To many, her career had the makings of a dream come true. Yet after spending more than 13 years and half her life making hit records, performing before sold out crowds and jet-setting around the globe, Leigh Nash called it quits.

Co-founder and lead vocalist for the colossally successful pop band, Sixpence None the Richer, Nash was known for her pixie-like appearance and distinctive vocals. Formed with guitarist and songwriter Matt Slocum, the group went on to record six albums—garnering them critical acclaim, numerous Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. The band’s biggest hit, “Kiss Me,” catapulted Sixpence into the spotlight. Soon their songs were featured on movie and TV soundtracks and they had numerous network TV appearances.

So why give all that up? One of the biggest reasons was the “business” side of the music business, which caused increasing frustration for the group. “We were completely exhausted by the record label problems that we had constantly over the years,” Nash shared.

The dissolution of Sixpence was big news. Then even before the dust settled, Nash had another huge, life-altering event take place in her life—the birth of her son, Henry. At 27, Nash wasn’t prepared for the crazy love she’d experience for her beautiful little boy or for the changes her newfound motherhood would bring.

“One of the ways that was most surprising was how independent and strong and more confident I felt after going through childbirth and having a human pass through my body,” Nash said. “It was just such an incredible experience that it made me feel almost like a superhero.”

Now that Henry has reached the terrible twos, Nash has caught her breath and embarked on a solo career. Her profound parenting experience is chronicled in her debut solo recording “Blue on Blue,” which was released in August.

“That’s just what was on my mind at the time. For the rest of my life it will be,” she muses. “When you’re a mother, it’s something that will plague you until you die; to put it really morosely. That doesn’t sound as wonderful as I think it is, but it is relentless, and it’s terrifying. It’s also the best thing that ever happened to me.

Understandably, Nash is a little daunted by the whole parenting gig. So her strategy is to let God take control.

“I’m scared for him, but in time you have to kind of give him over to God, which is really hard—near impossible,” she said.

Right now, Nash is handling the juggling act of balancing a career and motherhood like most parents—one day at a time. If her amazing first solo recording is any indication, it is going to be another wild ride.



Amy Hammond Hagberg is a local author and frequent contributor to Christian publications around the world. She is the author of the “How Do You Know He’s Real” book series (Destiny Image Publishers). Visit  www.amyhagberg.com for more information.