Singer/songwriter DEBBY BARNES spoke to Tony Cummings.

Debby Barnes

Tony: Although you live in Oxfordshire, you sound like an American!

Debby: "You're right...I am an American! With a big smile and the accent to prove it! However, we moved to England in 1993 when my husband accepted a European work assignment. I have been writing songs and singing my entire life, but it was only after the encouragement of my family and friends (especially those in the UK) that I began my recording extravaganza!"

Tony: The title track to your first album, 'Hurry To This Heart', got a lot of radio play on Cross Rhythms radio. How does that album compare with this one?

Debby: "My first album was a major leap of faith into the relative unknown. It was a low-budget, 'taste-tester' of different styles. 'Lay Hold' is a big-budget, 'entree'! It's a high-production album and a more cohesive package."

Tony: How was the experience of recording 'Lay Hold'?

Debby: "It's always a 'high' to be working with Phil Goss at Appletree Studio again. Andrew Tweedy and Nancy Sawyer were an added bonus as well! We tried to keep our fingers on the pulse of this second project by allowing it to take on a divine direction of it's own so we could lay down the appropriate stylistic boundaries to suit it. In short, it was fun, fruitful and fulfilling!"

Tony: You played at the Greenbelt Festival this year. How did that go?

Debby: "Greenbelt was a wild, wonderful and uplifting experience. I pray I get another invitation to that party!"

Tony: Spiritually, what are you trying to do with your music?

Debby: "It's very simple. I ache to do something of God which edifies the soul and moves the heart. It's an honour to use a creative medium like music to reach out and touch someone with an irresistable message."