Natalie Lane’s story is a tribute to perseverance, purpose, and the art of waiting with faith. She opens up about leaving her comfort zone in Colorado to pursue her dreams in Nashville, facing confusion, loneliness, and eventual triumph. With incredible insights into God’s perfect timing and the beauty of embracing hardships, Natalie’s experiences offer hope and practical advice for anyone looking to follow their God-given calling. Plus, enjoy a special live performance of one of her beautiful songs.
Welcome, everyone, to The Calling’s radio show to all the dreamers. I’m your radio host, Chrysandra Brunson, founder and CEO of The Calling, and it is such an honor to be with all of you today. You know, at The Calling, we have realized that so many people are afraid to go after the dreams that God has put inside each one of our hearts. And that is just plain wrong because if God has given us a dream and we’re not living it out, we are wasting it and we do not want to die with regret. And we have understood fear. We understand it. We’ve been afraid too, but we’ve been able to push through and we know you can too. We love doing this by inspiring, empowering, and equipping people to live out God’s dream on their lives to reap the best harvest of a long lasting legacy. and have immediate impact on our lives right now. We love doing this through having custom programs and tools to be able to empower people to live out their God-given calling, especially through this radio program to all the dreamers and having incredible guests like we do today. The one and only Natalie Lane. Thanks so much for having me.
NATALIE LANE :
This is a blast.
CHRYSANDRA :
Natalie, we are so thrilled to have you and we are just so honored. And so Natalie, can you just introduce yourself to our listeners? Just a little bit about you and some of the roles that you play in humanity right now.
NATALIE LANE :
Totally. Yeah. So I actually grew up in Colorado Springs all my life. I was born and raised there, went to a church called New Life. And so that was honestly where I got a lot of my start. My whole family is into music. A lot of them are worship leaders and play music at Christmas time together. And like, that was just a big part of my childhood. So Yeah. So grew up in a really musical family and leading worship at church and kind of getting comfortable, you know, singing in front of groups of people, which can be intimidating sometimes, but I got to grow up learning that from people who are very good at it. And Right under their wing. And that’s a huge part of my story, too, is like I’ve had people pouring into me the whole time from all directions. And I’m so thankful for that. But, yeah, I kind of I got into different styles of music. My grandma was my piano teacher growing up. which is the craziest thing. And I’ve had a few teachers now along the way, but she kind of got me started with like reading music and, and also playing by ear. And so that’s kind of how I got into songwriting too. There was one time when I was, you know, 10 or 11, one of my assignments for my piano lesson was to write a song based on one of the Psalms. So take the lyrics and just write a melody around it. I realized I wasn’t too bad at that and maybe there was something there for me. And so it was writing songs from a young age. And then when it was time to go to college, I decided I wanted to study music. And so went to a school called Belmont University in Nashville. So which was just the best experience. And it’s where I really got into like jazz and blues and R&B and kind of different styles that really impact my songs now. And yeah, so I got my master’s and my master’s degree in piano and just love Nashville so much. It’s where, you know, a lot of the music industry is and continue to just like make connections and make friends and all that stuff. And now I get to do music for a living in Nashville.
CHRYSANDRA :
Natalie, that is so remarkable. So take us back when you were a little girl. So you talked a little bit about your grandma helping you a lot when you were little. How did you know that you wanted to sing and that this was what God had made you to do? What did that look like on just a regular day for you? Yeah.
NATALIE LANE :
You know, when I think about this, I… I can’t remember a time that I didn’t want to do music. It just was something kind of ingrained in me. I do remember this one time, my other grandma, we call her Granny, They were both very impactful. But she, she asked me when I was little, like, what do you think you might want to do when you grow up? And I thought about it for a second. And I was like, I want to lead worship and write songs, you know, and I was little, little, and I still want to do. So I think to some point there is like, there’s something deeply ingrained in us that we were meant to do. And, you know, the first thing for all of us is to love God and love people. And that’s all of our kind of shared calling. But then I think we have individual ones too, that, you know, God might bring out at different points in our life, but for me, it was always something that I wanted to do. And it just so happened that I had these people in my life who like also pushed me toward that. Um, and that was such an important part of it. Cause I don’t know without them, if I would have gotten into it the way that I did. So it was both of those things, I think.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. And then Nellie, would they, how did you start singing, like knowing how to sing? Did you just start singing what you heard? Did you, how did that happen?
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah, I think, um, You know, growing up around it was really good. My mom is a singer and like she was classically trained in college and stuff. And so my parents never like forced me into it. Like they never made me play music or anything. I think they’re actually because they just like bought a little keyboard when I was like a toddler and put it at my level and didn’t say anything and like, let me discover it. And I was like, Oh, this is so cool. And so I never felt pushed into it, but my dad plays and my mom sings. And so, um, I remember being little and like kind of singing with my mom in the car, like learning to harmonize a little bit. And like, I think it was just being in it and like just learning from the people around me, but also like listening to music that really inspired me. I, you know, grew up on great music. And so I think it was that too, like just being really inspired by artists that were already doing it. Yeah. Then of course, singing at church helped a lot.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes. Oh, my gosh. And that’s pretty amazing. So now tell us about the new the new life church, that community, because they have quite a few bands that are based out of there as well. Did any of them come alongside to help bring out the special talent as well?
NATALIE LANE :
Totally. Yeah. So because my parents were leading worship, I grew up like running around the little worship rehearsals. kind of like knew who little Natalie was, you know, she’s on the little rehearsals. Um, but I think it wasn’t until I was about, I think I was about 12. One of the worship leaders was like, would you want to like lead in kids’ church sometime? I was like, sure. You know, started leading there and then eventually like was leading in big church with them. So That was awesome because, I mean, they really just took me under their wing there. So when I was in high school, some of the worship pastors were like Corey Asbury, Jared Anderson, John Egan. And so they like, I don’t know, it’s like being… not just like watching them, but like with them was huge. And like, it’s made me want to be that for other people, like not just having them watch me or whatever, but to walk with them into their calling. Right. Right. And I just think it was huge for me. And I didn’t really realize what an impact that it had until I moved away. And I was like, oh, that’s not normal. Like not everybody’s worship leaders are that way. And like wanting to really pour into the next generation. And so props to them for that, honestly. But yeah, they were just awesome.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. And, you know, it’s neat now. I think that Jesus, like he threads all of our stories in in such a unique way. But just, yeah, I love Jared’s heart. I mean, all of their hearts are so golden, but just know personally Jared’s and Corey’s and, you know, just that is so neat to be able to see rising hearts. God-given talent and be able to bring you underneath their wing. And Angela White, I don’t know if… Oh, she’s perfect. I know! So amazing. And so Natalie, God had you set up from a young age to be able to change the world and was just be able to… I think that we’ve probably crossed paths in the past, but just recently… You were leading thousands. I don’t know how many were in that were at least hundreds. I don’t know. A lot, a lot of people in Northern Colorado of the leaders, the who’s who’s just in the community. And now you could just tell the anointing over your life that you are living out God’s purpose for your life. And, I just am excited. Maybe later in the show, you might have to share a little bit of your voice with our listeners and to be able to just hear a little clip. I mean, Nellie, would you be able to sing a little bit for us right now?
NATALIE LANE :
Sure. Yeah, I could sing. You’re also welcome to play any of the songs anytime you want.
CHRYSANDRA :
Perfect.
NATALIE LANE :
Perfect. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. So let’s see. What should we sing? I love to sing my own songs. Yes. One of my favorites is called steady. And I wrote it right at the beginning of like the pandemic when everything was crazy and we felt like everything was ripped out from under us. And just like I needed a reminder that there, there’s a God who’s faithful and who doesn’t change when literally everything else has changed. Yes. So, um, Here’s a little, here’s the chorus of steady. It goes, make me steady with my eyes on you.
NATALIE LANE :
Lord, take my hand and lead me through your steady. Every day you approve. You are the rock that does not move. When I’m weak and I stumble. When my world starts to crumble, hold me steady. Steady, steady.
CHRYSANDRA :
Everyone in the studio is like, that was really nice. Thanks, guys. Oh, I love that. What a powerful song, too, to be able to, just like you said, to be steady in the midst of the pandemic and just all the things that feel so wavering and powerful. that God wants us to know that he is forever faithful and he is making everything come together at the perfect time. And even when it seems like chaos, so… I love that. Now, can you take us to like a moment where you just knew that you knew that you were living out your regular supposed to be that you were living out God’s calling on your life and that the Lord just showed you that?
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah. Yeah. You know, I think, um, it’s been kind of a whirlwind being in Nashville because I really never thought that I would, I never thought I would be there. I never thought I would, you know, be that far from home where I have this great community. And so the first year living in Nashville was really hard. Like it was, I was confused, Lord, am I supposed to be here? Like, wasn’t really finding my community there. Like, And everything just seemed kind of weird about it. And I was like, you know, I think, I think this school is where I’m supposed to be. I’m supposed to be learning. I’m supposed to be like devoting myself to this craft and like learning the ins and outs of it. And, you know, really focusing in there and I’m doing that, but where’s, you know, where are the people, where’s my community? Why don’t I feel like I’m established here? And that’s going to be the case wherever you, you know, move when everything’s new, but yeah. Yeah. But that was really hard. And then the years following that, God just kind of started putting everything into place and I think there’s something to be said about the moments in between, though, where like, you know, that first year I didn’t feel like everything was going right. And then everything started kind of falling into place. But then I had a moment last year where I was like, God, like this is working, I guess. But like nothing’s going big, really. Like, no, it’s just like kind of meh, you know. Right. Right. And I remember him saying in that moment, like, just hang on. Like, we’re almost there. It’s around the corner. Like, you know, you, you have to feel this way to get to the next thing. And, um, so just for anybody listening to like, there is so much purpose in the waiting. And then when it’s the perfect timing, you’ll never want it to be anything else. Like it just, and I can’t explain it. People would say to me in the waiting part, like God’s timing is perfect. It’s fine. And that almost hurts. Like, that’s like, like, I know it’s not, it doesn’t feel good right now. Yeah. And so when you talk about like, a moment where it feels like you’re living out your calling. I would say like, that’s kind of right now. Like God has just brought everything together in the perfect timing, the perfect people, um, to be on my team and to do this with. And, um, you know, it’s just crazy. I wake up every day, like, wow, how did this happen? You know, but in reality it took years, you know, and lots of dedication and, and lots of people pouring into it. It wasn’t just me, you know, but all of us being faithful to the various callings that God had given us. So yeah, I would say right now, is that a good answer? I don’t know.
CHRYSANDRA :
I love it. I love it. And Natalie, we are needing to take a quick break, but we are so excited just to be able to hear about that. And I think that that was just so… It was just… heart moving to be able to know that God’s timing is so perfect. And we don’t like hearing it in the moments where we are transitioning, but everything is orchestrated so perfectly. So we’re just so grateful for that reminder. And we thank everybody for tuning in today to all the dreamers radio. We have. Natalie Lane from Nashville, Tennessee on with us today. Singer, songwriter, just lover of the Lord. And we are just so excited to have her on. Stay tuned. Twist and shout with Lee & Co. They are the premier oldies band delivering the rock and roll vibes you’ve been missing. Great songs, great memories. Book them at LeeAndCo.com. Hi guys, this is Chrysandra Brunson, host of To All The Dreamers. I am so happy to introduce personal training, nutritional guidance, and behavioral change coaching. Healthy, happy, and heavenly for your wellness, spirit, soul, and body. Contact Mimi Kroger at healthyhappyandheavenly.com. Continue to grow in the calling God has for you through ORU Online.
NATALIE LANE :
You can earn your degree without changing your busy schedule. 100% online and 100% on your time. Learn more today, oru.edu slash calling.
CHRYSANDRA :
At Ignite Brilliance Coaching, you will get 34 years of science teaching, a decade of university-level instruction, and over 10 years of instructional coaching to empower educators with the tools, mindset, and confidence to thrive. Contact Ignite Brilliance Coaching on Facebook. We are back. Thank you for tuning in to All the Dreamers radio show. We are thrilled to have Natalie Lane on with us today. She is a singer-songwriter from Denver, Colorado, but based in Nashville, Tennessee. And she is just changing the world so anointed and just such an example of one living out their God-given dreams. And Natalie, we’re just so honored and humbled and you were just sharing such great wisdom with us of how, when you did move, you took that leap of faith from moving from Colorado into Tennessee. It took a while and you said a year and some people are like, Oh yeah, here’s that long. Some people are like, that is a long time to feel settled, to feel at peace. And I think it’s in that wrestling where we’re able to All we have is that dependence on the Lord to be able to be our strength, be our steadiness. Like you just sing for us in the first part of the show. And now a big part of that in our callings is being able to walk through the hardships and to be able to see it fulfilled in our lives. And it’s always ongoing of how God wants to unfold our dreams. But how have you been able to press through just the hardships and just be able to see on the other side that it was worth it and that you didn’t give up? Because so many people give up way too soon. So how do you not give up?
NATALIE LANE :
Totally, man. That’s a great question. Yeah. I look back at these times, like that first year in Nashville and, um, you know, in, in the middle of it, it didn’t feel good. Right. It was, it was one of the hardest years probably of my life. And, um, but I came out of it somehow with like a new perspective. I came out of it with like the Lord being my best friend because I had nobody else. Right. Yes. And like, I think I kind of saw through that, that like, no, it doesn’t feel good. And we need to acknowledge that. Like, it’s not like everything’s fine when it’s painful. Like, no, it does hurt. And that is totally true. But there’s also this kind of higher truth. That’s like, God is working in that and through that. And actually there are some things that he can only do. through a painful season. Like, you know, I think a lot of times we think that pain is an enemy to us and I don’t think it’s an enemy. Like sin is an enemy, right? That the devil is an enemy. Those are enemies. I think pain hurts, but actually God uses it and it’s crazy how he can do only, he can do that, you know?
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah. Give us an example.
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah. Well, even just right now, as I’m thinking about, um, thinking about that year, you know, there were so many nights I was like, God, is this right? Like I’ve just so confused, felt really lonely and isolated, I think is a good word for it. And, you know, I know people listening right now are probably feeling that. And it’s like, man, I felt like I was doing everything that I could do. And still that was the case. And it’s like, um, you know, I had nothing else to turn to at that time. And so I turned to the Lord, you know, and it’s not that he made everything better in an instant, but he was there and he was the only one who was always there. And so, I think that that’s true for all of us too. You know, he’s the only one who’s always going to be there and who actually knows us better than we know ourselves and who wrote the whole story. And like, he wouldn’t let it end in pain, you know, he’s going to let it good. So we can trust that. And I don’t think we get that at a deep level until we’ve walked through something hard. So yeah. that’s just what comes to mind when you say that.
CHRYSANDRA :
I love that. And so now you’re, so now you feel there is just these new experiences that God’s have started bringing in to show you physically where you didn’t have to see it, but then he graciously, God just graciously showed you that you’re right where you’re supposed to be. So tell us what’s been happening and what’s on the horizon. Yeah.
NATALIE LANE :
It is crazy. So, um, this year has been awesome. I released a bunch of songs last fall. Um, and then a single this summer, which was a blast. Um, but a lot of this year has been like, um, just finding the exact right team to be around me. And I feel like we have all the right people now, which is really exciting. Um, we’re working on new music and I’m going on a tour for Christmas, which is so fun. I don’t have any shows in Colorado and it’s just Next time, next time. So tour starts this Thursday and I’m really excited to just be out on the road and, you know, meeting people is like my favorite thing and sharing stories. So I’m super excited about that. And then new music coming as soon as we can next year.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. And now are you touring with any other bands or just your band?
NATALIE LANE :
OK, so it’s me and then a group called Selah who have been around for like 25 years. They’re famous for their hymns and their Christmas stuff. And so getting to do a show with them, we actually have the same manager now. And so they personally asked for me to come out on the road, which is such an honor. especially because like I grew up listening to their music. And so now that’s crazy. I’m getting to open for a lot of built me, you know? So we’re really excited. 11 shows. It’s going to be a blast.
CHRYSANDRA :
Oh, that is big. That is a big deal. And then you said new music coming out this next year. Yes. Yeah.
NATALIE LANE :
We’re so excited. We’ve been writing songs for a long time, for several months. I’ve been writing every day. And so we’re ready to get it out.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow, that is so powerful. And so for all those tuning in, so yeah, we’re going to tell everyone how to be able to get in touch with Natalie, how to be able to follow her, go to one of these amazing shows. But Natalie, we want to know what would be your two tips that you would give our listeners on how they can go after their God-given calling and they feel a little bit stuck, but how would you say that they could move forward?
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah, man. The first one is something that I wish I could have told myself. I wish I could go back and be like, literally, Natalie, just chill. Like you can give this time. It’s okay. You know, I think that I just had, like, I think this is true for a lot of us. Like, there’s just some fear surrounding these dreams sometimes. Yeah. first of all, is this right? Also, is it ever going to work? You know, we’re just like, we have questions, which makes sense. And some of those are healthy, but I wish I could go back and tell myself like, literally it’s going to be awesome. And it’s going to take longer than you think, but it’s going to be worth it. You know? So that’s the first one. And then the second one goes with it. It’s just like, God really does. No. And he really, really loves you. And so he’s not going to, he’s not going to make this go wrong. Like however it ends up is going to be how it’s supposed to be. And it’ll probably be better than you think. So.
NATALIE LANE :
Wow.
NATALIE LANE :
It’s cool to be on the other side and talk about it because. you know, when I was in it, it, it just, it was so weird to be like, you know, is this ever going to work? But, um, to be on the other side, you really believe, I mean, it gives you faith for the next thing that, you know, God can do anything.
CHRYSANDRA :
So I should have asked this earlier, but tell our listeners how old you are. Cause you are a young mover and shaker. Yeah.
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah. I’m 23. Um, wow. I do have your masters. I do. Yeah. By the grace of God, yes.
CHRYSANDRA :
It is. That is so amazing. Twenty three in classical piano, you said, right?
NATALIE LANE :
In piano performance.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah, it was a bunch of different styles. Now that is so remarkable. Twenty three years old, you guys. This is such an example. And I knew you were young, Natalie. I didn’t know that you were that young. And it is so powerful. I think the younger you are, the better. Like God is like he has it on a whole nother pedestal. I just be able to do that. your voice, your talents to be able to impact the world. And when I was 18, that’s when the calling started for me. And so I just like, there’s an anointing there and I’m just such great soil. And so thank you so much for that wisdom of just, I love that. It’s like an executive coach being like, okay, it’s going to take longer than you think, but it’s going to be better than you think. So. Get ready for it. And Natalie, we are just so honored to have you and we cannot, we would love to have you back. Time goes by so fast, but we want everyone to be able to get in touch with you to be able to cheer you on in this season and just to be impacted by your gifts and talents. So how can they do that?
NATALIE LANE :
Yeah. So the best way you can see everything at natalielainemusic.com. So Natalie Lane with an L-A-Y-N-E. We miss that part sometimes.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah. Say it one more time. Your last name.
NATALIE LANE :
natalielanemusic.com. Perfect.
CHRYSANDRA :
L-A-Y-N-E. Yeah, you got it. Perfect. Well, Natalie, we are so honored to have you. And we just thank everybody for tuning in today to this edition to all the Dreamers radio show. And just to be so impacted by Natalie’s life, her courageously living out her God-given calling. And we just know that her life is a testimony to be able to fuel your God-given dream for this season, to be able to know that if God’s asking you to move somewhere, you can do it. If he’s asking you to say yes to a dream way bigger than you ever could imagine, you’re feeling unsettled, God is going to meet you where you’re at. He is your best friend too, just as Natalie was mentioning. And we welcome everyone to stay in touch with Natalie. and our other guests at the calling nonprofit.org. And we just, we encourage you all to ask yourself what you would do if you knew you could not fail and to know that the answer residing in your heart, that’s what you’re meant to do. And we know that the best kind of hero is someone who inspires, empowers, and equips people to be the hero of their own story. Become God’s dreamer today. We look forward to staying in touch with you all. Till next time, dreamer. Keep dreaming big.
