Jaci Velasquez (Compact Disc)

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Tell me a little bit about what your family was like. Sounds like they were a huge influence on your life.

JACI: My family is the biggest influence in our lives. I have three brothers and one sister and I grew up with two of them and the other two I didn't grow up with because they had a different mom. To me the most special thing in the world is knowing that I have five other people out in the world that have the same mom or dad as me. Unfortunately my brothers and sisters don't sing. They don't sing and they are a lot older than I am. They all have other lives. I'm the baby of the family, by nine years.

Does your mom usually travel with you when you're on the road?

JACI: My mother alway travels with me when I'm on the road.

Is she kind of like your road manager?

JACI: She has nothing to do with the business end of it or the music end of it. She's just there to be "mom." She's not a stage mother, she does nothing like that. She's just mom and she's my very, very, very best friend.

It sounds like you started singing as soon as you could talk. Do you remember your first stage performance?

JACI: My first time to ever perform on stage - oh geeeeez, I was three years old and I was singing at our church, I sang El Shadai. I would change the lyrics. I would say "El Shadai, El Shadai, all my friends are good to me," and things like that, I mean I was three years old. I have a tape of it, it was really funny!

Did you have plans to start performing or was your music career something that just developed out of your love for singing?

JACI: It's not so much that I love singing or being up in front of people. That's a cool part, that's a perk, is what I call it. It wasn't like my ambition was to become a singer. It was never that. I knew I was capable of carrying a tune, but it wasn't my ambition to become a singer - do this by any means, do these festivals and shows. I had no idea. But I knew that was something I could possibly do if God put me in it. I love to do this so much. For me one of the perks is I love to talk to people as I'm sure you could tell. (You're good at it.) I am good at it. Thank you. I'm good at talking to people I don’t know.

As a child I used to walk up to people that I didn't know. Here I am two or three feet tall walking up to people going "Hi, my name is Jaclyn, what's your name?" I would actually say, "my name is Jacquelyn Davette Valesquez, what's your name?" Those are some things that made me realize that yes, I am a talker.

How did you get discovered by your record label?

JACI: Well, the way I got discovered was by a fluke accident. I was really at the right place at the right time, right people, everything. The booking agent for POINT OF GRACE asked me to come and open one of their concerts. So I went and I opened the concert and they had a video tape and they sent it back to their management which is now my management, Mike Atkins, and he hooked me up. He's the one who set me up with Myrrh.

How long ago was that?

JACI: That was when I was 14.

Were you surprised when they called you up?

JACI: It was really exciting. I remember sitting at the other end of the phone going, "oh my gosh, my gosh, my gosh." I was so excited, getting a record deal at 15.

Your first album was incredibly successful, did that surprise you?

JACI: You know, things like that are always surprising. It's mostly scary, because you put out this album and it could work out or not work out. Even if your heart is in the right place and God is in it all, it could still not work out. It could be something else, but it was exciting to know that all these things were happening and it's even more exciting to see things happening with the second album. I'm still scared that it won't be quite as successful as the first one and people are going to be disappointed.

When your first album became so successful was it hard for your lifestyle to change and turn into the this "artist" lifestyle?

JACI: There were a lot of things to get used to. It was weird to know that I'm not supposed to show my face until I’m supposed to sing. That's stupid. It was weird to know that I have to come and do these press conferences and take pictures alone. I felt so dumb. Things like that change you a little bit. I've kind of learned to go, "You know what, I'm not going to change, I'm not going to change myself just because that's what everyone expects out of you." I go and listen to all the bands and stand there and I don't care anyone more. In the beginning I was like, ah, maybe I shouldn't do that because it's not the right thing to do, who cares.

Jaci Velasquez, whose latest album is Llegar a Ti on Myrrh Records, also appears on the Music of the Heart soundtrack.

Full Name: Jacquelyn Davite Velasquez

What you wish you were named: Isabella Catherina

Born where and when: Houston, TX 10/15/79 2:15 pm

Family Stats: Mom, dad, three brothers, two sisters and one dog

First Job: This is it

Pets: Dog--Dallas

Hidden Talent: I can bend my forefinger all the way back

Currently in the cd player: Alejandro Sanz

Most annoying habit: Talking too much

What was in your bag the last time you left Target: Black & white film

If you could swap lives with someone for one day, who would it be: Melanie Griffith (Because she's married to Antonio Banderas)

Worst Fear: Being jaded

Best way to make you laugh: Be funny

Thing you can't do to save your life: Make sense

Best gift ever received: My camera and darkroom equipment

Most memorable meeting: Billy Graham

First album you remember buying: U2, Joshua Tree

First Christian album: Amy Grant's Father's Eyes; I loved the song "Giggle"

Most Embarrassing Moment: Mother didn't remember that I liked this guy and she spilled the beans in front of both of us

Most incredible date: My first one

If a movie was made of your life, who should play you? Claire Danes

Best Dish You Can Prepare: Pizza from Argentina

Pet peeves: A messy bathroom

Cartoon character that reminds you of you: Pocahontas

Food you refuse to eat: None

If music wasn't your career, what do you think you'd be doing? Makeup, hair and clothes for other artists

Most memorable concert experience: When I fell down on stage

If you were an action hero, who would you be? Batman, in a feminine way

First car: '89 Honda Prelude

Dream car: '56 Chevy

What product would you definitely endorse if asked? My mom's salsa

Number of speeding tickets (honestly): 0

Phrase you most often overuse: "Anyways"

Collections: Hotel room keys

Worst trouble you got into as a child or teen: Sorry, I was a really good girl

Dream Duet: Me and Bonnie Raitt

Where you are right now: My house

Last video seen: You've Got Mail

Movie that makes you cry: Heidi

Future plans: Grow up ... eventually

Collections: Pencils and pens

Scar story: My lip is scarred and it happened when I was 8-months-old and was just learning how to walk. I was reaching for a table, missed and hit my lip on the corner.

Best Advice you've ever been given: "Less is more."

Number of Fan letters/emails answered monthly: A whole lot

VACATION SPOT: New York City
BOOKS: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:16
PIZZA: Cheese
FOOD: Anything my mom cooks
TV SHOW: My So Called Life
STORE: Armani Exchange
SPORTS TEAM: Dallas Cowboys
HOBBIES: Photography, rock climbing, shopping, driving my car
MOVIES: Pocahontas
COLOR: Blue
CD: Bonnie Raitt, Luck Of The Draw; Amy Grant, Lead Me On
ACTRESS: Claire Danes
ACTOR: Antonio Banderas
FLOWER: White tulips
DESSERT: Ice Cream
ICE CREAM FLAVOR: Chocolate Malted Crunch
PERFUME: Coco by Chanel
TOOTHPASTE: Colgate
LIPSTICK COLOR: Red
NAIL POLISH COLOR: Black

God So Love
"God So Love" is one of the biggest anthems with the most simple message. It’s this song that defines the album to me. The message is one that everyone knows – John 3:16, "For God so loved the world." The cool think is, it talks about the verse from the Bible, "God so love," in a song and then in the chorus it has that anthem, the actual verse, so that anyone can sing and feel right through the song.

Show You Love
To me it’s a fun kind of play-along song. It’s one of those songs that has a little bit of an edge, but in a good way. So many Christians are always like, "give ‘em God, give ‘em this" and I think ‘you know what, you can’t do that." It comes down to you can’t shove it in their faces, you can’t make them believe something that they don’t want to believe. Sometimes it just takes showing them love.

Little Voice Inside
Stylistically, this is such a cool song. It’s got that Caribbean kind of feel. There’s always a little voice inside calling to us and sometimes we get so lost in our world and what we have to do that we never pay attention to that little voice inside. Some people take it as their conscience and other people take it as we know who that little voice is.

You
I love this song! "You" to me, is a love song. I don’t know how else to explain it. If we could just fathom the idea that there’s someone in this world who makes everything good and makes everything beautiful and wonderful in your life… I can’t even fathom that! But there is somebody who is that for me.

Look What Love Has Done
"Look What Love Has Done" for me, is like love—it just does crazy things to you. Love makes you forget your name, it makes you forget who you are, it makes you forget where you live…and it also does amazing things to you. That’s what t his song tries to get across.

Child of Mine
"Child of Mine" is a humbling song. To sing it from the standpoint of the Lord is kind of a weird thing. I’ve never done that before in a song. I was actually a little reluctant to sing the song because it was from the Lord’s standpoint. And then when I got into the studio, it was like hey, wait, even though this is very humbling and I’m a little scared, you gotta do what you gotta do. And I think in the end, it turned out to be a very powerful song to me.

Speak For Me
"Speak For Me" is my favorite song on the record. I truly do believe that this is a song that every person who does God’s work is in ministry – this is one of the songs they need to listen to. It’s just so hard sometimes for me when you give so much and you don’t have anything left to give. I mean, what do I have to give the world? I don’t have anything. And sometimes what it’s down to is, "Speak for me Lord. Do all these things and be all these things I can’t be for this world in need."

Glory
"Glory" is happy. "Glory" is very happy. It’s definitely a foot-stomping song. It comes down to—"Glory" is a celebration. Anointed did a special guest appearance on the song. It sounds great!

Sweet Surrender
"Sweet Surrender" is a love song to Jesus – it truly is. It’s about surrendering all your mental capabilities and your physical and your emotional capabilities to Him and letting Him love you in every way He can.

Paper Tigers
This is a song about your fears and how sometimes you let your fears overtake you. When, it reality, those fears that you keep letting surround you just turn out to be these little paper tigers that are really nothing.

Made My World
"Made My World" is a song that I wanted to put so badly on this record! Stylistically, it’s just fun — it’s where I am, it’s what I have fun with. "Made My World," doesn’t have the deepest message, but it has the most important message of all. "When I thought my dreams were fading and everything was crashing around me in this world, You came down and You saved me, and You made my world."

Al Mundo Dios Amó
It’s a translation of "God So Love," but it’s written a little different. My dad actually translated the song. It’s the same as the first song, but it’s a correct translation. Because you can’t go back and take the words and just translate them perfectly – it just doesn’t come out correctly. But you take the song artistically and you fix and mix it around. It think lyrically it’s even more beautiful than the one in English.

Chorus:
God so loved the world
That He gave His one and only Son
That whosoever believes in Him
will not perish but have everlasting life

I try so hard to find the words to say
To let you know how great is this God to whom I pray
Nothing can or ever will compare
To the peace that flows in your soul when He is living there

Oh I know you've been through so much
It's hard to contemplate letting go and reaching out in trust
But I know the simple truth
That love is here for you
So take Him at His word and see what He can do

The promise is yours and mine
Take hold of this love
For the rest of your life

But it's time to take a step of faith
Be prepared for Jesus' love to carry you away

©1997 SGO Music Pub. Ltd.(adm. by Bug Music, Inc.)/BMI Drums: Dan Needham, Guitars: Jerry McPherson, George Cocchini, Bass: Jackie Street, Keyboards: Mark Heimermann, Percussion: Terry McMillan, BGVs: Lisa Bevill, Dana Glover, Mark Heimermann

Please forgive me
If I come on too strong
I get a little anxious
When I talk about God's love
Hold me back now
Stop me if I start to preach
'Cause I don't want to be the one
To push you out of reach

The way to give love
Is how you live love
That is what I'll do
You cannot fight it
You can't deny it
Love will get to you

Chorus:
Don't wanna get up in your face
Don't wanna put the pressure on
Don't wanna make you run away
Just wanna show you love
Don't wanna beg you to believe
Don't wanna take you for a ride
Don't wanna sell you anything
Just wanna show you love
Show you love
Just wanna show you love

I won't convince you
With anything I say
But maybe you will see His love
In how it is portrayed
An act of kindness
A loving sacrifice
Simple little things that have
The power to change your life

There's no surprises
And no disguises
Just the blessed truth
No obligation
No complication
Just a gift for you

©1998 Fun Attic Music/ASCAP Drums: Dan Needham, Guitars: Jerry McPherson, George Cocchini, Bass: Jackie Street, BGVs: Jaci Velasquez, Michael Tait

Father do you hear me
'Cause I know I hear you
I waited for the answers
While sittin' here in my room
I danced to the rhythm
And moved by myself
No one could see through me
Or hear the words I felt

Chorus:
Little voice inside keeps calling
Little voice inside it cries
Little voice inside keeps calling
Little voice - oh won't you be my guide
I sometimes hear the echo
The pattern of my cry
I sometimes feel the pulling
From a sound that's deep inside
Quiet are the whispers
And silent are my eyes
No one hears but me
That little voice inside, you see

©1998 Fun Attic Music/ASCAP/Gotee Music/BMI/Achtober Songs/BMI Drums: Dan Needham, Guitars: George Coccini, Jerry McPherson, Bass: Jackie Street, Keyboards: Mark Heimermann, Percussion: Terry McMillan, B-3: Phil Madeira, Strings: Nashville String Machine, Strings arranged by Tom Howard, BGVs: Jaci Velasquez, Michelle Tumes

Who make
The sun light up my shadows
When the darkness tries to follow me
Who makes
The air that brings me life
So I can breathe the love that’s given to me

Chorus:
You make everything good
Everything wonderful
You grace my days
And heaven fills my view
Let’s forever sing
You make everything pure
Everything beautiful
You make me see the only thing that’s true
It’s you
Who makes
The waters of my sorrow part
And leads the gladness into my heart
Who makes
The Rivers run that wash away
And clean my soul to make a new start
You hung the moon
You placed the stars that shine your love for me
I hope all that I do
Will show reflections of you

You decided long ago
To let me in to your deepest soul
You have given me
A pride of place
Then somehow you let it fade away
I know you so well
And I can tell
When you’ve been hiding something from me
Just let it go
Let my love flow
Let it bring you release

Chorus:
I have come
To breathe new life
Into the heart of a child of mine

I have come
To give you peace
So lift your head and believe
You were made
In a beautiful way
Born to be holy
And sure of your faith
Something inside you
Has led you astray
Now you’re locked in a struggle
And it won’t go away
I know you have been
Down on your knees
I saw you cryin’ for mercy
Well how can I help
when you’re still holdin’ on
To somethin’ more precious than me

Chorus2:
I have come
To breathe new life
Into the heart of a child of mine

I have come
To life you up
To set you free so believe
It’s all about total surrender
It’s all about total surrender
It’s all about total surrender
Givin’ it up when the goin’ gets tough
Givin’ it up when the goin’ gets rough

Heart pounds
To the sound
Comin’ after me
Step back
What is that?
It’s a mystery
Is it something’
Probably nothin’
Still I find a way to scare myself
‘Til I remember
This all feels familiar
And I know better

Chorus:
They are only paper tigers following me
In the wild imagination of the make believe
And there’s a fighter, a survivor arising in me
I’m not afraid of paper tigers

Night brings
Creepy things
And I hide away
False fears
Disappear
In the light of day
The sun is rising
I’m realizing
The only thing to fear is fear itself
Now I am certain
That my beast of burden
Isn’t worth the worry

Chorus2:
They are only paper tigers following me
In the wild imagination of the make believe
And there’s a fighter, a survivor arising in me
I’m not afraid
And I won’t run away from paper tigers

Where once the moon
Was just a rock spinning in the sky
Where once the stars
Were only tiny points of light
Now the moon looks like
It’s heaven’s shining pearl
Now those stars—they look like
Windows into another world

Chorus:
Look what Love has done to me
Look what Love has done
There’s poetry in all I see
Look what Love has done
And my heart is dancing through each day
My soul is running free
Look what Love has done to me

Where once each breath
Was just a sigh of aching emptiness
Where once I hardly felt
The beating in my chest
Now each breath feels like
A precious kiss of life
Now inside me beat the
Wings of a thousand butterflies

Chorus2:
Look what Love has done to me
Look what Love has done
This must be how it’s meant to be
Look what Love has done
And my heart is dancing through each day
My soul is running free
Look what Love has done to me

And I can’t tell
Was that a violin or did You say something
Was that lightning striking where I stand
Or did you You just reach out and take my hand

Chorus:
I see the glory
There’s glory all around in the world
And glory has been found—it surrounds me
And opens my mind and heart

Looking for a meaning
Wandering around with no direction
I’d rush to take that next big step
To make it that much more ahead
I went for the horizon
And I found the glory of Your love
we’ve been through stormy weather
Now I know Your love’s with me forever
Your’re here to take that step with me
You’re by my side eternally
I went for the horizon
And I found the glory of Your love

I never thought of what I could be
Where I’d go
What I’d do
I never thought of what I should be
Until you
You came into my life
When I was all alone
You came down
And saved my soul

Chorus:
When I found my world was crashing
And I thought I’d lost my passion,You came and laid a hand
On this little girl
when I thought my dreams were fading
I looked up and saw you waiting
You reached your hand down
And you made my world

I never thought of where I might be
If I turned away from you
I never thought of all I would need
Without you
You came down
When I was all alone
You came down
You came down
And you saved my soul

What have I to offer
To a world in need
Yet for some unknown reason
You have chosen me
Lord You’ve set my journey
You’ve prepared the way
Still I’m desperate
For the words to say
All I am is willing
All I have is in Your hands

Chorus:
Speak for me
This my plea
Say the worlds I can’t express
Sing for me
A heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed
Speak for me

Every brief encounter
That you send my way
Is a chance to show the love You gave me
I see their troubled faces
A hunger deep inside
Lord I depend on You to touch their lives
Light what burns within me
Let Your truth shine through my life

Chorus2:
Speak for me
This my plea
Say the words I can’t express
Sing for me
A heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed

Speak for me
Sing for me, set me free
And they will see Your holiness
Speak for me
‘Cause Your love will lead them on to heaven’s gate
Where they can look upon Your face
Light what burns within me
Let Your truth shine through my life
You’re all I have to offer to a world in need

It’s not a mysterious wind
And it’s not the thunder rollin’ in
It’s a spirit that I feel within that’s callin’
I understand but I can’t explain
Now I see a love in a different way
And with a single leap of faith I’m fallin’
Into Your loving arms
Showing no resistance
There’s a peace that flows over me

Sweet surrender
Love me tender
You have captured my desiring heart – completely
Sweet surrender

Yours forever
I will gladly give my all to You – receive me
Oh Lord, I am ever Yours
Your love offers no escape
But I don’t feel the need to run away
My heart has found a place to stay here with you
Nothing else could satisfy
The deep void that I had inside
From all the worldly battles I had lived through
Now here in Your loving arms
I have gone the distance
I will rest my soul in your embrace

Al mundo Dios amó, a su Hijo Él nos dio
Y todo aquel que creyera en Él
No perecsa más tenga vida eternal

He tratado de hallar palabras que decir
Y hacerte conocer a un Dios de gran poder
Nada puede en ests mundo comparar
Con la paz que siente tu alma cuando Él en ti está
Si yo sé que difícil es de contemplar dejarlo todo
Y confiar solo en Él
Si yo sé que es la verdad
Y que su amor es para ti
Toma su Palabra y ves to que Él hará
És es fiel con sus promesas, tomando su mano
Seguro estarás
Hay que dar ese paso de fe
Él te ve, te ayundará y paz Él te dará
Vida eternal, vida eternal, al mundo Dios amó
Que Él dio, que Él dio, él Hijo de Dios, él Hijo de Dios
Qie crea en Él, que crea en Él
Él te ama mucho, Él te ama mucho
Él te quiere, te quiere

In 1996, an unknown 16 year-old, soon-to-be-Phenom, exploded in the world of Christian music. With the release of her debut album, Heavenly Place, Velasquez quickly became a fixture on the charts, graced the pages and covers of national magazines and was a constant winner in a multitude of award polls and shows. She now holds the distinction of being the fastest selling debut solo artist in the history of Christian music. Her debut album shot five singles to the number one position, landed Jaci Velasquez the prestigious Dove Award for New Artist of the Year and was recently certified gold, signifying sales over half a million copies. Not a bad start for any new artist.

Teaming up once again with producer Mark Heimermann, Velasquez is quick to point out the difference between the making of Heavenly Place, her first "real" record and her latest sophomore effort. "This time there were a lot more people involved," she laughs, "and a lot more opinions and ideas! It's a little scary." Her first album came about after what she herself calls "a fluke" discovery - coming after she was asked to open for a Point of Grace concert in her hometown. Their road manager, who witnessed her performance, was so impressed he made some calls, introduced her to management and eventually Myrrh Records' executives. The rest, as they say, is history. Even so, the demands and expectations for a blockbuster follow-up project, which could make even a seasoned artist shudder have only strengthened Jaci's resolve. "It's a bittersweet thing being so young in this industry," she confesses. "People think, 'ah, she's just a kid, this is what you need to do, Jaci'. Now that's changing for me, people are beginning to respect me a little more."

Respect is one thing that won't be hard to find while looking over the cast and crew that went into the making of Jaci Velasquez. The album boasts a stellar lineup of some of music's top studio players: Jackie Street on bass, Jerry McPherson on guitar, and drummer Dan Needham, while label-mates Anointed dropped in for the rousing, "Glory". Song writers lending their talents to the project include Grammy winner ("Change My World") Wayne Kirkpatrick, album producer, Mark Heimermann, Chris Eaton, Toby McKeehan and Michelle Tumes. The multi-Grammy winning Mick Guzauski (Celine Dion, Babyface, Eric Clapton, Amy Grant) has also been called in to mix several songs on the album.

The album, of course, features the older and wiser Jaci, but not surprisingly, the songs have an added depth and passion - more so than one would expect only "two years later" from any recording artist. Then again, in that same time, Jaci also went from childhood to adulthood in her own life.

"There were a lot more emotional rushes for me on this album," she points out, and also proudly notes a significant new level of sophistication in both the music and the delivery.

Call it one of the hazards of life as a Christian musician, but Jaci also seems as ready as ever to tackle the expectation of artistry as ministry and the confines of a somewhat scrutinized personal life which seems to come with the territory. She recalls her stints on stage with her father and his traveling ministry and remembers with a hint of laughter that she actually was called on to preach to the audience as often as she was called to sing. That experience, however, prepared her for what was to come.

Today Jaci receives thousands of letters from young fans and their parents and shoulders well the burden of role model.

To her peers, Jaci is much more than an entertainer. Espousing a commitment to abstinence, Jaci has been a spokesperson for the popular national campaign True Love Waits, and proudly shows her "promise ring" to emphasize the passion of her decision. A new book, published by Simon & Schuster and written by Jaci throughout the whirlwind of her last year, releases in May. The book, entitled, Heavenly Place, was yet another chance for Jaci to share more than just music with her fans. "It was though," she recalls of the writing, "I had to search myself and actually dig deep and find out why I believe what I believe in and why I've dreamed these dreams."

She names among her greatest influences, Amy Grant, a young artist who forged the very same path that Jaci is now on as a contemporary Christian woman, sharing her heart and voice through music. She counts her greatest moment as an artist, however, as her performances at a Billy Graham Crusade. Even though she's sung at the White House and in hundreds of churches and concert halls throughout the country the appearance was anything but old hat for Jaci. "I love people and I love being a part of people's lives" she confesses with trademark candor. "I may not even know them, but just thinking that a song is a part of a person's memories and when they think back to that moment that my song was part of it - I love that."

Asked what her wildest dream is, as if it possibly hasn't already come true, she giggles enthusiastically, "to meet Antonio Banderas!" - but then quickly regaining her mature composure banters out loud about her desire to maybe someday take her gifts into the field of acting. As for television experience, Jaci's already had a little taste. She's made the regular talk show circuit with appearances on The Today Show and Fox's After Breakfast, and even filmed a Target commercial last Christmas which aired in Hispanic markets throughout the United States. "But, you know," she confesses with great seriousness. "Music is my first love. If anything took away from my music I couldn't do it."

Long after her days as a teen-wonder have ended Jaci Velasquez will still likely be a dominant figure in the musical world. The novelty of her youth which naturally passes with age, is already growing into an enthusiastic respect of a powerhouse talent. And if natural talent, healthy ambition and a heart for "changing the world" is truly what it takes to make it, Jaci Velasquez is well on her way.