Rebecca St. James

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Rebecca St. James

Background information
Birth name Rebecca Jean Smallbone
Born July 26, 1977 (1977-07-26) (age 31)
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genre(s) Christian pop, Christian rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s) Singing
Years active 1991–present
Label(s) ForeFront Records
Website http://www.rsjames.com/

Rebecca St. James (born Rebecca Jean Smallbone on July 26, 1977), is a multiple Dove Award and Grammy Award-winning Christian pop rock singer, songwriter,musician, published author, actor and an outspoken teenage sexual abstinence and pro-life advocate. She is known for her hit singles including "Wait For Me", "God" and others.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Rebecca St. James was born Rebecca Jean Smallbone on July 26, 1977 in Sydney, Australia to parents David and Helen Smallbone.[1] In 1991 at the age of 13, she released an independent album titled Refresh My Heart in Australia, under the stage name of "Rebecca Jean".[2][3] Soon after its release, her family moved to the United States where her father received a job offer.[2]

[edit] Musical career

St. James' musical career began in 1990 when she opened shows for CCM artist Carman during his Australian tour. In 1991, she released her first album, Refresh My Heart, under the name Rebecca Jean. Later that year, she moved to the United States upon signing with ForeFront Records, and took her stage name at the label's request. In 1994 she released her major label debut titled Rebecca St. James.

[edit] God and Pray (1996–1999)

On June 25, 1996, Rebecca St. James released her sophomore album God, led by the hit title track. The album took Rebecca's music in a new direction, focusing more on rock. It opened to positive reviews [4] and debuted and peaked at 200 on the Billboard 200[5]. It also charted at no. 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and no. 6 on Billboard's Contemporary Christian chart. [6]. In 1997 she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock/Gospel Album for God and in 2005 the album was RIAA certified Gold for selling over 500,000 copies.[7] To promote the album, Rebecca released a devotion book titled 40 Days with God in 1996. [8]

In 1997, Rebecca released the sequel to her hit devotional book, titled You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God.[9] On October 7 of the same year, she released her first holiday album, simply titled Christmas. The album charted at no. 12 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and no. 14 on the Top Contemporary Christian chart. [10]

On October 20, 1998, Rebecca released her third studio album, Pray, which opened to mixed reviews. [11][12] The album managed to chart at no. 168 on the Billboard 200, and no. 5 on both the Heatseekers Chart and the Contemporary Christian Chart.[13] The album won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Rock/Gospel Album [14], and in 2006 it was RIAA certified Gold for selling over 500,000 copies.[15]

In 1999, Rebecca released a song titled "Yes, I Believe In God" to radio only, in memory of the lives lost at the Columbine shooting. The song was later released on the album Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James.[16]

Also in 1999, Rebecca released a VHS titled No Secrets featuring interviews of her and her family, behind-the-scenes footage and the music video for the song "Pray". [17]

[edit] Transform, Worship God and 10 Year Anniversary (2000–2004)

On October 24, 2000, Rebecca released a brand new album titled Transform. The album charted at no. 166 on the Billboard 200, no. 7 on the Heatseekers Chart and no. 14 on the Contemporary Christian Chart. [18] The album garnered positive reviews [19][20] and featured the hit songs "Wait For Me" and "Reborn". Later in 2001, the devotional book, 40 Days with God was re-released with a new layout and five new devotions. [21]

In 2000, Rebecca made a cameo in the film Left Behind: The Movie.

In 2002, to promote the hit single "Wait For Me" from Transform, Rebecca released the book Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance [22], which went on to sell over 100,000 copies and spawn a journal [23] and study guide. [24] The song and book promotes sexual abstinence before marriage, and Rebecca has since become a major spokesperson for the subject.

A year and a half later on February 26, 2002, Rebecca released the album Worship God. The album opened to extremely positive reviews [25][26] and charted at no. 94 on the Billboard 200, marking St. James' first Top 100 album, and no. 5 on the Contemporary Christian chart.[27] She released a DVD to promote the album November 19, 2002 that featured music videos, interviews, etc. [28]

On March 25, 2003, celebrating 10 years signed to ForeFront Records, Rebecca released her first greatest hits project titled Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James which features 16 of her biggest hits and two new songs [29], including the hit "I Thank You" which managed to peak at no. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. [30] The album failed to make the Billboard 200, but charted at no. 16 on the Contemporary Christian chart. [31]

On February 24, 2004, Rebecca released her very first live album titled Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name which features 7 new songs and 2 studio recorded songs. The album charted at no. 187 on the Billboard 200 and no. 12 on the Top Christian Albums chart. [32] Later that year, Rebecca released her book SHE: Safe, Healthy, Empowered: The Woman You're Made to Be. [33]

Also in 2004, Rebecca starred in the stage musical !Hero as a modern day Mary Magdalene aka "Maggie". [34] Aside from that, Rebecca lended her voice to the VeggieTales episode An Easter Carol as Hope the Music Box Angel. [35]

[edit] If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something (2005–2008)

Rebecca St. James performing at the Higher Ground Music Festival in August 2007
St. James performing in April 2007

After taking a hiatus from recording music, Rebecca returned to the studio in early 2005 to record new songs. On October 24, 2005, the first single from the upcoming album, "Alive", was released. [36] The song managed to chart at #3 on R&R's CHR Chart [37] and #13 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs Chart. [38] The new album, titled If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released on November 22, 2005. The album opened to fairly positive reviews. [39] [40] It charted at #14 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart, but failed to make the Billboard 200. [41]

On July 1, 2005 Rebecca released a Teen Edition of her hit book, SHE [42] and on October 1, 2005, Rebecca released another book titled Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything For God [43].

In early 2006, Rebecca embarked on her If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour with fellow Christian group BarlowGirl. [44] Rebecca also recorded the theme song for the National Day of Prayer. The song was titled "America" and was released to iTunes on May 2, 2006. [45] The same year, ForeFront Records put together a compilation album titled The Early Years, that covered ten songs from her earliest releases: Rebecca St. James, GOD and Pray. [46]

In 2006, Rebecca St. James made her film debut in Unidentified as Colleen. [47]

In 2007, ForeFront Records took live footage and recordings from the If I Had One Chance... Tour and released a CD/DVD collection on March 20 titled aLIVE in Florida. The album features 14 live songs and an exclusive remix of "You Are Loved". [48] The album charted at #43 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart. [49]

ForeFront Records put together a two-disc compilation album titled The Ultimate Collection which was released March 11, 2008. [50] Another compilation titled The Greatest Hits was released later that year on October 28, 2008. [51] On September 3, 2008 Rebecca released another book titled Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit. [52] Pure broke into Top 10 at #9 on the CBA bestseller’s list in Feb 2009.and was also nominated among the Top 3 books of 2009 for the youth/teen market.

[edit] New Music, Book & Movies (2009-present)

In late 2008, Rebecca announced she was filming a new movie with Stephen Baldwin and Candace Cameron, titled Faith of Our Fathers, which will be released in 2010. [53] She also announced she would star as the lead role in a new film titled Sarah's Choice, which will be released November 17, 2009 to DVD, [54] and that she's demoing new music for 2009. [55]

On April 16, 2009, Rebecca released a new song titled "You're Alive" to iTunes [56] as part of an album titled Resurrection Worship: Songs of Hope.

In June of 2009, Rebecca released another new song titled "Wish" to her MySpace page. [57] She also announced she has a new book on the way, titled Loved: Stories of Forgiveness. [58]

She is expecting to have a new album out by late 2009/early 2010.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Discography

Main article: Rebecca St. James discography

[edit] Bibliography

Year Title ISBN
1996/2001 40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey ISBN 0-7847-0569-0, ISBN 0-7847-1274-3
1997 You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God ISBN 0-7852-7139-2
2002 Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance ISBN 0-7852-7127-9
2003 Wait For Me Journal: Thoughts For My Future Husband
2004 SHE: Safe, Healthy, Empowered — The Woman You're Made To Be ISBN 1-4143-0026-3
2005 SHE Teen: Safe, Healthy, Empowered, co-authored with Lynda Hunter Bjorklund ISBN 1-4143-0028-X
Wait For Me Study Guide: Discover the Power of Purity
Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God ISBN 0-446-69560-2
2008 Pure ISBN 0446500410, ISBN 978-0446500418
2009 Loved: Stories of Forgiveness ISBN 9780446197014

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role
2000 Left Behind: The Movie Camera Coordinator for GNN
2004 An Easter Carol Hope, the Music Box Angel (voice)
2004 !Hero Maggie
2006 Unidentified Colleen
2009 Sarah's Choice Sarah
2010 Faith of Our Fathers Annie

[edit] Interviews

2002:

2004:

2005:

2006:

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Rebecca St. James Discography". Jesus Freak Hideout. http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/RebeccaStJames.asp. Retrieved on 2008-12-22. 
  2. ^ a b "Rebecca St. James Bio". ChristianMusic.com. http://www.christianmusic.com/rebeccastjames/bio.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-18. 
  3. ^ "Rock Gospel star appears at Artpark June 15". Buffalo News. (accessmylibrary.com). 2007-06-03. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30932083_ITM. Retrieved on 2008-12-18. 
  4. ^ reviewshttp://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0zfoxqthldhe
  5. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=305&cfgn=Albums&cfn=The+Billboard+200&ci=3023906&cdi=7078238&cid=07%2F13%2F1996
  6. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0zfoxqthldhe~T3
  7. ^ http://www.riaa.com/
  8. ^ http://www.amazon.com/40-Days-God-Devotional-Journey/dp/0784705690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245465911&sr=8-1
  9. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Voice-Devotional-Journey-Continues/dp/0785271392/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245465911&sr=8-2
  10. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9foxqrjld6e~T3
  11. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kbftxq8jldse
  12. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Pray.asp
  13. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kbftxq8jldse~T3
  14. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kbftxq8jldse~T32
  15. ^ http://www.riaa.com/
  16. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Wait-Me-Best-Rebecca-James/dp/B00008L3QZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245466452&sr=8-2
  17. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-St-James-Secrets-VHS/dp/B00002CGFZ/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1245640683&sr=8-10
  18. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifyxqw0ldhe~T3
  19. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifyxqw0ldhe~T3
  20. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Transform.asp
  21. ^ http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/bookdetail.php?book_id=175
  22. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Wait-Me-Rediscovering-Purity-Romance/dp/0785288252/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245467258&sr=8-4
  23. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Wait-Me-Journal-Thoughts-Husband/dp/0785263969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245467258&sr=8-1
  24. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Wait-Me-Study-Guide-Discover/dp/1418501956/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245467258&sr=8-10
  25. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WorshipGod.asp
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  27. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbftxqw0ldte~T3
  28. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WorshipGodDVD.asp
  29. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfrxqqaldae
  30. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=355&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Christian+Songs&ci=3051404&cdi=8063702&cid=10%2F25%2F2003
  31. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfrxqqaldae~T3
  32. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbftxq8aldae~T3
  33. ^ http://www.amazon.com/SHE-Healthy-Empowered-Woman-Youre/dp/1414300263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245467464&sr=1-1
  34. ^ http://www.herouniverse.com/start.php
  35. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/RebeccaStJames.asp
  36. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=81429188&s=143441
  37. ^ http://www.emicmgdistribution.com/products/detail.aspx?iid=510222
  38. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=355&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Christian+Songs&ci=3064899&cdi=8564437&cid=03%2F18%2F2006
  39. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/IfIHadOneChanceToTellYouSomething.asp
  40. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0ifpxqtdldke
  41. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0ifpxqtdldke~T3
  42. ^ http://www.musichristian.com/sys/product.php?PRODUCT=163341
  43. ^ http://www.musichristian.com/sys/product.php?PRODUCT=167356
  44. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/IfIHadOneChanceToTellYouSomethingTour06.asp
  45. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/AmericaTheEP.asp
  46. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheEarlyYearsRSJ.asp
  47. ^ http://www.unidentifiedthemovie.com/
  48. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0pfoxzu5ldae
  49. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0pfoxzu5ldae~T3
  50. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:h9foxzejldse
  51. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3zfwxzykldae
  52. ^ http://www.musichristian.com/sys/product.php?PRODUCT=560433
  53. ^ http://www.faithofourfathersmovie.com/
  54. ^ http://store.pureflix.com/index.php?p=PRODUCTS%2CView&id=324&id=324
  55. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/12/04.REBECCA%20ON%20HOUR%20OF%20POWER%20THIS%20WEEKEND.asp
  56. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=310921229&id=310921213&s=143441
  57. ^ http://www.myspace.com/rebeccastjames
  58. ^ http://musichristian.com/rsjames/loved/splash.html

[edit] External links

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v • d • e
Rebecca St. James
Studio albums
EPs
Compilation albums
Singles
Books
40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey | You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God | Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance | Wait for Me Journal: Thoughts for My Future Husband | SHE: Safe, Healthy, Empowered – The Woman You're Made To Be | Wait For Me Study Guide: Discover the Power of Purity | SHE Teen: Safe, Healthy, And Empowered | Sister Freaks
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