Artists

The Talleys

Out of Africa

Hi everyone.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed spending the day at home with my grandparents and Kirk, and I know it can sound trite, but as I looked around the table, I truly felt grateful. God has made this a most interesting year for me. Later that evening we yelled at the TV as our Tennessee Lady Vols routed Michigan State. How does a holiday get any better? Of course, our rest never lasts too long.

I attended the second annual Harmony Honors presented by the Southern Gospel Music Guild on November 21. Mom and Dad were unable to join me, so I performed "His Life For Mine" solo. Writer Rebecca Peck later joined me to accept the plaque for "His Life For Mine" for Song of the Year. The Talleys also accepted three awards in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from the Southern Gospel Music Awards, presented by Caraway Music Group. I received the plaque for Female Soloist, The Talley Trio won for Favorite Trio, and "His Life For Mine" was the Song of the Year. Thanks to everyone for your support of our music.

We had a great time at Praise Gathering a few weeks ago. The Talley Trio performed on two afternoon showcases with the Homecoming Friends as well as afternoon concerts with many other artists such as Fernando Ortega and the Christ Church Choir. I did a solo set on a showcase featuring contemporary artists Out of Eden, Selah and the Katinas. I love Praise Gathering because it allows me an opportunity to meet and listen to other artists that I otherwise wouldn't come in contact with very often. This was the final year for Praise Gathering but one that we'll remember for a long time.

We are very excited about our upcoming trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. We leave December 6 and return on the 11th, and I am so excited to spend my birthday, the 11th, on a plane for about 20 hours! However long the flight, I think the end will justify the means; besides, that's what books and iPods are for, right? The Gaither Homecoming Tour will be filming two videos while in Africa, one of them being a Christmas video. We'll do our best to have some pictures from South Africa on our website very soon, and I'm sure it will be the trip of a lifetime.

I must race out the door to meet the bus. God bless you all, and don't forget to do some of your Christmas shopping at http://www.talleytrio.com.

Until next time,

Lauren Talley
The Talley Trio
http://www.talleytri.com