John Layne of Aeon's Promise
by Trisha

CS: Please share with us how your group formed and any changes it went through after forming.

John: The group formed when I decided to seek to play live. I wrote our first project, Welcome to the Soul Farm, at my home studio called Pierced Hand Screaming records. Once the project was complete and ready to release I decided to gather the best Christian Musicians I could get to form a band with pro experience, a "Christian Rock Supergroup" is the goal, to praise our Lord's name and discuss His ways. As far as the personnel, I am very pleased to have Larry "thickgroove" Carter as our drummer, Steve Spiers as our keyboard player, John Derricott, as our bassist, and my name is John Layne, I sing and play guitar. We are dedicated to spreading the words of Jesus to all. God loves the rockers too and is calling all home to the palace of harmonies in the new Heaven through Jesus Christ!!! As far as changes, well this was really an undertaking to find pro level musicians willing to play Christian Rock (amongst the criticism), and be professional enough to fit the bill as the music is not simple. God Blessed me so much with these folks. We are still adding personnel. I am interviewing for another guitarist, and some back up "do wapp" singers. The greatest changes have been incorporating the other musicians styles with mine, but all is well and the sky is no limit!!!

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

John: The main focus in our ministry is to let the people of Earth know that Jesus Christ is the answer to life. To bring people into His arms by pointing out His beauty and power. We particularly are reaching out to the rockers of the world. The teachings of Jesus go well beyond the "life" we experience today in society. He is a supernatural, omnipotent, omnipresent being who can transform reality into that of God's Kingdom. Keep seeking, He is there waiting!!! I think that our overall focus is for the sick, when Christ said, I come for the sick, not the well, should not the people hearing this have said Lord, let me bow low before you, even in my truth I am not worthy of such gifts, heal my eyes forever Lord, that i may not feel so haughty for all here are in need of your words. we decided on this as a focus out of plain need for the folks of this world to learn about the ways of God, so we can prepare to live with Him, after all He creates to enjoy, we are learning how to be enjoyable to our Father. Until we have spiritual faith and awareness we are no more than little children getting ready to form the words Daddy for their first time.

CS: What does your groups name mean? Where did you come up with it?

John: Aeon's Promise- well aeon is a term used to describe an infinite amount of time, today's dictionaries spell it eon. I decided to use the old English version. Together with Promise means the promise of infinity, the promise of God. That we will enjoy eternal life through Jesus for all that accept Him as Savior and seek His ways (carry our cross). And we stand ready to be born at any moment at the return of our Lord as a thief in the night.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

John: I'm not sure if we will still be on this world, but if so, I see us playing festivals, and recording new material. Our band is comprised of professional folks around the age of forty. We are working on two projects now , one is called Zero Hour which is a hard rock cd about the resurrection of the Living at the return of Jesus Christ, and the other is an acoustic folk based cd called Campfire Songs (Songs from the Burning Bush), to reach a more laid back audience, Anyway, I would really like to see more people of different taste come together in Jesus. Rockers and folk lovers at the same show, people from 15-50 asking for life from our Lord.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

John: No I don't worry about it, I do pray about it though. I have been through so much in my search for Jesus that the world holds little for me. Once we get a glimpse at the reality of God what else can satisfy us?

CS: Do you make it a goal to use your music to minister to people? Or do you just write for the sake of writing and performing?

John: I truly wish to minister to people, I have a very unique perspective on the teachings in the Bible and wish to share it with all, but the main reason I write and play music is to sing to God, anyone else hear it, sing along!!!! He is so cool!!!!! I love Him, and as such, you are included as a part of Him in Jesus! Cool huh?

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

John: That the Lord is the Savior of mankind, which was given to Him from His devotion to our Father. it is God's will that all come before Him in Jesus name. And that in this love that Jesus has for God, he created our world to give glory to God. And that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, prepare for blast off!!!!

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from performing and ministering through music?

John: That there are so many folks out there who have never heard about Christ beauty and sacrifice. There are so many people who have bought the canned Jesus being sold today by mankind, without hearing what the reality he lived could do for us. And God says, my ways are not yours!! we are learning to live in God's ways, no armies, grocery stores, or hospitals are needed, just God's smile.

CS: Do you write your own music?

John: Yes, I wrote all the music for Welcome to the Soul Farm. I am getting ideas from the rest of the band for our new projects although I am the main songwriter. This keeps the other guys filled with spirit and excited and helps me with other directions. I have been writing music for 30 years.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

John: I get all my ideas from God and Jesus, one as they are. I have had visions and actually heard some songs as I pray.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

John: My music style is eclectic and very broad, I have played in Jazz/rock/country/ and Southern Gospel. I think music should invoke emotions and paint a picture of moods and beauty and truth. I believe all things are made for God. Use your talents for Him, and you can keep them. It comes from the cry for life, in a better world and a better me.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

John: Yes, it seems I rock too hard for mainstream Christians (in some cases), and am too obviously Christian for non believing rockers until they realize, Being Christian sounds great, a loving God, a Savior who died for me. I tell the non believers I encounter as they deny God's presence in themselves and elsewhere, ok, you say I only have a belief, no proof, (I can debate that but for now I won't.) you have no more, you don't know if God is real. So lets evaluate the choices,
1) no God, coffin bound
2)There is a God, Heaven bound

In the sea of choices without scientific fact why would anyone choose to believe #1 when #2 is just as possible. I'll take life over the coffin thank you. Someone once asked me to prove God is real, I said there is only one thing a human mind can't imagine. That is nothing, because nothing has never been, God has always been. if you imagine a black vacuum (void) in space that is something. Nothing has never existed.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

John: King Crimson, YES, Jimi Hendrix, Santana

CS: Who are some of the groups you have performed with and what did you think of them?

John: I /We have shared the stage in opening/backup situations over the years with Charlie Daniels, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, New Riders of the Purple Sage, to name a few. I really didn't get to know them personally but the vibe from Charlie was very Christian, and down to earth. I also had the pleasure of meeting Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin many years ago while visiting some friends at the Lighthouse in DC. Again I can't claim any deep friendships here but Carlos and John are beautiful people who love God. Of this I am sure.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

John: I am not involved in any other ministries at this point, but I have been involved in some gospel concerts in Florida, lake Okeechobee/Ft Pierce areas, trying to feed the homeless and addicts, and uplift the lives of anyone interested. we were known as the Gospel Sounds, band was nothing short of country legends from Nashville, except for me (rocker). really great Southern Gospel music.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

John: I took a few guitar lessons when I was young, but I did not have the time to keep going. I started playing bass/guitar at the age of 12. I began writing original music at 14 and was playing the local nightclubs/fairs and festivals by age 15. I continued to study music through my life, but I don't write with theory in mind, I write to accentuate the message with a sound that fits the lyrics. I get better dynamics that way. My musical skills are a direct result of singing to God, and trying to improve myself both in vision and ability.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

John: We practice on weekends now , but individually, I play about 20 hours a week, I believe that is also true with the other guys. I call practice picking up an instrument and singing God a song that I have never played, total innovation, and true practice, learning to real time sing on an instrument. turn the inside out. There are only so many notes/combination etc, what makes music different is the heart of the writer. Being an individual is the hardest thing to accomplish as a musician.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

John: We are accepting concerts dates now, which we will post in the near future, and we will be releasing in 2002, Campfire Songs (Songs from the Burning Bush) and Zero hour. They will be ripping/kicking and emotional.

CS: Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

John: We are talking with European and US labels now, taking our time, future looks great.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

John: My advice to the Youth of this world is get your priorities straight, the world can sidetrack us easily without direction. Focus on the feet of Christ as your goal and accept nothing less than deliverance from this dark world into the light of Heaven in Jesus. All material things are tools, use them for God so more can be given you.