By: Jonelle Bobak
A singing duo, Jenny and Tyler Somers, were welcomed on Tuesday at Dimensions and The Gathering.
Jenny and Tyler have been touring for 10 years all over the East coast. “Minneapolis and Chicago are some of our favorites,” Jenny said. She also said they enjoyed the small town atmosphere that Boiling Springs has to offer.
This was not their first performance at GWU. They performed back in the 2011-2012 school year and won over the hearts of many students.
Jenny and Tyler, originally from Delaware, have been married for 8 years and reside in Nashville, Tennessee with their daughter Jane and are expecting another baby in April.
The duo met on a bus at the University of Delaware and soon found that they both had a passion for music. They each had written their own music separately before meeting. During their time in college, they performed at coffee shops, bars, and worked at the Baptist Student Ministries.
“After a few years of knowing each other it just made sense to be performing together,” Jenny said.
Opportunities presented themselves on numerous occasions to the singing duo. “It wasn’t exactly God saying do this, but doors kept on opening up and it made sense to keep doing it,” Jenny said.
Photo by: Megan Hartman
They have released several albums and two extended plays, EP. EP’s are albums that do not have enough songs to be considered a complete album. One of their EP’s is helping to support a ministry that is very important to Jenny and Tyler, called International Justice Ministries.
The IJM, according to their website, is a ministry that, “protects the poor from violence in the developing world.” The goals of IJM are to rescue those enslaved, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors, and strengthening the justice system.
“For Freedom Project EP proceeds go to IJM,” Tyler said.
At an IJM Benefit in Washington DC, Jenny and Tyler donated $15,000 to help end human trafficking. Tyler said their donation was doubled to 30,000 due to a donor match.
Each of their original songs are inspired by something that has impacted their lives. “Our family, Jane, the Lord, our relationship, or different things that are happening in our lives,” Tyler said.
At one point in their touring career they were exhausted physically and spiritually. That is how their album “Open Your Doors” was inspired. Tyler said they learned how to rest in God and abide in him.
Jenny and Tyler don’t just like to sing, they each have hobbies of their own.
Tyler enjoys baking bread. “I bake at least 6-12 loaves of bread a week,” he said. He also finds joy in seeking out deals. “He loves figuring out how to go places for free,” Jenny said.
Jenny has come to appreciate good coffee that is “responsibly resourced” and is trying to learn the ways of a barista.
They also have different artists they look up to and hope to one day have the chance to collaborate with them.
“Glen Hasard is my favorite singer/songwriter, he’s from the UK and has insane vocals,” Jenny said.
Tyler, on the other hand, chose Marcus Mumford from the band Mumford and Sons. “I love his voice and he sounds like an angry pirate, but he has a soft side too,” Tyler said.
If you would like to learn more about Jenny and Tyler visit their website at jennyandtyler.com. You can also download a free album by clicking on the “Free” page on their website.
To get more information on the International Justice Mission you can visit www.ijm.org.