| I met Jana Alayra, back in 1999, during one of | | | | the sound bugs while I chat! |
| her church concerts. The energy she brought was | | | | Ron is vigilantly devoted to our kids and to me |
| electrifying. The children went crazy over her | | | | being their full-time mom, so he works tirelessly |
| performance, so crazy that you would have | | | | on all the administrative aspects (I would make a |
| thought Barney or the cast of Sesame Street | | | | hash of that stuff anyway). When our house |
| had entered the building. When her performance | | | | became half office, with two employees, ringing |
| was over, she came back to sing some | | | | phones and music products overflowing the |
| “adult” songs for our women’s | | | | shelves, he made the scary but wise decision to |
| ministry and talk about her life as a Christian. She | | | | rent office space and move our office out of the |
| left us in tears, but more importantly she left us | | | | house. |
| inspired. I hope that this interview has captured | | | | I absolutely love that I get to be a mom to my |
| the essence that is Jana and it will cause you to | | | | kids, and for now it is also a huge joy to share |
| want to learn more about her… | | | | our music and message as God calls us. There is |
| Alyice: How long have you been a Christian | | | | no way both of those could happen without Ron. |
| musician and singer? | | | | We really do make a GREAT TEAM—and we |
| Jana: I'm not sure where it "officially" started. I | | | | still have crushes on each other. |
| began leading worship in my early twenties. I | | | | Alyice: While your talents surely deserve a major |
| worked as a background vocalist and performed | | | | recording deal, you’ve chosen a music career |
| live with a professional children's artist named | | | | on your own terms. |
| Mary Rice Hopkins, while continuing to lead | | | | |
| worship and write music for adults. When I was | | | | Jana: Why did you choose to run your own music |
| 28, I recorded my first collection of original praise | | | | company and not go with a recording label? |
| tunes. I guess when that came out, I began to be | | | | I'll be honest and say that nobody has knocked |
| thought of as a "professional"—I just got paid | | | | down our door to make such a deal. But if they |
| to do what I love. | | | | had, I feel that with what Ron and I have |
| My husband, Ron, produced our first children's CD | | | | witnessed, we probably would have chosen this |
| in 1996, which opened up a whole new world of | | | | same route. I know that record labels do a great |
| concerts and recording for children and | | | | job introducing artists to a world who would |
| families—could barely keep up. By 1997, he quit | | | | otherwise not have access to their music. But the |
| his job with Mercedes Benz and went into full time | | | | contracts often require a lot of travel, and having |
| recording and production. So, I suppose we have | | | | to surrender a degree of your artistic and |
| both been "professional" since then. | | | | creative decision-making abilities to the recording |
| Alyice: Did you always want to sing professionally? | | | | label. While this arrangement might be okay for |
| Jana: When I was little, my sisters and I would | | | | some artists and musicians, particularly young, |
| hang sheets in the basement and do our own little | | | | single artists who can really focus on "getting out |
| productions of "The Sound of Music" or "Oliver". I | | | | there", it's not as good for a busy family of five. |
| believe it was then that we all dreamt of being | | | | Our exposure has mostly been through |
| professional singers. But, I never had any formal | | | | word-of-mouth and the ripple effect from |
| training when it came to music, so I never | | | | performing at a few major Christian conventions. |
| thought I would go beyond just little | | | | Recently we have entered into a couple of minor |
| performances here and there: weddings, a coffee | | | | distributions relationships, working with companies |
| house, etc. | | | | who can get our music onto bookstore shelves |
| I don't have a big, trained, stellar voice, so I don't | | | | and into a few publications that we simply couldn't |
| think of myself as a professional "singer." I know | | | | reach on our own. |
| the Lord has given me a pleasant voice that | | | | It's nice to have people ask for our music around |
| people can easily sing with, and more importantly, | | | | the country and know its making a difference. But |
| a message of hope to share. The fact that we | | | | that said, I believe we did the right thing for our |
| make a living doing that continues to amaze me. | | | | family in keeping it small and in our control, where |
| Alyice: At the age of 10, you taught yourself to | | | | we have been able to make the decisions. We |
| play the guitar. How do you go about teaching | | | | can determine our schedule and what we do with |
| yourself to play a musical instrument, let alone | | | | our music. |
| read the music? | | | | Alyice: What was the most difficult part about |
| Jana: This was back in Indiana, and trust me, | | | | going out on your own? |
| those winters could get long and boring. We often | | | | Jana: First, suddenly having our home become an |
| rummaged around looking for something new to | | | | office. Then as we grew, the challenge of |
| do or play with. On one of our closet explores, I | | | | entrusting some of the beloved responsibilities to |
| came across an old dusty guitar tucked way back | | | | others. Thankfully, we have always had wonderful |
| in the corner of my mom's side of the closet. I | | | | office help and a wonderful booking agent to |
| was surprised to find out, from my mom, that | | | | represent us well, but there is part of me that still |
| she had tinkered with the guitar years ago | | | | wants to get in there and do all the planning and |
| because we never heard her play, but it was a | | | | talking to everyone. |
| short-lived hobby. So when I asked if I could play | | | | For most people, the financial fear that comes |
| with it, my mom gladly handed it over, along with | | | | with going out "on your own" can be paralyzing. |
| several old books on guitar technique and chords | | | | So far, we haven't had to grovel for bookings, |
| (by Ernie Ball). | | | | but we've definitely had to make financial |
| For whatever reason, I took to the challenge and | | | | adjustments. |
| taught myself the chords, in the book, fairly | | | | Alyice: What is the most rewarding part about |
| quickly. It must have been a God-given desire to | | | | being the songwriter, singer, and manager of your |
| press on, because I think you're either motivated | | | | own company? |
| to learn or you're not. I just kept playing and | | | | Jana: I don't know what its like to be on the other |
| playing, strumming and strumming for hours and | | | | side, but we've had people tell us how lucky we |
| hours in my bedroom until I could finally make it | | | | are to have our ministry be just that...our ministry. |
| through a few songs. I think the first complete | | | | It is a thrill to have the Lord give me songs at |
| song I learned was "By the Time I Get to | | | | my kitchen table, watch Ron make them come |
| Phoenix," by Glen Campbell. | | | | alive in the studio, and a year later hear that they |
| From there I learned songs either by buying | | | | are inspiring children and adults on the other side |
| music with guitar chords or by copying what I | | | | of the country. |
| heard on records, but to this day I only know | | | | Most people would find that incredibly rewarding, |
| chords. I cannot read written music. People find it | | | | and I do, too. I know we're blessed. We get to do |
| amazing that a "professional" musician, singer, | | | | what we love, and sing and speak for Jesus, in a |
| songwriter, and performer can get by without | | | | way that is hand-in-glove with our gifts. And of |
| being able to read music. Actually, I wish I had | | | | course, singing live in front of hundreds of kids |
| learned somewhere along the line because it limits | | | | beaming with enthusiasm, praising God, and |
| me terribly now. I have to rely on my husband | | | | shouting out the words to our songs--how fun is |
| and band members to decipher written music or | | | | that!? |
| put what I write into sheet music—maybe | | | | Alyice: What is the most rewarding part about |
| someday I'll learn. | | | | having your husband as the producer of your |
| Alyice: Did you have any training to help you write | | | | music? |
| your own music and songs or was it simply a | | | | Jana: I get a huge crush on Ron when I watch |
| God-given talent? | | | | him work. He is insanely gifted, and people ask |
| Jana: As I mentioned, I've never had any formal | | | | me all the time where it all came from. But I will |
| training, but between the ages of 25 and 31 I lead | | | | tell you that his meticulous, perfectionist way can |
| worship for a group of 200 college students, at | | | | be a challenge for impetuous, impatient me. And |
| my church, which was invaluable experience in | | | | we've had our share of disagreements through |
| terms of writing music. I was immersed in that | | | | the isolation booth window. |
| growing world of "worship" music. I knew dozens | | | | The following interaction while recording: |
| and dozens of songs (by heart!) and constantly | | | | Me: That was good, huh? |
| playing my guitar in front of people. This | | | | Ron: Nope. Try again. |
| undoubtedly was God "training" me. I think by | | | | Me: But what was wrong with that?! |
| seeing what people responded to, this experience | | | | Ron: You can do better. Let's try it again. |
| gave me a sense for what kind of songs fit well | | | | I try a few more times, we disagree a few more |
| for me. | | | | times, and the "try agains" become just clicks in |
| In my teenage years I had written a few songs, | | | | my headphones that tell me we're trying it again, |
| but at this period in my life there was just a | | | | like it or not.) But when it's all finished and people |
| creative explosion for me. I didn't have children | | | | rave about how the songs SOUND, I brag about |
| yet, so I had more time to grow musically. A | | | | my producer, my boss, and my husband. I really |
| good friend played piano, and our styles | | | | am proud of him. |
| complimented each other perfectly. We would | | | | Alyice: It is my understanding that one can rent a |
| just start playing together (I guess the musician | | | | recording studio for their private label, instead of |
| term is "jamming") and songs would come out. It | | | | putting up the millions of dollars it takes to own |
| seemed that every time I read the Bible, a song | | | | one’s own recording studio. How does one go |
| would pop into my head so I would grab my | | | | about finding a recording studio to rent and what |
| guitar and some scrap paper and begin scribbling, | | | | is the process of making one’s own album |
| reworking, and re-writing. | | | | really like? |
| Sometimes the result was a complete song; other | | | | Jana: My first three CDs (all "grown-up" music) |
| times, just a great time with God and a scrap to | | | | were done in other people's studios. They were |
| be lost. Writing songs, just became part of my | | | | friends whose work we respected, and they |
| everyday life. | | | | were available at the time! Nowadays, a lot of |
| Undoubtedly, the experience I had performing | | | | people have really nice small studios with incredible |
| with Mary Rice Hopkins must have influenced or | | | | equipment. I think it just takes some asking |
| inspired a natural knack for writing catchy kids | | | | around, looking in trade magazines. |
| songs. Mary is the queen of catchy! But when I | | | | We had wonderful producers whose skills were |
| was working with her, I never thought of nor | | | | worth the pricey price tag. But usually they have |
| aspired to write my own children's music. I only | | | | a few projects going at once, or the next on on |
| wrote adult praise tunes at the time. But at one | | | | the calendar breathing down your neck. There is |
| point, several years after I stopped working with | | | | always more to do, more to add, more to |
| her to raise my children, I was asked to write a | | | | change, and more to fix. It took us a long time |
| theme song for a children's summer program. It | | | | and a lot of investing to get our studio to the |
| came quickly and easily. The kids responded to it | | | | place where Ron is satisfied (and there will always |
| enthusiastically. Ever since then, my brain goes in | | | | be updates), but it's so nice to be able to work at |
| both directions when writing--sometimes in the | | | | our own pace and not have to pay by the hour! |
| adult genre; sometimes towards a catchy little | | | | Alyice: Many musicians started out singing in |
| ditty designed for children. The children's songs | | | | churches, but left for fame in the secular world. |
| I've written have been inspired by a number of | | | | What keeps you from switching over? |
| things—obviously, the Bible, and also my own | | | | Jana: Fame for fame's sake, without a genuine |
| kids' comments or thoughts about something | | | | message> No thanks. Maybe it's because I'm old |
| they've learned, or something I hope they learn. | | | | enough to see how fleeting and pointless that is. |
| On the last two kids CDs, there have been a few | | | | Maybe it's because I've seen people become |
| songs that Ron and I actually wrote together. He | | | | intoxicated with accolades, become their own god, |
| came up with a cool rhythm and I wrote the | | | | trash their marriages and families, all for "being |
| lyrics. Then we worked through the whole song | | | | there." Or, maybe it's because of the perspective |
| together. As difficult as working together can | | | | I have for eternity. |
| potentially be, those songs were just a blast to | | | | Eight years ago, my four year old daughter |
| develop together. | | | | suddenly died in a car accident. When she flew to |
| Alyice: Where do the ideas for your songs come | | | | heaven, part of me went with her, and lives there |
| from and what process do you usually take to | | | | in heaven. She keeps me mindful of what matters |
| write them? | | | | here on earth. Storing up our treasure in heaven; |
| Jana: As I just mentioned (maybe I should read | | | | living for people, for hearts, and for Jesus. That |
| through these questions before I ramble!), by far | | | | little girl of mine now looks in the face of our |
| the most common source of inspiration for me is | | | | Savior, and I know what she sees is love, |
| the Bible. Second to that is hearing someone | | | | humility, compassion, generosity, and hope--these |
| teaching from the bible. There have been many | | | | things drive my life, and keep in check any illusions |
| sermons I've sat through where it might have | | | | I might have about who I am. |
| looked like I was taking copious notes, but I was | | | | As long as God gives me a voice and an |
| actually scribbling out lyrics to a song that had | | | | audience, I'm thrilled to share His message of |
| popped into my head. Sometimes a thought or | | | | hope. I don't think singing about anything else |
| song idea just pops into my head in such a | | | | would be very fulfilling for me. |
| random way—like when I'm in the grocery | | | | Alyice: What is it like traveling as performers, |
| store or waiting in line at the bank. So keeping | | | | while raising three young children? How do you |
| paper and pencil handy is always important for | | | | hold your family together? |
| me. I've lost a lot of song ideas on rumpled pieces | | | | Jana: The traveling we do has mostly been within |
| of napkin or tiny receipts, which often wind up in | | | | the country, and usually for a weekend at a time; |
| the lint compartment of my dryer. | | | | with longer stints in the summer. We spend a lot |
| People sing about what is on their heart. God has | | | | of money on plane fares to bring the girls with us |
| utterly changed my life in so many ways. He is | | | | on most of our trips, but as expensive as that is, |
| my passion, my hope, my joy, and that music | | | | it's worth it. Our hosts often have children |
| and that message just comes out of me. | | | | themselves, so the girls have made friends all |
| Alyice: When did you get your first big break as a | | | | over the country, and received many little goodie |
| singer and how did it come about? | | | | bags here and there, which is always a thrill for |
| Jana: I guess the first experience that really | | | | them. |
| boosted my confidence as a singer was when I | | | | They still love jumping from bed to bed in the |
| was 22. I was asked to lead worship for a | | | | hotel rooms and checking out each tiny, |
| service of 500 college students down in San | | | | over-chlorinated pool. We try to sneak in a little |
| Diego, California. I was terrified at first, but it | | | | sight-seeing wherever we go, so we've seen a lot! |
| quickly became so natural for me that I no longer | | | | We now have a junior higher who sometimes |
| afraid of being in front of people. | | | | prefers to stay home with her friends for all her |
| A big "break" professionally-speaking, was working | | | | social and sporting events and that's okay. Now |
| with Mary. We sang in front of hundreds of | | | | and then Ron and I sneak off and do an event |
| audiences all over the country, which surely | | | | without the kids, either for a needed date, or just |
| bolstered my confidence. And it was Mary that | | | | because of a packed schedule that would be no |
| gave me my first experience in the recording | | | | fun for them. In the future, we hope to travel to |
| studio. | | | | more third world areas and share those times |
| Alyice: How long have you been partners, in the | | | | with the girls. So far, it has all worked out |
| music industry, with your husband Ron? | | | | wonderfully. |
| Jana: Ron and I were on a worship team for 4 | | | | Alyice: What do you find the most rewarding part |
| years before we were married. He is a terrific | | | | about your career? |
| drummer and I always admired the sensitivity | | | | Jana: It's tough to pinpoint what is the most |
| with which he plays. We have lead worship, held | | | | rewarding thing, because I love so much about |
| concerts, and performed together ever since we | | | | what we do. I love making music that makes kids |
| first met, so its just a natural common thread in | | | | stop fighting in the car and start singing about |
| our relationship. We had been married two years | | | | God. I love sharing with women the funny things |
| when it became obvious that the ministry was | | | | about being a mom, and how we have a God |
| requiring all of Ron's efforts. So with a leap of | | | | whose love is deeper than any pit we can ever |
| faith, he quit his job and began to produce music | | | | fall in and the one thing that won't change when |
| and manage our ministry full-time. For a while he | | | | so many things do. I love slipping CDs into the |
| was also producing and engineering for other | | | | purse of a friend in need. I love hearing how our |
| artists as well as our own music business. Today, | | | | songs have "transformed" the worship time at |
| he only has time for ours music business. So, if | | | | such and such a church. |
| your count up the almost 10 years we've been | | | | But there are those times when I get drained, like |
| married and the 4 before that, we've been | | | | after being the keynote speaker several times in |
| partners for 14 years. | | | | a row, and I've shared so much of my heart with |
| Alyice: How has working with Ron enhanced your | | | | often total strangers. There are times when I |
| marriage, home life, and business? | | | | wish I could be like many of the other moms at |
| Jana: Working with your spouse can be a wild | | | | school who can devote all of their energy to their |
| ride--the joys are huge, but the disagreements | | | | children's lives. I can lose perspective when the |
| can multiply as well. We're always learning how to | | | | kids grumble about getting on a plane AGAIN and |
| find a balance in that. When all is said and done, it | | | | having to miss a soccer game. But then comes |
| is a thrill to have a shared vision, shared ministry, | | | | the e-mail that someone in Virginia has a little |
| and shared life. We are together so much that | | | | autistic boy who watches our video non-stop and |
| sometimes I nearly shove him out the door to go | | | | now signs and sings "Jesus loves me," I am |
| on a Home Depot run. But I wouldn't trade this | | | | overwhelmed. Then I hear of a mom who is |
| life, God has given us, for anything. | | | | grieving the loss of a child, so I send a CD with a |
| Because I am the visible, verbal part of our | | | | song for Lynnie, she writes back that it |
| ministry, people often come up to Ron and say | | | | encouraged her to keep her eyes on heaven and |
| things like, "You are such a wonderful support for | | | | I am humbled. Then comes a concert where I |
| Jana," or "It must be a little odd being in the | | | | look into the bright little faces of hundreds of little |
| background behind Jana." Obviously he is a huge | | | | children as they sing and shout songs about Jesus, |
| support and encouragement to me (as well as an | | | | and I a choke back the tears. |
| honest critic), but the truth is that our ministry is | | | | After the concert comes a wilted rose picked |
| truly a team effort, and he is the harder working | | | | from a mommy's garden with a child's drawing |
| half! | | | | attached and a note from mom that says, |
| I write the songs and do my portion recording | | | | "Thank you for teaching my children to praise |
| them, but Ron spends months in the studio | | | | God. Thank you for teaching ME to praise God |
| producing them with excellence. He is truly the | | | | with them. Please don't stop what you're doing." I |
| more musical of the two of us. He does read | | | | cannot count the times I've heard stories and |
| music, knows amazing players, and brings them | | | | read letters that have made me weep, thinking |
| into the studio and into our band. When we do live | | | | that maybe God has used little me, my husband, |
| concerts, I show up two hours early; he shows | | | | and our family to spread His love, His joy, His |
| up three or four hours early. He heaves heavy | | | | hope. That is rewarding beyond words. |
| equipment, organizes the stage and works out | | | | |