Tasha Layton
Tasha Layton (born October 27, 1982) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. Layton had her first CCM radio hit in 2019 with her debut radio single "Love Lifting Me". However, her second radio single, "Into the Sea (It's Gonna Be OK)" released in 2020, has been labelled her breakthrough song, and has seen her elevated into the "Billboard" Top 5 Female Christian Artists in 2020. In 2021, her single "Look What You've Done" has become her first ten top single on the "Billboard" Hot Christian Songs chart and her first number one  Christian Airplay single. A "Good Morning America" segment introduced her as "one of the fastest rising stars in Christian music". Early life and education. Layton is originally from Pauline, South Carolina. She grew up Southern Baptist and transitioned to Assemblies of God when she was young. While she was a teenager, her church had undergone a split and she had struggles with her faith. She changed her college major from music to religion and tried out multiple religions. She eventually returned to Christianity after attending a small church about an hour away. After graduation from college, she moved to California  and enrolled at The King's Seminary in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California where she got her Master of Divinity degree. During that time, Layton worked as a worship leader for four years and began working as a session vocalist in the city. Career. In 2010, she auditioned for season 9 of "American Idol", reaching the third round of its Hollywood week and was sent home. Shortly after, she auditioned for and landed a background singer position for Katy Perry, and spent the next four years doing session recordings and tours. She also worked on songs used at Disneyland, Cirque  du Soleil, and Nickelodeon. Afterwards, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a solo music career, and in 2013 become an instructor at Trevecca Nazarene University. Layton signed to BEC Recordings, and on September 5, 2018, released her first single and lyric video, "I Belong to You". In October, she released the single "Love Lifting Me". "Love Lifting Me" reached the top 25 on both the "Billboard" Christian Airplay and Christian AC Airplay charts. In July 2019, she released her debut EP entitled "Love Running Wild". In April 2020, Layton released her second radio single, "Into The Sea". It reached  number 12 on the "Billboard" Hot Christian Songs chart. In April 2021, she released the single "Look What You've Done", and on June 11, an EP of the same name. In December, the song reached number one on the "Billboard" Christian Airplay chart. Personal life. Layton is married to musician and producer Keith Everette Smith. They have one son, Levi, and one daughter, Lyla.