The concept of sharing a testimony or throwing together an attention-grabbing mission statement is frequently forged onto a Christian musicians psyche. Though sincerity may be at the root, sometimes such stories come across as contrived, lacking the riveting details and real life dramas that only a true survivor can recount. In the case of gutsy troubadour Heather Powers, every clever catch phrase and neatly wrapped presentation of faith are completely thrown out the window in favor of a truly compelling life story telling tales of distress, abuse, addiction, brokenness and eventually redemption.

Throughout all of my trials, music has been the one safety net Ive had, notes the sophisticated singer/songwriter. Its seen me through times growing up and knowing the Lord, to turning my back on Him, to returning to the Truth.

And what a long, strange trip its been for the burgeoning artist, who first began her pursuits in church as the daughter of a pastor. The teenage talent started as a switch hitter between guitar and piano, then lead worship and later toured Europe with a variety of school jazz groups. But like many youngsters growing up under the strain of that ministry spotlight, Powers cracked under the pressure and soon found herself walking away from the beliefs shed always known.

Growing up I always felt like I was in a fishbowl being looked at from the outside in, she recalls. Because of my Dads role in service, there was a pressure to keep up an appearance and I learned to shove things down inside of me and the feelings that came with them.

But thats only the beginning of a destructive path that became further entwined in complication, discomfort and some serious soul searching. As if the teenage years arent tumultuous enough, the music hopeful also fell prey to a physical assault followed by a completely separate occurrence of rape. Both situations put a mental, emotional and spiritual strain on Powers, who as a result rushed along the most serious relationship she had at the time into a pre-mature marriage.

Having such traumatic incidents really affected the decisions I made, the tunesmith recalls. My choice to get married came from me wanting to escape all the other stuff going on in my life and I wasnt ready for that experience at the time.

The stress of newlywed life coupled with all the previous baggage heightened Powers already weakened disposition to paralyzing migraine headaches. Soon after tying the knot, she found herself in the hospital pumped up with painkillers and anti-depressants. Although such prescriptions would temporarily provide relief, an incorrect prescription dosage would lead to even more severe results.

It got me to the point where I was addicted to the painkillers and that made my health problems and my marriage even worse, she admits. Everything was crashing down on me, and to add to it all, thats when I decided to walk away from the Lord.

After returning home and deciding on a divorce, Powers dived back into artistry, focusing on solo concerts, session work and opening dates for the legendary pop band Huey Lewis and the News. However, even the glow of the spotlight and work with some of the worlds finest players couldnt fill the void of the youthful faith she once possessed.

I got so tired of running out of shame and closing the doors on everyone I had known that I remember sitting at home one day crying out to God that I couldnt do it alone anymore, Powers contends. I knew that even in the times I strayed, God never left and from that day he began to change my heart and brought me back.

From there the performer reconnected with her family, found a new love (which lead to marriage at a more opportune time) and turned her artistic focus towards telling a personal epic of endurance. Such a series of decisions led Powers towards the direction of the California based Thousand Mile Music, which provided an outlet for 2005s official debut album Lay Them Down. The subsequent collection of ten tracks puts such aforementioned accounts to tear jerking soundtracks of spiritual empowerment. This record chronicles my journey of dealing with the pain and hurt of those who violated me and the freedom found in letting the past go, Powers reveals. I want it to be a blessing to people regardless of what they went through and for them to lay whatever theyve been through or are currently going through at the foot of the cross.

Such an inspirational web is weaved throughout an organic/acoustic sound mixed with more fleshed out pop sensibilities and narrative songwriting. Powers cites influences like Amy Grant, Susan Ashton and Cindy Morgan on the Christian side, along with Shawn Colvin and Paula Cole as part of the secular scene. Yet its her seasoned session band, distinctive vocal charm and primary production by Patrick Tetreault (Five OClock People) that made each song stand out with superiority.

So you want to know what my overall mission is? asks Powers steering around any sappy or overly sunshiny idiom. I want to take this batch of songs and lay open everything God has allowed me to walk through. Im eager to encourage people with the idea that theres nothing too big for them to have done where God couldnt rescue them. Gods always in the business of reaching in and resurrecting new things and if he did it with me, he can do it with you, too.

Powers has shared the stage with the likes of Huey Lewis and The News, Roby Duke and Dennis Agajanian. In January 2005, Heather had the rare opportunity to be part of the voiceover cast for the upcoming Warner Brothers move version of RENT. She was directed by Tim Weil, the original Musical Director for the Broadway Show.

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