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Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez was born
October 15th, 1979 in Houston, Texas to David and
Diana Velasquez. She is the youngest sibling of
Mario, Julian, Mindy, and Dion.
Jaci Velasquez ceases to be a novelty act the moment
she picks up a microphone. Although it would be any
casual observer抯 inclination to be both
distracted and mesmerized by her youth, Jaci's
musical talents go well beyond her 19 years. Her
vocals have long exceeded anyone's expectations of a
teenager's range, emotion and depth, and on her
latest release, simply titled, Jaci Velasquez, an
even more polished and sophisticated artist has
emerged. The little girl with the big dream is no
longer dreaming.
Only three short years ago, 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抯 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, was released in May of 1998. The book,
entitled, A Heavenly Place, was yet another chance
for Jaci to share more than just music with her
fans. "It was tough," 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 performance at a Billy Graham Crusade in San
Antonio, Texas. 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.
After releasing her holiday single, performed in
conjunction with The Winans Phase 2 and Burlap to
Cashmere, Jaci is getting ready to release her
Spanish album, Un Lugar Celestial by Sony Discos on
August 24, 1999. She is also doing international
touring. Click here to see a list of her 1999
concerts. Jaci won the 1999 Dove Award for Female
Vocalist of the Year. She was also nominated for 4
other Dove Awards including: Song of the Year
("God So Loved"), Artist of the Year,
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
("God So Loved"), and as a contributor to
Special Event Album of the Year (Touched By An Angel
Soundtrack).
Also coming soon, Jaci teamed up with Gospel singer
Oleta Adams to record a new song, "Colors of
the Heart," which will be released on July 13th
on a new album from Benson Records called Bridges.
The song features very mature-sounding vocals
blended exceeding well together. Jaci's first home
video called Clips and Conversations will be
released on August 24th in conjunction with her new
Spanish album. It will feature all of her music
videos plus an exclusive interview.
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