Welcome!

My name is Natalie (Raynes) Blanton and I’m a pianist from the beautiful Upstate of South Carolina. I’ve been blessed to be a church musician, classical competitor, special events and concert pianist, recording artist, and a teacher for over fifteen years. Music has enriched my life and I’m thrilled that God has given me a platform to use that gift to enrich others’ lives as well.

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I began formal lessons at the age of 4, and was classically trained through high school under the instruction of Ina Carson Pegram in Greenville, SC. Mrs. Pegram saw talent that needed a strict approach to development, and supported by my parents, helped me develop consistency in my technique. She gave me many opportunities to hone my skills, through recitals, scholarship competitions, local, state, and regional association events, and more.

Though I was blessed to accomplish great things on the classical side of my musical development, I realized my real heart for music was as a church pianist– not just playing myself, but supporting other church musicians as well. So much of my church music is improvisational in nature, not just reading sheet music, and I love the creative outlet that provides.

Growing up in a very traditional Baptist church (Pleasant View Baptist Church in Taylors, SC) allowed me to hear some great gospel pianists that broadened my tastes and abilities in music. I played Rachmaninoff and Mozart during the week, but I played by ear on Sundays and Wednesdays, everything from the Red-Backed Church Hymnal to Southern Gospel classics, from high church hymns of the faith to newer favorites and choruses.

In addition to the piano instruction I received, I also received formal vocal instruction. Once again, I was blessed to have a broad background of vocal instruction, from private voice lessons, a fantastic choral program in middle and high school, and a great church choir program, led largely by my dad, an incredible church musician as well.

I began teaching solo piano at the age of 15, and have continued to do so, most recently moving almost completely to live video lessons, through FaceTime, Skype, and GoogleDuo. After teaching choir and general music, working with award-winning elementary and high school choirs, and teaching several academic subjects at two private schools in the Upstate of South Carolina, I now am focused exclusively on working with pianists and church musicians around the world, producing tutorials and teaching lessons.

After serving as pianist for nearly eight years at Progress Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC where my dad pastors, I am currently serving the Lord with my husband Josh as the church pianist at Bethel Calvary Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. Working with special groups, preparing preludes and offertories, and playing for congregational music is–without a doubt– one of my favorite ways to use music to glorify the Lord.

Performing in weddings, other special events, and concerts in the Greenville area has served as a fun outlet that still requires me to stay in shape as a pianist, learning new music, accompanying incredible vocalists and orchestras, and providing a beautiful musical backdrop to important events.

Ultimately, since music was created by God, I desire to use it to bring glory to His name. He is the Giver of gifts, and I seek to honor Him by giving the gift back to Him for His use.

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You can find out more by connecting with me on Instagram (@natraynes and @beautynblacknwhite, which is exclusively devoted to piano/church music information and videos), Twitter (@natalie_raynes), Facebook (Natalie Raynes), and YouTube (Natalie Raynes). I’ve posted many hymn-playing tutorials and hymn medleys there as well.

To find out more about live video lessons, or to ask about my availability to play for your wedding, special event, or service, just send me a message at any of the outlets above or through my contact page here on the site!

59 Responses

  1. I just discovered your Youtube videos accidentally?Providentially,i have been looking for how to improve my piano church hymn playing.How do i get your live videos?

    1. Hi Sylvester, We go live almost every Sunday afternoon on Facebook. You can follow us at Raynes Family and Victory Song. We also post videos and occasionally go live on Instagram at @beautynblacknwhite. Thanks for following!

      1. Hi Natalie, Is there any way you can post your Facebook videos to YouTube for those of us that don’t do Facebook? I know it wouldn’t allow participation like FB Live does, but I’ve been enjoying the videos and tutorials that I’ve found on YouTube and your blog and would like to be able to watch more. My goal is to be better able to play and serve in my church. I have a wonderful piano teacher that is local and is helping me learn to play hymns from our church hymnbook, but I enjoy the videos to help reinforce her teaching.

      2. Your music and your piano styling is a blessing to my Mother, bedridden at 98. She started playing the piano as a girl of 11 years old for church services in the Sandhills of Western Nebraska. I love to see her smile as you play. She says, “I love to watch her play”. Lord bless your ministry.

    2. I found your music on You Tube and listen very frequently. I am a senior citizen and love hearing the hymns. I sing right along as you play. I am truly blessed by your music each time I listen. Do you by any chance have CD’s available to purchase, so I can listen to it in my car? Thank you so much for blessing me – May God continue to Bless You. Diane Schwartz

    3. I just found you on UTube this afternoon and been listening for a few hours. I so enjoy your playing. Music I’ve heard all my life (until lately.)
      If I lived near you I sure would attend your church.
      I live in Northville, Michigan near Detroit.
      Thank you for playing on UTube.
      Right now I’m visiting my son and family in Milton, Georgia near Atlanta.
      His tv company is U Tube. I don’t know how I found you but I’m so glad I did. Dear Natalie you are a blessing.
      You can be sure this will not be the last time is listen and watch you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent.
      God Bless
      Love Yvonne Spencer
      PS I’m going to call some friends and tell them about you.

    4. Hello Natalie, I’ve been listenning your music just recently…I found you by coincidence on Youtube. I love yo hear you. God really blessed you with music gift yo bless everyone. Keep on playing.!I would like to bye a CD from your piano.

    1. Hi David, we have a CD called “Confidence by the Raynes Family” available on iTunes, Spotify, and other sources. We’re working on a hymnplaying video course that will be available later this year! 🙂

    2. Thank you Natalie for the tremendous blessing and encouragement you have been to me tonight (actually very early am 05/06). The Lord led me to your YouTube channel. When you read the verse from Proverbs 3 about sudden fear I knew God had purposely directed me there. Every hymn was an answer to prayer. Thank you for using your tremendous gifts from God FOR HIM! Love in Christ, Pam

      1. I’m so glad the music and Scripture were an encouragement to you! God has used that Scripture in my life too. It’s such a comforting verse. “The Lord shall be thy confidence!”

  2. I’ve learned anything with RAYNES on it is fantastic music!!!!! The first I heard was with the revolving duets… oh man that was jaw dropping!!! Wish you all would do that again.. or do a musical dvd!!! However I was so glad to catch your videos on FB and love every minute!! Thank you for sharing God’s talent !!!
    Congratulations on your marriage…you made a beautiful bride.. and he a handsome groom.. blessings on you both as you labor for Him!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

      1. Natalie,

        My mama played the piano by ear in a similar style to yours. She makes music with Jesus In heaven now.
        I stumbled on your Sunday hymn music and was transported to a place where sweet peace seeped into my weary soul and cleansing tears flowed.
        I often listen to you play as I go to sleep or in the middle of the night when I’m having trouble sleeping. The beautiful music of the hymns been a precious comfort and strength.
        I haven’t played the piano in years. Your music prompted me to play again. I play falteringly, sometimes just the melody, but as I play I’m encouraged in the Lord.
        Thank you for sharing your gift. My eyes fill with grateful tears as I write this.
        May the Lord Jesus bless you and bless the ministry He has given you.

        Eva Smith

      2. Hi Eva,

        I’m so glad you enjoy the music. Those hymns bring so much peace to many, including me. How sweet to hear that you’re encouraged by the videos. God bless you!

  3. Natalie, I have just discovered you and your simply beautiful piano hymnals on Facebook and Youtube. Your willingness and desire to serve the Lord by serving others with your music is such a blessing to me as well as many, many others, I’m sure. I’m so happy to have discovered your page. I’m a retired elementary teacher in KY and you and your tutorials have “lit a fire under me” to get back into practicing these beautiful southern gospel hymnals that speak to my heart. I’ve had piano lessons and can play just average, but my desire is to learn to play better, now that I have more time to practice. Thank you so so very very much for your sweet christ-like spirit, willingness to be used of Him, and the attitude you have just wanting to help others!! Please keep your tutorials coming. They are such a blessing and help to others. I’ve shared your music with other church pianist that are in my family. Thank you so much!! Congratulations on your marriage and for your desire to bring honor to the Lord with your life and your talents! May the Lord richly bless you and Josh”s marriage as you strive to serve the Lord together!!

  4. Hi Carolyn, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m thrilled to hear that the tutorials and videos are an encouragement to you! I’ll definitely keep sharing them. 🙂 Blessings to you as you continue learning!

  5. Dear Natalie,
    I cannot tell you how much your music had affected my life in these past weeks. A friend of mine, who knows that I love piano music, sent me a link to your Sunday evening hymn sings. After just one night of listening to you play, I was hooked, and so look forward to hearing you after our evening service. I have suffered with depression most of my life, and winter is a difficult time for me. Winter went right into the quarantine this year, and that was especially difficult for me. Our daughters and their families, including our two precious grandsons, moved to Colorado Springs two years ago. My husband finally decided that he was ready to retire, so last October we purchased a new home in Colorado Springs. We have lived in MD our entire lives. Our move was scheduled for the second week in May, and that has, of course, been pushed back. Our younger daughter is scheduled to be married in Denver in June, and that has been postponed. I have not been out of the house in five weeks, except our drive-in service on Easter Sunday morning. I have just been very down, and pretty apathetic about many things, and having my own pity party. When in reality, I am so very blessed. But, every morning on the days when my husband goes in to the office, I put you tube up on our big screen tv, and listen to your beautiful music. On the days that he is home, I do the same with my phone and ear buds so as not to disturb his work. I am so motivated, and I go about my daily projects singing and worshipping my God through your music. Many times the tears flow, but they are good cleansing tears. I thank you so much for your wonderful ministry to us with your music. May God richly bless you and Josh.?

    1. Hi Cheryl,

      I am so glad to hear that God has ministered to your heart through the music. That is such an encouragement to me! I will be praying for your family during these days. So much change is difficult, and uncertain times make it even more challenging. Yes, thinking about our blessings is such a great way to combat sadness! God bless you!

      1. We are recording our first vocal album next week, so I’ll post updates about when it will be available. We have one instrumental CD called “Confidence” by the Raynes Family, available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming sources.

      2. Hi Natalie!
        I just wanted to tell you that my husband and I were finally able to leave MD and travel to our new home in Colorado Springs. We have much to be thankful for! I have been listening to your number 20 of Sunday night hymns at least once a day. I just loved hearing the singing and the wonderful harmony. I, too, remember many times like this as we gathered around my Grandma’s piano, and then my Aunt’s when Grandma passed on to heaven. I think my second favorite song has become “No Need to Doubt Him Now”, after “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” You were right, they went beautifully together. May God continue to bless you and Josh and your family. Also, I really liked what Bro. Peercy (sp.?) had to say about praying for your Pastor’s wife. I just put a card in the mail to my Pastor’s wife back in Hagerstown, MD. Finally, could you pray that I find a good KJV Bible believing church out here in our new city? Thanks so much!??

      3. Hi Cheryl, I’m glad the move went well! We’ll be praying you all find a wonderful church family in your new town. God bless you! Thanks for watching the videos! I’m glad you enjoy them!

  6. My husband discovered your awesome videos on YouTube about a week ago and we have been enjoying watching and listening ever since that time. We sit here listening now during the viral pandemic you are playing “Because He Lives” and then you reminded us of the phrase from the song that we are not to fear “because He lives”. Thank you for blessing us with your beautiful musical talent and gift from God.

  7. I love to put You Tube up on my big screen tv and listen to your music as I am busy about the house. But, more often than not, I find myself stopping what I am doing to sit and not just thoroughly enjoy your beautiful music, but am mesmerized by your playing. I started taking piano lessons two years ago when I was 65 years old. I do pretty well, but I do not have natural talent or a gift, I am tenacious when learning a new song, and do not give up until I have properly learned it. I will never be a pianist this side of heaven, but I do so enjoy being able to sit down and play for my pleasure. Thanks for sharing your beautiful gift with me and so many others!
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  8. Natalie,
    We enjoy listening to your Sunday Hymns on Youtube each week and we would love to hear you play Be Strong in The Lord. God bless you!

  9. Treasure Swanson
    It was a real blessing to discover your beautiful piano videos. They are all inspiring and lovely. My Daddy was a Church of God (Cleveland,Tennessee) pastor and we grew up singing from “the Red Back Hymnal.” It was a special joy hearing gospel songs from childhood days. May the Lord richly bless you as you bless Christians everywhere.

  10. Sweet Natalie (and Josh) – My husband had outpatient surgery several weeks ago and spent a restless first night back home. Around 6am, I put on your piano hymns for him to listen to and he settled right down and was able to sleep – he slept so well that he woke up in Heaven! It was unexpected and heart wrenching for me but I just wanted you to know that your music ushered him into Glory and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for “playing him Home”. May God richly bless you both in the years to come.

      1. Natalie, I have thoroughly enjoyed and have been tremendously blessed by your music since I discovered you back in May. Would you please text me your mailing address so I can send you a gift? My cell is 806-922-6352. Thank you! Marcia Stevens, Sunray, Texas

  11. Do you have any latter day saints hymns like the Spirit of god available?By from David Clarke of Trinidad and Tobago

  12. Hi Natalie, I just happened on to a video of you playing the piano on Watch on Facebook and am so blessed by listening to your playing the many beautiful hymns. I am 77 years old and in the church where I attend has quit singing the old hymns and I miss that so much. As a young person I played in church. Most of my playing has been by ear and didn’t have the privilege of having much professional training. My mom taught me the most of what I knew about music. I just want you to know how your music blesses me. May God richly bless you and may you continue to bless others as much as you are blessing me. Thank you.

  13. Like most viewers the COVID restrictions have open up new opportunities for Christian fellowship. Been following GVB and came across your channel. I tried piano lessons as a youth. My teacher told my Mom she was wasting her money. So I enjoy listening to music and words of the great hymns. They have a wonderful theology! Keep serving the Lord and sharing your gifts. Grace and Peace~

    1. Hi Dave,

      Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoy the music. We appreciate the encouragement. I’m sorry lessons didn’t work out for you as a child! I think anyone can learn! 🙂 If you still want to learn, check out my beginner course. 😉

  14. Hi there! My brother in law Bejamin Roossinck who is mentally handicapoed has written a letter of support and encouragement for you. He listens every Sunday evening and also plays very nicely himself. Do you have a mailing address he could send his note to? Thank you, Beth Riossinck

  15. Natalie, I am another life-long Christian of the classical type who enjoys the YouTube “sessions” with you and Josh. THANK YOU! I am a subscriber.

    Do you have a copy of “The Hymnal 1982” or “The Service Book and Hymnal” (published in 1958) or “The Lutheran Book of Worship” (published in 1978)? I have a pew edition (which is not ideal for the music rack) of each of those in great condition. I’m willing to part with all of them on behalf of what you do so very well, so if you say you’d like to take a look at one of them – for starters – I’ll send it to you with a note as to some of my favorites.

    I started joining in with the congregational singing back in the ’50s, then became a choral singer in the late 1970s. I gave that part up in the early ’90s but still have been singing at worship ever since (but dislike having to do it through a mask, recently!).

    1. Hi Paul,
      Thank you so much for the encouragement. I do not have any of those books. Please do not feel like you have to part with a book you greatly value, but if you wish to send them, you may address them to 11 Easy Street, Taylors, SC 29687. That’s very kind of you to offer. So glad you enjoy the music! God bless!

  16. Is there any other way I can pay for the beginners course. I have never used that before. I live in the UK.

    1. Hi Maureen, You may use PayPal, GooglePay, or any credit or debit card to make a purchase. Just click the purple button that says “Add to Cart,” then you can click “Checkout” on the right side of the next screen. You’ll be directed through billing and shipping after that, and you can choose your form of payment. Thanks so much!

  17. Hi Natalie! My name is CURRY Brockman, seeing that you have such an impressive resume was very nice.I have written songs that I would like to have put in sheet music .I am wondering if you are available for that. Years ago I submitted a song to the Nashville song writing contest for a demo. It was a rock song ,however they sung it as a country song. No big deal I write that too! It would be a big success if you could help me out with this music. keep at it your blessed!

  18. Hi. Natalie are you still posting the hymns videos on YouTube I haven’t seen you on in a few weeks hopefully everyone is doing well

      1. I really enjoy the older hymns like amazing grace rock of ages he hideth my soul leaning on the everlasting arms any hymns by George bevlery shea apologies for the typos

  19. Dear Natalie and Josh Residing in South Africa, I always followed you on YouTube but lately I have not seen your wonderful piano music Have you got a special request that we can pray for you? I know you are expecting another baby soon, trust all well with all of you Be Blessed Eunice

  20. Your piano music ? is really good.Thank you for also sharing what the song ? means and about talking about the Lord too.

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