A cause worth singing about
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A mother of three, Layman, who has a natural gift for singing, said she always dreamed of recording professionally. Last year, when Rivendell Recording Projects began offering professional recording services to artists both near and far after setting up shop on Shady Rest Road, Layman said the opportunity was something she just couldn’t pass up.
After recording a 10-song Christian CD that includes bluegrass, old hymnal favorites, a duet of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” with local favorite Maxine Weeden, as well as three original songs written by Dr. Sam Young, Layman’s dream has finally come true. However, it has also evolved into an act of kindness.
Having experience as foster parents, Layman and her husband, Dr. Doug Layman, knew something about helping children in times of need. She decided to donate the proceeds of the sale of her CD, called “Colors of the Spirit,” to the Kids of the Community program, which is a grass-roots juvenile court program designed to help at-risk children.
Reports were that just in the few weeks the $10 CD has been available, an estimated $1,000 has been donated to the program due to CD sales.
“I felt so blessed that I wanted to let the money go to some worthy cause and my husband and I have been foster parents. We just have a tender area in our hearts for the children in our society who need help,” Layman said.
It’s about the music and the songs, mostly sung by Layman performing both harmony and backup, but it’s also about giving back to the community, she added. Layman found others were interested in helping too, and was surprised to learn Deborah Good Photography was willing to help and donated a photograph to accompany news releases about the CD.
Juvenile Court Judge Larry Ross said he is thrilled with the effort.
“You hear people talk about caring and presenting themselves as caring, and I think this is certainly an example of a selfless act by somebody who cares about kids,” Ross said. “This is something she did on her own. She knew about our program and is a believer in kids. She believes in helping and I think she’s living what she believes. We’re just thrilled.”
Copies of the CD are available at First United Methodist Church, USA Gym, Logan Farms, Cleaners Express, McMinnville Civic Center, Luann and Company, and Clear Channel Communications.