Heather Headley - Audience of One

By Em Fergusson

The January 13th release, ‘Audience of One’ is capturing hearts and minds all over the nation. Heather Headley has enjoyed tremendous success as an artist, from her Tony Award to hitting the Number One slot on Billboard’s Top Christian and Gospel Chart and number six on the R&B charts with this new exhilarating project. The album is filled with worshipful ballads, showcasing Heather’s powerful vocals.

The diverse blend of traditional and inspirational songs include the trendy sound of ‘Original Me,’ a biographical story written by Heather that speaks of being set free by God. The song explores how the heavenly father can be relied upon, regardless of what takes place. Many of the songs on this album encourage the message of faith, love, hope, and perseverance. Recognizing God is the ultimate being to rely on is highlighted throughout the album.

Heather teams up with a number of great Gospel recording artists, including the classical duet with Smokie Norful, ‘Jesus Is Love.’ The awe-inspiring ballad that speaks of the love of Jesus reflected through his children, is one of radio’s top songs and quickly making its way up the R&B Gospel charts. ‘Jesus Is Love’ has also been played on Urban AC Radio. With the soft sounds of ‘Running Back To You,’ written by Fred Hammond, Heather takes a similar approach to worship by having a sincere talk with God. The song once again speaks of love and the plea God sends out to his children when they step out of line.

The album offers listeners a unique glimpse into a serene worship. With Easter weeks away, listeners can experience the walk towards Calvary on the emotional, ‘Power of The Cross’. The song tenderly explores the spiritual significance behind the cross and why Jesus took the blame and died for our sins. Maintaining a relationship with Christ was something that was encouraged while Heather was a child. The Trinidadian-born, Indiana-raised songstress grew up around in the church and around gospel music.

“When I was about 10 years-old, we moved into the manse directly above the church,” remembers Heather. “Some of my earliest memories are of singing in that little church. The joy that I found singing in that empty church to me, an ‘audience of one’ … that is what this album is. A girl singing to the only audience that really matters: the one audience who is truly worthy.”