Lauren Talley On How Her New Album is Influenced by a Blog Post, Her Son's Brain Tumor, Jesus' Self Sacrifice & More

This Is For You is Lauren Talley's first collection in three years, and the first since The Talleys, the family trio in which she'd sung for more than 20 years, elected to retire from touring in 2020. From the opening line of the title track (and next radio single) to the last notes of the restrained, yet deeply emotional "Lord's Prayer," This Is For You is a finely crafted yet revelatory exploration of the wellsprings of faith through music.

The album is now available for pre-order, add or save ahead of its November 11 release.

Talley is one of Christian music's most dynamic talents and has inspired a generation of young people to serve the Lord. She has recorded seven solo albums, including 2019's unprecedented release of two albums simultaneously, Glorious God: Songs of Worship and Wonder, and Loudest Praise: Hymns Of Mercy, Love and Grace. Her 2017 album, The Gospel, reached the number one position on Billboard's Top Christian Inspirational chart. She is also the author of Songs In The Night, a companion devotional book to her 2010 album of the same title. 

Q:  Thank you Lauren for doing this interview with us. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your new solo record. How do you feel as you look back at the making of this new record?

It's always exciting to release new music, to inject your career and concerts with a fresh sound and sing songs that reflect your journey where you are. I've released seven solo albums prior to This Is for You, but the new one is my first as a full time soloist since the retirement of The Talleys, and I think it's the perfect way to usher in a new era of music and ministry. 

Q: I am excited to know that Gordon Mote produced the album . What do you think Gordon brings to the record that you appreciate? 

Gordon and I collaborated on a song on my 2017 release, The Gospel, and we had so much fun in the process that I knew I wanted to work more with him. 
I wanted to bring in a fresh pair of ears for this record, someone who knew my existing music but could bring a new perspective to what I do. I wanted to be pushed as an artist. Gordon has a specific vision for each song, and he doesn't rest until he achieves the sound he wants. I appreciate that attention to detail and that level of care.

It's quite the endeavor of trust to place your sound as an artist in the hands of a producer and trust that they will bring out the best in you, that they'll have your best interests in mind. In my opinion, Gordon Mote truly cares about the artists he works with and represents them well, and for that he deserves the wall full of awards that he has!

Q: Why did you entitle the album "This is for You"?

About a year ago, I came across a blog post called "This Is For You," dedicated to acknowledging all the folks seemingly on the sidelines of life, the ones left behind, forgotten, rejected. It was not written from a Christian perspective, per se, but when I read it, I knew the idea of "This Is For You" had to become a song. 

As I wrote the song, to "the ones who are broken deep down inside and you're trying to hide," I wanted to say to people that Jesus offers Himself to us when we're broken, betrayed, and suffering. That's why He died...to redeem us from our sins, our mistakes, our regrets. The song is for you, the album is for you, but ultimately, His sacrifice on the cross is for you. 

Q:  How many songs did you co-write or write on this album? Who are some of your co-writers? 

I have two songs, "This Is For You," and "Say Yes I Am," and my husband, Sam Hoyle, and I co-wrote "That's What I Love About Him," which is one of my favorite songs on the album. I also co-wrote "In The Room" with Kenna Turner West and Michael Farren. All of these songs contain experiences from my own life and family. 

Q: Care to share with us any exciting stories as you were writing for this album? 

I have five bonus kids, and our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor while I was in the process of making this album. We didn't know what we'd be facing as a family, and my faith was tested on a whole new level. The second verse of "In The Room," tells a bit of that story, of standing outside his hospital room waiting for his diagnosis. 

I'm very thankful to report that he has made very good progress and is on the path to recovery, and it makes these songs even more special to be able to tell people from personal experience that "we're never ever really alone, never by ourselves....He's right there In The Room."

Q:  Why did you choose to cover Charity Gayle's "Thank You Jesus for the Blood"?

Well, I just love Charity Gayle's writing. Her songs are appropriate for any setting and any audience. After I had about the third person tell me, "You gotta sing Thank You Jesus For The Blood!" I thought, "Ok, this is a song I've got to check out." It was the first one I picked for the record. I think it will connect with every audience and bring a spirit of worship to every concert. 

Q:  How do you hope these songs will impact the lives of your listeners?

I hope the listeners will feel like we've got something in common, that a friend is singing to them. There's so much of my life in these lyrics; I hope folks will know that we're all walking through this life and learning together. I hope they'll feel the joy in "How I Got Over," "Shut Him Up" and "That's What I Love About Him." I hope they'll feel some companionship in knowing He's walked right "Where You've Walked." I hope they'll know that not only is this record for them, but Jesus gave Himself...for them.

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