Myesha Chaney: 'Slowly but surely, God validated that my voice was perfect for His ministry.'

'Young, Fun, Passionate, Liberating'

Myesha Chaney speaks of music, faith and a rousing new album

By Bob Marovich

To say that Myesha Chaney has a lot on her plate these days would be an understatement.

Chaney's single, "I Came to Lift Him," co-written with Tammi and Gerald Haddon, is sizzling the airwaves. Her debut full-length Kingdomanity/Relevé Entertainment CD Take Him to the World was released July 3. Its powerful assertions of faith and conviction are fueled by an amalgam of rock, soul and hip-hop influences in a state-of-the-art soundscape sculpted to match the intensity of Ms. Chaney's emotionally gripping, incantatory testifying.

Additionally, Chaney and her husband, Pastor Wayne Chaney, co-host a popular weekly radio show, "Real Life with Pastor Wayne and Myesha Chaney," on Stevie Wonder's KJLH-FM in Los Angeles. They are the founders of the Long Beach Gospel Fest. Myesha is a contributing writer for EURweb.com, has a weekly blog on Interactive One's Elev8.com and also contributes articles for the Essence magazine blog.

Gospel editor Bob Marovich caught up with the über-busy singer-songwriter to talk about her new album and what got her interested in gospel music. His interview with Ms. Chaney is also posted at his authoritative Black Gospel Blog.

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What in your early life led you to singing and writing?

I grew up in Long Beach, California. As far back as I can remember, I was singing. I sang so much in the house that my father would ask me to go outside and sing! I would sing in my backyard, have my own concerts. People knew if I wasn't singing, I wasn't in a good mood.

I always had a desire to sing because I was around musical people. In high school, however, I took on some insecurities about singing, which delayed my journey. But when I became more passionate about God, it led me to leading worship. Slowly but surely, God validated that my voice was perfect for His ministry.

Myesha Chaney delivers a dynamic, soul stirring performance of 'Freedom' at the non-denominational Antioch Church of Long Beach, her home church, where she met her husband, Wayne, who is now Antioch’s Senior Pastor.

Who have been your inspirations, musically?

Although I attended church, I was also interested in pop culture and secular music, artists such as Brandy. After I decided to devote my life to God, I kicked out the secular and listened to gospel singers like Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, and Kirk Franklin. Mom played Shirley Caesar.

Tell us about your church in Long Beach.

Antioch Church of Long Beach, California, is the first and only church of which I have been a member. I attended as a young girl and it just stuck with me. I met my husband Wayne there when I was eighteen. He ended up taking over the church; he is now Senior Pastor. It was originally a traditional Baptist church but now it is non-denominational with approximately 3,000 members. People travel from as far away as Corona [California] and the Valley to attend services here.

What is the theme of your new album, Take Him to the World?

I want people to know through the album that there is freedom in expression. Music is liberating. It expresses that you can be whoever you want to be. It's my desire to use music to take God to the world, to those who don't know Him. Take Him to the World is my debut CD. I never even sang on someone else's album before.

Myesha Chaney's 'I Came to Lift Him,' the first single from her newly released debut album, Take Him to the World

How would you describe your brand of gospel music?

Young, fun, passionate and liberating.

How did you secure the Haddons to help write your latest single, 'I Came to Lift Him'?

I met Tammi and Gerald Haddon through Holly Carter, a manager. We have a great chemistry together!

What has been the response to your single thus far?

It’s been great! Los Angeles is using the song as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign.

From a prayer meeting at Antioch Church of Long Beach, Myesha Chaney performs 'The Sound of Chains'

You are on a promotional tour right now. With such a busy schedule, what keeps you centered?

It takes a lot of effort to stay centered because you are "always on." Sleep is my best friend. It is essential for me. With the extra traveling I'm doing now, I need to be more intentional about taking some time for myself. It will keep me emotionally happy.

What do you want the world to know about Myesha Chaney?

I am a very real person with real experiences who is obedient to God, who helps me cultivate a fresh experience in music.

For more information on Myesha Chaney, visit her website.