidence. And it was Mary that gave me my first experience in the recording studio.

How long have you been partners, in the music industry, with your husband Ron?

Ron and I were on a worship team for 4 years before we were married. He is a terrific drummer and I always admired the sensitivity with which he plays. We have lead worship, held concerts, and performed together ever since we first met, so its just a natural common thread in our relationship. We had been married two years when it became obvious that the ministry was requiring all of Ron's efforts. So with a leap of faith, he quit his job and began to produce music and manage our ministry full-time. For a while he was also producing and engineering for other artists as well as our own music business. Today, he only has time for ours music business. So, if your count up the almost 10 years we've been married and the 4 before that, we've been partners for 14 years.

How has working with Ron enhanced your marriage, home life, and business?

Working with your spouse can be a wild ride--the joys are huge, but the disagreements can multiply as well. We're always learning how to find a balance in that. When all is said and done, it is a thrill to have a shared vision, shared ministry, and shared life. We are together so much that sometimes I nearly shove him out the door to go on a Home Depot run. But I wouldn't trade this life, God has given us, for anything.

Because I am the visible, verbal part of our ministry, people often come up to Ron and say things like, "You are such a wonderful support for Jana," or "It must be a little odd being in the background behind Jana." Obviously he is a huge support and encouragement to me (as well as an honest critic), but the truth is that our ministry is truly a team effort, and he is the harder working half!

I write the songs and do my portion recording them, but Ron spends months in the studio producing them with excellence. He is truly the more musical of the two of us. He does read music, knows amazing players, and brings them into the studio and into our band. When we do live concerts, I show up two hours early; he shows up three or four hours early. He heaves heavy equipment, organizes the stage and works out the sound bugs while I chat!

Ron is vigilantly devoted to our kids and to me being their full-time mom, so he works tirelessly on all the administrative aspects (I would make a hash of that stuff anyway). When our house became half office, with two employees, ringing phones and music products overflowing the shelves, he made the scary but wise decision to rent office space and move our office out of the house.

I absolutely love that I get to be a mom to my kids, and for now it is also a huge joy to share our music and message as God calls us. There is no way both of those could happen without Ron. We really do make a GREAT TEAM-and we still have crushes on each other.

While your talents surely deserve a major recording deal, you've chosen a music career on your own terms. Why did you choose to run your own music company and not go with a recording label?

I'll be honest and say that nobody has knocked down our door to make such a deal. But if they had, I feel that with what Ron and I have witnessed, we probably would have chosen this same route. I know that record labels do a great job introducing artists to a world who would otherwise not have access to their music. But the contracts often require a lot of travel, and having to surrender a degree of your artistic and creative decision-making abilities to the recording label. While this arrangement might be okay for some artists and musicians, particularly young, single artists who can really focus on "getting out there", it's not as good for a busy family of five.

Our exposure has mostly been through word-of-mouth and the ripple effect from performing at a few major Christian conventions. Recently we have entered into a couple of minor distributions relationships, working with companies who can get our music onto bookstore shelves and into a few publications that we simply couldn't reach on our own.

It's nice to have people ask for our music around the country and know its making a difference. But that said, I believe we did the right thing for our family in keeping it small and in our control, where we have been able to make the decisions. We can determine our schedule and what we do with our music.

What was the most difficult part about going out on your own?

First, suddenly having our home become an office. Then as we grew, the challenge of entrusting some of the beloved responsibilities to others. Thankfully, we have always had wonderful office help and a wonderful booking agent to represent us well, but there is part of me that still wants to get in there and do all the planning and talking to everyone.

For most people, the financial fear that comes with going out "on your own" can be paralyzing. So far, we haven't had to grovel for bookings, but we've definitely had to make financial adjustments.

What is the most rewarding part about being the songwriter, singer, and manager of your own company?

I don't know what its like to be on the other side, but we've had people tell us how lucky we are to have our ministry be just that...our ministry. It is a thrill to have the Lord give me songs at my kitchen table, watch Ron make them come alive in the studio, and a year later hear that they are inspiring children and adults on the other side of the country.

Most people would find that incredibly rewarding, and I do, too. I know we're blessed. We get to do what we love, and sing and speak for Jesus, in a way that is hand-in-glove with our gifts. And of course, singing live in front of hundreds of kids beaming with enthusiasm, praising God, and shouting out the words to our songs--how fun is that!?

What is the most rewarding part about having your husband as the producer of your music?

I get a huge crush on Ron when I watch him work. He is insanely gifted, and people ask me all the time where it all came from. But I will tell you that his meticulous, perfectionist way can be a challenge for impetuous, impatient me. And we've had our share of disagreements through the isolation booth window.

The following interaction while recording: Me: That was good, huh? Ron: Nope. Try again. Me: But what was wrong with that?! Ron: You can do better. Let's try it again.

I try a few more times, we disagree a few more times, and the "try agains" become just clicks in my headphones that tell me we're trying it again, like it or not.) But when it's all finished and people rave about how the songs SOUND, I brag about my producer, my boss, and my husband. I really am proud of him.

It is my understanding that one can rent a recording studio for their private label, instead of putting up the millions of dollars it takes to own one's own recording studio. How does one go about finding a recording studio to rent and what is the process of making one's own album really like?

My first three CDs (all "grown-up" music) were done in other people's studios. They were friends whose work we respected, and they were available at the time! Nowadays, a lot of people have really nice small studios with incredible equipment. I think it just takes some asking around, looking in trade magazines.

We had wonderful producers whose skills were worth the pricey price tag. But usually they have a few projects going at once, or the next on on the calendar breathing down your neck. There is always more to do, more to add, more to change, and more to fix. It took us a long time and a lot of investing to get our studio to the place where Ron is satisfied (and there will always be updates), but it's so nice to be able to work at our own pace and not have to pay by the hour!

Many musicians started out singing in churches, but left for fame in the secular world. What keeps you from switching over? Fame for fame's sake, without a genuine message> No thanks. Maybe it's because I'm old enough to see how fleeting and pointless that is. Maybe it's because I've seen people become intoxicated with accolades, become their own god, trash their marriages and families, all for "being there." Or, maybe it's because of the perspective I have for eternity.

Eight years ago, my four year old daughter suddenly died in a car accident. When she flew to heaven, part of me went with her, and lives there in heaven. She keeps me mindful of what matters here on earth. Storing up our treasure in heaven; living for people, for hearts, and for Jesus. That little girl of mine now looks in the face of our Savior, and I know what she sees is love, humility, compassion, generosity, and hope--these things drive my life, and keep in check any illusions I might have about who I am.

As long as God gives me a voice and an audience, I'm thrilled to share His message of hope. I don't think singing about anything else would be very fulfilling for me.

What is it like traveling as performers, while raising three young children? How do you hold your family together? The traveling we do has mostly been within the country, and usually for a weekend at a time; with longer stints in the summer. We spend a lot of money on plane fares to bring the girls with us on most of our trips, but as expensive as that is, it's worth it. Our hosts often have children themselves, so the girls have made friends all over the country, and received many little goodie bags here and there, which is always a thrill for them.

They still love jumping from bed to bed in the hotel rooms and checking out each tiny, over-chlorinated pool. We try to sneak in a little sight-seeing wherever we go, so we've seen a lot! We now have a junior higher who sometimes prefers to stay home with her friends for all her social and sporting events and that's okay. Now and then Ron and I sneak off and do an event without the kids, either for a needed date, or just because of a packed schedule that would be no fun for them. In the future, we hope to travel to more third world areas and share those times with the girls. So far, it has all worked out wonderfully.

What do you find the most rewarding part about your career?

It's tough to pinpoint what is the most rewarding thing, because I love so much about what we do. I love making music that makes kids stop fighting in the car and start singing about God. I love sharing with women the funny things about being a mom, and how we have a God whose love is deeper than any pit we can ever fall in and the one thing that won't change when so many things do. I love slipping CDs into the purse of a friend in need. I love hearing how our songs have "transformed" the worship time at such and such a church.

But there are those times when I get drained, like after being the keynote speaker several times in a row, and I've shared so much of my heart with often total strangers. There are times when I wish I could be like many of the other moms at school who can devote all of their energy to their children's lives. I can lose perspective when the kids grumble about getting on a plane AGAIN and having to miss a soccer game. But then comes the e-mail that someone in Virginia has a little autistic boy who watches our video non-stop and now signs and sings "Jesus loves me," I am overwhelmed. Then I hear of a mom who is grieving the loss of a child, so I send a CD with a song for Lynnie, she writes back that it encouraged her to keep her eyes on heaven and I am humbled. Then comes a concert where I look into the bright little faces of hundreds of little children as they sing and shout songs about Jesus, and I a choke back the tears.

After the concert comes a wilted rose picked from a mommy's garden with a child's drawing attached and a note from mom that says, "Thank you for teaching my children to praise God. Thank you for teaching ME to praise God with them. Please don't stop what you're doing." I cannot count the times I've heard stories and read letters that have made me weep, thinking that maybe God has used little me, my husband, and our family to spread His love, His joy, His hope. That is rewarding beyond words.

To learn more about Jana, visit her website at http://janaalayra.com/

About The Author:

Alyice Edrich is an affordable freelance writer specializing in how-to articles and Q&A interviews for the web. To view her freelance rates, or to hire her for your next writing project visit http://alyiceedrich.net To order one of her e-books, visit http://thedabblingmum.com/ebookstore.