Jaylene Johnson/Josephine Lily Music

About

Jaylene is a songwriter and artist/songwriting development coach with over two decades of experience in the Canadian music industry, including a Juno nomination, and several awards as a Gospel/CCM artist and songwriter. A rare neurological condition has disabled her singing voice, making recording and touring no longer possible. She continues to write songs, to co-write for various projects, and is leveraging her creative skills and experience, combined with a background in education, as a coach, helping artists and songwriters to hone their skills, get unstuck, and find positive ways forward with their songs and their careers. Jaylene also servves as Chair of the Music Advisory Committee for the Juno Awards' CCM/Gospel catetory, and has served as VP of the Gospel Music Association of Canada, producing/co-producing several Covenant Awards events.

"Jaylene is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for any one growing in the music industry. She has a way of recognizing the gifts of others and helping to refine their vision. I am honoured to call her a friend and mentor on my journey." (Don Amero - Recording Artist and Songwriter)

"Jaylene is a polished songwriter and well-versed in the music industry. Through our years of phone calls, coffee dates, & songwriting sessions, Jaylene has been instrumental in helping me develop my career strategy, while honing my craft as a songwriter. I owe much of my artistic progression solely to Jaylene's mentorship." (Noah Derksen - Recording Artist and Songwriter)

"I hold Jaylene in high esteem as a songwriter - a person who has deep understanding of the layers of the craft." (Brian Doerksen - Recording artist and Songwriter)

Jaylene is a gifted, veteran singer/songwriter whose tenacious diligence has yielded meaningful and beautiful works. My recent experience with Jaylene in the studio revealed a rare depth of artful intuition and skill, which is the reward of those few souls committed to a 'long obedience in the same direction'." (Steve Bell - Recording Artist and Songwriter)

"Jaylene is a remarkable talent who has a way with words. Her years of experience and proven ability would be an invaluable resource to anyone looking to write great songs." (Jordan St.Cyr - Recording Artist and Songwriter)

"Jaylene is full of spirit and talent. A true observer of life and her songs make you want to hear them again. A pleasure to work with!" (Kris Bergsnes - Songwriter and Publisher)

"Jaylene is a fantastic artist and wonderfully deep songwriter! Her melodies are infectious and lyrically, she takes you on a three-minute journey that feels like a cross-country trip. I love writing with Jaylene, and we've had solid success with our songs being placed on artists' albums and licensing uses. Don't hesitate to experience this artist/writer!" (David Browning - Producer and Songwriter)

About Jaylene Johnson's Music...

"With lyrics full of self-doubt, regret, heartache, and questioning, this album makes me cry, makes me cringe with self-recognition, and challenges me. It also encourages me with a confidence in the goodness of God and a banishing of fear- a reassurance that God does see and listen and that He seeks to find us even in the dark when we hide. Musically, this album has beautiful arrangements and vocals with a Country/Americana flavor. Set aside some time to really listen and think about the songs."
(Garret Godfrey - Under the Radar, US)

"Conceived in a remote Canadian cabin in the summer of 2015 after two years of vocal health issues and struggles to have a family, Jaylene's 12 track album is the authentic voice of a truly great singer/songwriter. Opening song "Fallin'" is reminiscent of Susan Ashton with its country feel and introspective theme. It is followed by "How Long", with Jaylene in a dry, dark and painful place. "One Tiny Prayer" expresses her mood: "This fragile heart waits in the dark for you". Featuring a trumpet solo by Simon Christie, "Find Us" is an upbeat number, but tinged with bitterness. The title track, closing with the words, "You finish what you start," is ironic because Jaylene found out that she was pregnant as she finished her writing and left the Winnipeg-based cabin. Julian Bradford's cello sets the tone, as does the orchestral accompaniment in "Lord Of All", but the appropriately titled final track "I Won't Be Frightened Anymore" features five of Jaylene's friends singing acapella with handclapping accompaniment. Its inspiration is 1 John 4:18, 'There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear'. An effective end to an outstanding album." (Ian Whitwood-CrossRhythms, UK)

"Jaylene Johnson's messages and melodies are accessible…whatever your beliefs. The fact that her undeniably angelic pipes seem equally influenced by goddesses like Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLachlan is no sin either." The Winnipeg Sun

"Along with subtle echoes of Sarah McLachlan, Johnson's music recalls some lesser known Canadian artists (like Nelly Furtado and Jane Siberry) who may have inspired her atmospheric brand of artistic pop…Jaylene Johnson will appeal to those who are looking for substance-filled pop, but with a slightly different slant." Shaun McLaughlin

"I want to commend Jaylene Johnson’s new project, Potter & Clay, to you. Jaylene is a veteran musician and songwriter with several album projects to her credit already, but I think this particular project will be a defining moment in her career. Sonically it’s gorgeous, the performance and production elegant, and the songwriting exquisite. It is a moving piece of work that deserves a wide hearing." (Steve Bell - Winnipeg, MB)