17-year-old Roanoke, Virginia native Jeslynn Gelaine has always been a dreamer.  And one of her dreams became reality just 4 days ago when the singer-songwriter’s debut professional music recording “Calm Me Down” was released as a single.

All photos and videos in this article were provided courtesy of Jeslynn Gelaine unless otherwise noted.

The music artist’s full name is Jeslynn Gelaine Reynolds, and she elected to drop the surname Reynolds at the beginning of her budding musical career.

I asked Reynolds about the significance on using her middle name as a music artist. She responded, “Jeslynn Gelaine is my way of paying tribute to my mom and Mimi, two talented singers who shared a middle name. Following my Mimi’s passing in August 2022, I’m passionate about honoring and carrying her legacy through Gelaine.”

Singing has always been a huge part of Gelaine’s life.  Her mom, Rebecca Reynolds, shared with me that, “Jeslynn has been singing since she could talk and also began singing harmony at age three.” 

Gelaine also traveled on the road and sang with her parents Adam & Rebecca Reynolds in full time evangelical ministry for 7 ½ years when Jeslynn was between the ages of 3 and 10.

In 2018, the Reynolds family settled in the Roanoke Valley and began ministry with Wake the World Church (WTW) in Salem, Virginia. Adam Reynolds is lead pastor while Rebecca Reynolds is minister and worship leader at the church.

Adam and Rebecca Reynolds are also accomplished gospel music singer-songwriters. Their daughter Jeslynn has also been a worship leader with WTW for the past 7 years.

In August, Jeslynn will be starting her senior year in high school as a homeschooled student. I asked Gelaine if she had any plans after she graduates from high school and she replied,” I’m unsure about college, but I have a peace about music. I trust God’s plan and believe he wants me to use my gift full-time.”

Another dream came true for the music artist when she was 15 years old. Jeslynn’s hope of singing on the American Idol reality TV show started almost two years ago.

 In August 2023, Gelaine auditioned virtually in front of producers for a chance to be on American Idol (AI). Her audition was successful that day and Jeslynn was set for the next round of qualification.

On to Nashville in November 2023, Jeslynn went for her audition in front of American Idol’s main judges:  Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Gelaine selected, “Still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle to sing for her audition.

Jeslynn had another winning performance and received an American Idol “Golden Ticket.”  That meant that Gelaine would be one of just 150 singers going to Hollywood out of over 6,000 other contestants and she would actually be performing on the main AI show.

During Hollywood week, Jeslynn sang “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” by Stevie Wonder. She again auditioned in front of the main AI judges Richie, Bryan and Perry.

Before singing the Motown song, Jeslynn addressed the judges with the following quote: “I want to be the next American Idol because I can say that I have truly just dedicated my whole life to music and songwriting. And this means everything to me, and I know this is what God has called me to do and that is why I’m singing on this stage today.”

 While Gelaine didn’t move on in the competition, she received high praise from the judges. After the performance, Katy Perry gave exceptional credit to the Roanoke singer, providing encouragement to Jeslynn who was just 15 at the time of this audition.

I first learned about Gelaine just after the AI “Hollywood Week” episode aired in the spring of 2024. WSLS TV channel 10 Roanoke featured the sensational singer with a news story outlining her musical story and the big dreams she’s accomplished. That feature can be viewed here via WSLS 10.

Around 13 months later, I had the opportunity to meet Jeslynn and her parents Adam and Rebecca Reynolds when Gelaine was performing in concert with the Strawberry Festival at Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke. The singer was the headlining artist for this event.

Accompanying Gelaine at her May 3^rd Roanoke concert were 4 band members and a background vocalist. Personnel members and instruments played are listed below:

• Bryan Davis-Piano
• Eddy Sanders-Bass
• Tonio Williams-Drums
• Roger Graves Jr.-Guitar
• Rebecca Reynolds-Background Vocalist

An unfortunate thing happened on that first Saturday in May 2025:  A big rain storm with thunder and lightning hit downtown Roanoke around 20 minutes into Jeslynn’s show. The Strawberry Festival administrators stopped the concert after just 3 and a half songs were performed.

Obviously, Jeslynn was deeply disappointed about the rain storm and abrupt ending of her concert: she had to make lemonade out of lemons.  Of the songs that Gelaine sang that afternoon, I made short video clips from two of her songs.

This first clip above is an original song Jeslynn wrote called “Song Outta Me”.

The second video I made is of her recently released single, “Calm Me Down.”  

The genesis for the lyrics of “Calm Me Down” came from Jeslynn when she attended a Songhouse summer camp in 2024. Gelaine shares co-writing credit with 4 other individuals who collaborated with her last summer at this music event.

Released just 4 days ago, “Calm Me Down” is available on all streaming platforms and can be purchased via Apple and Amazon music services. The link for Jeslynn’s YouTube channel is here.

On Tuesday July 8, 2025, Gelaine was interviewed on the WDBJ Roanoke TV program called 7@four by the station’s host Melissa Gaona. The WDBJ7 TV conversation video follows:

After Gaona completed her interview with Jeslynn, the Roanoke singer-songwriter sang her debut single “Calm Me Down” on the WDBJ7 TV show. Gelaine’s performance is found below.

After meeting Jeslynn at her Strawberry Festival concert, I sent her questions via email to answer for this article. She and I also utilized Microsoft’s Messenger online text communication for clarification.  My questions and her answers are found below.

DJ Dave:  How do you describe the genre or genres of music that you sing?  My guess would be a combination of pop and country.

Jeslynn: “Well, I’m going to be honest…lol! I don’t necessarily put my music in a “box” or genre as of now. I just write about life and put lyrics and whatever melody comes in my heart to it. I call my music my musical diary! I dabble in a lot of different sounds.”

DJ Dave:  I have gathered from listening to your written songs that you attempt to express your feelings about a subject, in a real and honest way.  And at the same time, you want to convey something positive to the listener of your songs?  Is that accurate?    

Jeslynn: “I want to give people something to relate to when they listen to my music. If they’ve experienced what I’ve experienced whether that be an emotion, an experience, etc. I want them to not feel alone and feel like they can have an anthem. I don’t just write about sad experiences. I also want listeners to just have something to “jam” too and feel happy about.

 I also want them to know by my Christian songs that there is hope through Jesus and they don’t have time to stay there in that negative emotion. Jesus is the only way I’ve healed through life’s tough obstacles.”

DJ Dave: When I met you after your Strawberry Festival concert, I asked you about the quote at the top of your social media pages, “All my life I’ve been a dreamer.” Can you briefly describe the significance behind this meaningful statement?

Jeslynn: That quote is from my song “Dreamer”, which is about overcoming fear and chasing dreams. Ironically, I wrote it two weeks before my first American Idol audition which marked a significant step in my career.

DJ Dave: I like your quote, “Songwriting is a therapeutic outlet for you and medicine for your soul.”  Please give me more insight into this meaning?

Jeslynn: My songs are a musical diary, allowing others to relate and feel less alone in life’s journeys. I pray God’s gift to me can also be a gift to others through lyrics.

DJ Dave: With your duties as worship leader with Wake the World church, what are ways that you prepare your own heart before leading folks during a Sunday morning service?

Jeslynn: My mom and I seek the Holy Spirit’s leading when choosing songs for Sunday. I also prioritize daily Bible study and prayer as I prepare my heart.

DJ Dave: Your mom, Rebecca, shared with me that you started singing as soon as you learned to talk and began singing harmony at age 3. At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted to be a singer and utilize the talents God has given you for Christian service?

Jeslynn: Music has been my lifelong passion and has never really been a question for me. After being part of American Idol and SongHouseCo, I feel even more confident that music is what I’m supposed to do.

DJ Dave: What are your dreams, goals and aspirations in relation to singing and music as you become an adult next year?

Jeslynn: I aspire to release more original music, put out an album, and perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and award shows. Ultimately, I just want what God has for me.

When I saw Jeslynn at her rain shorten Roanoke concert last month, I was impressed by her powerful vocals. I also realized that her songwriting is complex, challenging and provoking, but also upbeat, inspirational and encouraging.

From my perspective, Jeslynn has a bright future in her chosen musical profession.  Her enthusiasm and passion to foster empowerment through music is outstanding.

I also appreciate Jeslynn’s desire to be a positive witness with her Christian faith and a willingness to tackle hard topics as a songwriter. As a Christian believer myself, I find Gelaine’s outlook to be refreshing.

Obviously, no one knows what the future holds in store for this young Virginia singer. I am confident that Jeslynn Gelaine’s music career will go in a favorable direction as she continues to seek God’s guidance for her life. Rock on!

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