LAUREN DAIGLE

As I've gotten older, my love for jazz has increased.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, but when it takes over the joy in the moment, and the joy in the journey, then that's where there's an internal tension. And I have to surrender that.

When I was a kid, and God was talking to me about music, I was like, 'Okay, I'll sing mainstream music,' because I was afraid to sing Christian music to alienate my friends. Honestly, it was going on 'Idol,' having that kind of exposure, that I realized there's something different about me. I just crave God being a part of every moment.

I have known in my heart since I was a little girl that music was a major part of my life and always would be, but seeing others respond to the words I sing amazes me.

Someday, I hope to do a jazz club tour.

The word 'empower' is something that kept coming up in my heart.

We, as Christians, have a legacy to leave, and it's all about a love of Christ to permeate the music and reach the hearts of all of the people out there, that don't know him and do know him.

I'm so grateful that God has allowed His heart for people to translate through music, to impact the lives of so many, just like a loving Father would.

In South Louisiana, every single thing we do is jazz or zydeco.

I get so full off of stories that people send in of encouragement.

Being from South Louisiana, we're just kind of rootsy.

Seriously, my heart is to just go forward as far as I can, making music that I love and seeing where the journey takes me.

I grew up listening to country music with my dad on the way to school.

If we show people that fear isn't actually the place that we have to surrender to, fear isn't actually the thing that we have to answer to, but instead, it's going in and loving people.

I love co-writing. That whole process is a challenge in that good writers are pushing you.

When it comes to awards and things like that - I don't know why - I just always sit in amazement and never really expect it.

I love to sing all kinds of music, but I know that my heart is for people to know God, and I want them to experience his love.

I want God to be speaking louder than the music.

My hope is that people experience the music and, in that, something works in them, that they realise how exceptional they are. Maybe that it inspires them to do something great in their own lives.

My goal is always to just do my best and hope that the people who find my music also find God in the process.

It doesn't matter if they're in this block or that block: my heart is for all people to know and encounter the love of God.

I want to be a good steward and make sure what's in my heart is what God wants, and then once it's done and released, at that point it's up to God and what he does on the back end.

When I was about 18, I really started diving into Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer Trio and some of those things that have jazz elements but also a pop feel.

When I was little, I would sing all around the house.

I have this call in my heart to reach all people.