Rebecca St. James
Encyclopedia
Rebecca St. James is a Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actor. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. In 1993 she was signed to the record label ForeFront Records
and released her major label debut
a year later.
St. James rose to fame in the late 1990s with her RIAA certified Gold
albums God
and Pray, the latter of which won a Grammy Award
in 1999 for Best Rock Gospel Album. The albums spawned multiple singles including "God
", "Pray", and "Yes, I Believe In God". Since then she has established herself as one of the most prominent musical artists in CCM
music with four additional full-length studio albums; Transform
, Worship God
, If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something
, and I Will Praise You
. Staple songs such as "Wait for Me", "Reborn
", "Song of Love
", "I Thank You
", "Alive
", and "Shine Your Glory Down" have all been derived from these releases. Since the beginning of her career, St. James has sold a total of two million albums.
Outside of her musical career, St. James is an accomplished author and actress. To date, she has released nine published books and starred in five films, a musical stage show
, and a VeggieTales
episode. Her ninth book What Is He Thinking? was released on September 26, 2011, and she has starred in the films Unidentified
, Sarah's Choice
, Rising Stars
, The Frontier Boys
, and Suing the Devil. St. James is also an outspoken sexual abstinence
and pro-life
advocate, as well as a spokesperson for Compassion International
.
in Dural, New South Wales
in the Hills District of Sydney
.
during his Australian tour. The following year she released an independent album titled Refresh My Heart in Australia, under the stage name of "Rebecca Jean". Soon after its release, her family moved to the United States
where her father received a job offer. She signed 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
. She also released an EP titled Extended Play Remixes
in 1995.
, led by the title track
. The album took St. James' music in a new direction, focusing more on rock. It opened to positive reviews and debuted at 200, and peaked at 168 on the Billboard 200
. It also charted at No. 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 6 on Billboards Contemporary Christian chart. In 1997, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album
for God and in 2005 the album was RIAA
certified gold
for selling over 500,000 copies. To promote the album, St. James released a devotion book titled 40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey in 1996.
In 1997, St. James released the sequel to her devotional book, titled You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God
. 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 Top Heatseekers
chart and No. 14 on the Top Contemporary Christian chart.
On October 20, 1998, St. James released her third studio album, Pray, which opened to mixed reviews. 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. The album won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Rock/Gospel Album, and in 2006 it was RIAA certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies.
In 1999, St. James 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
. 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". In addition to her own projects, St. James took part in a CD release titled Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship, which featured female Christian artists such as Nichole Nordeman
, Jennifer Knapp
, herself and others. The album was released in November 1999 and features two songs by St. James; "As We Wait" and "River of Life".
. The album charted at No. 166 on the Billboard 200
, No. 7 on the Heatseekers Chart and No. 14 on the Contemporary Christian Chart. The album garnered positive reviews and featured the songs "Wait For Me" and "Reborn
". Also in 2000, St. James made a cameo
in the film Left Behind: The Movie
. A year later, the devotional book
, 40 Days with God was re-released with a new layout and five new devotions.
In 2002, to promote the single "Wait For Me" from Transform, St. James released the book Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance
, which went on to sell over 100,000 copies and spawn a journal
and study guide
. The song and book promotes sexual abstinence
before marriage, and St. James has since become a major spokesperson for the subject.
On February 26, 2002, St. James released the album Worship God
. The album opened to extremely positive reviews and charted at No. 94 on the Billboard 200
, marking St. James' first Top 100 album, and No. 5 on the Contemporary Christian chart. She released a DVD to promote the album November 19, 2002 that featured music videos, interviews, etc.
On March 25, 2003, celebrating 10 years signed to ForeFront Records
, St. James released her first compilation project titled Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James
which features 16 of her most popular songs and two new ones, including "I Thank You" which managed to peak at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. The album failed to make the Billboard 200
, but charted at No. 16 on the Contemporary Christian chart.
On February 24, 2004, St. James 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. Later that year, St. James released a compilation album titled The Best of Rebecca St. James
, and her book SHE: Safe, Healthy, Empowered: The Woman You're Made to Be. Also in 2004, St. James starred in the stage musical !Hero
as a modern day Mary Magdalene
aka "Maggie". St. James later lent her voice to the VeggieTales
episode An Easter Carol
as Hope the Music Box Angel. She also took part in a pop/rock VeggieTales
album titled Veggie Rocks!. She covered "The VeggieTales Theme Song" for the album.
After taking a hiatus from recording music, St. James returned to the studio
in early 2005 to record new songs. On October 24, 2005, the first single from the album, "Alive
", was released. The song managed to chart at No. 3 on R&R's CHR Chart and No. 13 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs Chart. 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. It charted at No. 14 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart, but failed to make the Billboard 200.
On July 1, 2005 St. James released a Teen Edition of her book, SHE and on October 1, 2005, she released another book titled Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything For God.
In early 2006, St. James embarked on her If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour with fellow Christian group BarlowGirl
. She 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. She also recorded a cover of Chris Tomlin
's song "Forever" for the album WOW Worship: Aqua. 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.
Aside from music, St. James made her major character film debut in Unidentified as Colleen in 2006.
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". The album charted at No. 43 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart. At the time of the album's release, it was announced that St. James has sold over 1.8 million albums to date.
which was released March 11, 2008. Another compilation titled Greatest Hits
was released later that year on October 28, 2008. On September 3, 2008 Rebecca released another book titled Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit.
In late 2008, St. James announced she would star as the lead role in a new film titled Sarah's Choice
, which was released November 17, 2009 to DVD. The film also features a song by St. James titled "Little One". The song was released almost two years later on September 2, 2011. The film received good reviews from Christian movie critics.
On April 16, 2009, St. James released a new song titled "You're Alive" to iTunes as part of an album titled Resurrection Worship: Songs of Hope. Then, in June 2009, St. James released another new song titled "Wish" to her MySpace page. Aside from music, St. James' book Loved: Stories of Forgiveness was released on September 1, 2009.
, which was released on October 22, 2010. On April 28, 2010, it was announced that St. James is working on another film titled Frontier Boys, and a book titled What Is He Thinking?, both to be released in 2011. It was also later announced that she will star in a film titled Suing the Devil, which will be released in August 2011. In late 2008, St. James announced she was filming a new movie with Stephen Baldwin
and Candace Cameron, titled Faith of Our Fathers (previously To the Wall), which will be released on August 19, 2011.
On October 19, 2010 Rebecca St. James released her version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem
" on the album The Essential Christmas Collection. On November 18, 2010, St. James announced that she had parted ways with ForeFront Records
and would be releasing a new worship album in April 2011 via Beach Street
/Reunion Records
. Her ninth studio album, I Will Praise You
, was released on April 5, 2011. It was preceded by the single "Shine Your Glory Down", which was released to Christian radio on February 11. The album was met with positive reviews from Chrisian music critics and was highly successful, debuting at No. 18 on Billboard
s Hot Christian Albums
chart and later peaking at No. 9. It also peaked at No. 153 on the Billboard 200
, her highest charting effort after Worship God. Her ninth book, What Is He Thinking?, hit shelves on September 26, 2011.
On June 16, 2011 it was announced that St. James will be starring in a new romantic comedy film titled A Strange Brand of Happy, to be released in 2013. The film revolves around a single Christian life coach Joyce who falls for an agnostic client.
The movie began filming on August 15, 2011 in Cincinnati.
, St. James currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee
.
On January 3, 2011 she announced her engagement to Jacob Fink who is the bassist of the band Foster the People
via her website, mailing list and social networking sites. Fink proposed on Christmas Day 2010 at St. James' family farm in Franklin
. The couple were married on April 23, 2011 at the Juniperro Serra Museum in San Diego, California
.
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006:
2008:
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
and released her major label debut
Rebecca St. James (album)
Rebecca St. James is the second album by Christian pop rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on January 24, 1994 by ForeFront Records. This is the only album by St...
a year later.
St. James rose to fame in the late 1990s with her RIAA certified Gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
albums God
God (album)
God is the third studio album by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on June 25, 1996 by ForeFront Records, and peaked at #200 on the Billboard 200. The title song was featured on WOW #1s: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits Ever. It was RIAA Certified Gold in 2005....
and Pray, the latter of which won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1999 for Best Rock Gospel Album. The albums spawned multiple singles including "God
God (Rebecca St. James song)
"God - The Single" is a 1996 single by Christian pop-rock singer Rebecca St. James. The song is from the album of the same name.-Track listing:# "God" – 4:08# "God" – 4:21# "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation" – 3:53# "Side By Side Remix" – 6:53...
", "Pray", and "Yes, I Believe In God". Since then she has established herself as one of the most prominent musical artists in CCM
CCM
- In music :* Contemporary Christian music, a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith** CCM Magazine, a magazine that covers Contemporary Christian music...
music with four additional full-length studio albums; Transform
Transform (Rebecca St. James album)
Transform is the sixth studio album by Christian pop and rock singer Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 24, 2000 and debuted at #166 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned two of St. James' biggest hits, "Wait for Me" and "Reborn"....
, Worship God
Worship God
Worship God is the seventh studio album by Rebecca St. James, released on February 26, 2002. It is her highest charting album to date, peaking at #94 on the Billboard 200. The album produced the hit singles "Song of Love" and "Breathe"....
, If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something
If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something
If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something is the eighth studio album from Rebecca St. James. This album features a rather significant style variation. Retreating from the Nichole Nordeman or Joy Williams style, St. James has taken on a more rock-driven anthem . However, even in the particularly...
, and I Will Praise You
I Will Praise You
I Will Praise You is the ninth studio album by Christian pop singer Rebecca St. James. The album was released on April 5, 2011 on Reunion/Beach Street/Essential Records. It was announced on January 3, 2011 via St. James' official Facebook page. The album was met with positive critical reception and...
. Staple songs such as "Wait for Me", "Reborn
Reborn (song)
"Reborn" is a single by Christian artist Rebecca St. James. It features an electronica dance beat and Christian lyrics, which describe how a person is "reborn" when the put their faith in Jesus.-Music video:...
", "Song of Love
Wait For Me/Song Of Love
"Wait For Me" and "Song of Love" were two singles from Christian pop rock musician Rebecca St. James. "Wait For Me" is perhaps one of St. James' most famous songs, encouraging sexual abstinence until marriage, from the 2000 album Transform...
", "I Thank You
I Thank You (song)
"I Thank You" is a song written by David Porter and Isaac Hayes originally recorded by Sam & Dave, released in early 1968. The single was Sam & Dave's final release on Stax Records, reaching #9 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #4 on the R&B chart...
", "Alive
Alive (Rebecca St. James song)
"Alive" is a single from Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. A pop song with rock elements, "Alive" was released as the lead single from her album If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something on October 4, 2005.-Background:...
", and "Shine Your Glory Down" have all been derived from these releases. Since the beginning of her career, St. James has sold a total of two million albums.
Outside of her musical career, St. James is an accomplished author and actress. To date, she has released nine published books and starred in five films, a musical stage show
!Hero
!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
, and a VeggieTales
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
episode. Her ninth book What Is He Thinking? was released on September 26, 2011, and she has starred in the films Unidentified
Unidentified
Unidentified is a 2006 science fiction Christian film produced by Rich Christiano and Alvin Mount. It was written and directed by Rich Christiano and stars Jonathan Aube, Josh Adamson, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Jenna Bailey, Lance Zitron, and the popular Christian pop rock musician Rebecca St. James,...
, Sarah's Choice
Sarah's Choice
Sarah's Choice is a 2009 Christian direct-to-video pro-life film directed by Chad Kapper. The film stars contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Rebecca St. James as the title character, along with Logan White and Dick Van Patten. Christian comedian Brad Stine also appears in the film, along with...
, Rising Stars
Rising Stars (film)
Rising Stars is a 2010 American teen musical drama film. The film was directed by Dan Millican. Rising Stars stars Kyle Riabko, Lauren Ashley Carter, Leon Thomas III, Fisher Stevens, Barry Corbin, and Rebecca St. James and follows three teen musical groups competing in a music video competition...
, The Frontier Boys
The Frontier Boys
The Frontier Boys is a 2011 independent action drama feature film written and directed by John Grooters, with appearances by Contemporary Christian music artist Rebecca St...
, and Suing the Devil. St. James is also an outspoken sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, philosophical or religious reasons.Common reasons for practicing sexual abstinence include:*poor health - medical celibacy...
and pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
advocate, as well as a spokesperson for Compassion International
Compassion International
Compassion International is a Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world. Compassion International, headquartered in Colorado Springs, functions in 26 countries such as Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, and...
.
Early life
Rebecca St. James was born Rebecca Jean Smallbone on July 26, 1977 in Sydney, Australia to parents David and Helen Smallbone. She attended Pacific Hills Christian SchoolPacific Hills Christian School
Pacific Hills Christian School is an independent, co-educational day school located in the suburb of Dural, in the Hills District of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
in Dural, New South Wales
Dural, New South Wales
Dural is a semi-rural suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dural is located 36 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government areas of Hornsby Shire and The Hills Shire. Dural is part of the Hills District, in Northern Sydney...
in the Hills District of Sydney
Hills District (Sydney)
Hills District or The Hills is a general term for the north-western suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Hills District is also referred to as The Sydney Hills and The Hills Shire...
.
Musical beginnings (1990-1995)
In 1990, at twelve years of age, she opened shows for CCM artist CarmanCarman (singer)
Carmelo Domenic Licciardello known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music artist and evangelist.-Biography:...
during his Australian tour. The following year she released an independent album titled Refresh My Heart in Australia, under the stage name of "Rebecca Jean". Soon after its release, her family moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where her father received a job offer. She signed with ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
, and took her stage name at the label's request. In 1994 she released her major label debut titled Rebecca St. James
Rebecca St. James (album)
Rebecca St. James is the second album by Christian pop rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on January 24, 1994 by ForeFront Records. This is the only album by St...
. She also released an EP titled Extended Play Remixes
Extended Play Remixes
Extended Play Remixes is an EP by Christian pop and rock singer/songwriter Rebecca St. James. It was released on July 20, 1995 and contains remixes of three of her songs from the album Rebecca St. James....
in 1995.
God and Pray (1996-1999)
On June 25, 1996, Rebecca St. James released her second major album GodGod (album)
God is the third studio album by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on June 25, 1996 by ForeFront Records, and peaked at #200 on the Billboard 200. The title song was featured on WOW #1s: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits Ever. It was RIAA Certified Gold in 2005....
, led by the title track
God (Rebecca St. James song)
"God - The Single" is a 1996 single by Christian pop-rock singer Rebecca St. James. The song is from the album of the same name.-Track listing:# "God" – 4:08# "God" – 4:21# "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation" – 3:53# "Side By Side Remix" – 6:53...
. The album took St. James' music in a new direction, focusing more on rock. It opened to positive reviews and debuted at 200, and peaked at 168 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. It also charted at No. 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 6 on Billboards Contemporary Christian chart. In 1997, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album
Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album was awarded from 1991 to 2011. From 1991 to 1993 it was awarded as Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album. In 2011 the category was known as Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album....
for God and in 2005 the album was RIAA
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
certified gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
for selling over 500,000 copies. To promote the album, St. James released a devotion book titled 40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey in 1996.
In 1997, St. James released the sequel to her devotional book, titled You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God
You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God
You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God - The Devotional Journey Continues is a book by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. It is the successor to the book 40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey. The title comes from the song "You're The Voice" from Rebecca's album, God.The book, like...
. On October 7 of the same year, she released her first holiday album, simply titled Christmas
Christmas (Rebecca St. James album)
Christmas is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album from Christian pop rock singer Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 7, 1997 through ForeFront Records...
. The album charted at No. 12 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart and No. 14 on the Top Contemporary Christian chart.
On October 20, 1998, St. James released her third studio album, Pray, which opened to mixed reviews. The album managed to chart at No. 168 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, and No. 5 on both the Heatseekers Chart and the Contemporary Christian Chart. The album won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Rock/Gospel Album, and in 2006 it was RIAA certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies.
In 1999, St. James released a song titled "Yes, I Believe In God" to radio only, in memory of the lives lost at the Columbine shooting
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
. The song was later released on the album Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James
Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James
Wait for Me: The Best from Rebecca St. James is the first compilation album by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James.-Track listing:#"I Thank You" ' – 3:45...
. 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". In addition to her own projects, St. James took part in a CD release titled Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship, which featured female Christian artists such as Nichole Nordeman
Nichole Nordeman
Nichole Ellyse Nordeman is an eight-time Dove Award-winning contemporary Christian American singer–songwriter.-Biography:Nordeman was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played the piano in church...
, Jennifer Knapp
Jennifer Knapp
Jennifer Lynn Knapp is an American-Australian folk rock, and formerly contemporary Christian musician. She is best known for her first single "Undo Me" from her debut album Kansas , and the song "A Little More" from her Grammy Award-nominated album Lay It Down . The Way I Am , was also nominated...
, herself and others. The album was released in November 1999 and features two songs by St. James; "As We Wait" and "River of Life".
Transform, Worship God and 10 Year Anniversary (2000–2004)
On October 24, 2000, St. James released a brand new album titled TransformTransform (Rebecca St. James album)
Transform is the sixth studio album by Christian pop and rock singer Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 24, 2000 and debuted at #166 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned two of St. James' biggest hits, "Wait for Me" and "Reborn"....
. The album charted at No. 166 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, No. 7 on the Heatseekers Chart and No. 14 on the Contemporary Christian Chart. The album garnered positive reviews and featured the songs "Wait For Me" and "Reborn
Reborn (song)
"Reborn" is a single by Christian artist Rebecca St. James. It features an electronica dance beat and Christian lyrics, which describe how a person is "reborn" when the put their faith in Jesus.-Music video:...
". Also in 2000, St. James made a cameo
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the film Left Behind: The Movie
Left Behind: The Movie
Left Behind is a Christian based film released in 2000 and starring Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Gordon Currie and Clarence Gilyard. It was directed by Vic Sarin. Left Behind was proclaimed by its creators as the biggest and most ambitious Christian film ever made...
. A year later, the devotional book
Bible study (Christian)
In Christianity, Bible study is the study of the Bible by ordinary people as a personal religious or spiritual practice. Some denominations may call this devotion or devotional acts; however in other denominations devotion has other meanings...
, 40 Days with God was re-released with a new layout and five new devotions.
In 2002, to promote the single "Wait For Me" from Transform, St. James released the book Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance
Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance
Wait For Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance is a 2002 book written by Christian pop and rock singer/songwriter Rebecca St. James. It was inspired by her popular song, "Wait For Me" which was also the title of her 2000 46-city concert tour. The book, like the song, is about the values...
, which went on to sell over 100,000 copies and spawn a journal
Journal
__FORCETOC__A journal has several related meanings:* a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary....
and study guide
Study guide
Study guides can be broad based to facilitate learning in a number of areas, or be resources that foster comprehension of literature, research topics, history, and other subjects....
. The song and book promotes sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, philosophical or religious reasons.Common reasons for practicing sexual abstinence include:*poor health - medical celibacy...
before marriage, and St. James has since become a major spokesperson for the subject.
On February 26, 2002, St. James released the album Worship God
Worship God
Worship God is the seventh studio album by Rebecca St. James, released on February 26, 2002. It is her highest charting album to date, peaking at #94 on the Billboard 200. The album produced the hit singles "Song of Love" and "Breathe"....
. The album opened to extremely positive reviews and charted at No. 94 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, marking St. James' first Top 100 album, and No. 5 on the Contemporary Christian chart. She released a DVD to promote the album November 19, 2002 that featured music videos, interviews, etc.
On March 25, 2003, celebrating 10 years signed to ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
, St. James released her first compilation project titled Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James
Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James
Wait for Me: The Best from Rebecca St. James is the first compilation album by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James.-Track listing:#"I Thank You" ' – 3:45...
which features 16 of her most popular songs and two new ones, including "I Thank You" which managed to peak at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. The album failed to make the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, but charted at No. 16 on the Contemporary Christian chart.
On February 24, 2004, St. James released her very first live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
titled Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name
Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name
Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name is the first live album from Christian pop and rock singer Rebecca St. James.-Track listing:# "Lamb of God" — 5:09# "Blessed Be Your Name" — 4:32# "Quiet You With My Love" — 4:06# "Let My Words Be Few" — 4:38...
which features 7 new songs and 2 studio recorded songs. The album charted at No. 187 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and No. 12 on the Top Christian Albums chart. Later that year, St. James released a compilation album titled The Best of Rebecca St. James
The Best of Rebecca St. James
Ten Best Series: The Best of Rebecca St. James is a compilation by Christian artist Rebecca St. James released on August 10, 2004.-Tracklist:# "I Thank You"# "Song of Love"# "Breathe"# "Reborn"# "Go & Sin No More"# "Yes, I Believe In God"# "Pray"...
, and her book SHE: Safe, Healthy, Empowered: The Woman You're Made to Be. Also in 2004, St. James starred in the stage musical !Hero
!Hero
!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
as a modern day Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
aka "Maggie". St. James later lent her voice to the VeggieTales
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
episode An Easter Carol
An Easter Carol
An Easter Carol is the twenty-first episode in the VeggieTales animated series, released in early 2004 on DVD and VHS format. It lacks a subtitle, but the lesson it conveys is to remind viewers of the Christian significance of Easter. It is longer than most episodes, running to approximately 49...
as Hope the Music Box Angel. She also took part in a pop/rock VeggieTales
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
album titled Veggie Rocks!. She covered "The VeggieTales Theme Song" for the album.
If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something, film debut, and aLIVE in Florida (2005–2007)
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
in early 2005 to record new songs. On October 24, 2005, the first single from the album, "Alive
Alive (Rebecca St. James song)
"Alive" is a single from Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. A pop song with rock elements, "Alive" was released as the lead single from her album If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something on October 4, 2005.-Background:...
", was released. The song managed to chart at No. 3 on R&R's CHR Chart and No. 13 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs Chart. 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. It charted at No. 14 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart, but failed to make the Billboard 200.
On July 1, 2005 St. James released a Teen Edition of her book, SHE and on October 1, 2005, she released another book titled Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything For God.
In early 2006, St. James embarked on her If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour with fellow Christian group BarlowGirl
BarlowGirl
BarlowGirl is an American Christian rock–CCM all-female band from Chicago, Illinois. The band is composed of sisters Alyssa , Rebecca , and Lauren Barlow . The band has won several awards in their genre; their song "Never Alone" was the longest running No...
. She also recorded the theme song for the National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day...
. The song was titled "America" and was released to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on May 2, 2006. She also recorded a cover of Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
's song "Forever" for the album WOW Worship: Aqua. 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.
Aside from music, St. James made her major character film debut in Unidentified as Colleen in 2006.
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
ALIVE in Florida
aLIVE in Florida is the second live album by Rebecca St. James. It was released on March 20, 2007 as a CD/DVD combination, and features live versions of fan favorites.- Track listing :# Intro# God Help Me# Lamb of God# Wait For Me...
. The album features 14 live songs and an exclusive remix of "You Are Loved". The album charted at No. 43 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart. At the time of the album's release, it was announced that St. James has sold over 1.8 million albums to date.
Film Career Launch, Musical Hiatus, and New Books (2008-2009)
In the midst of a musical hiatus, ForeFront Records put together a two-disc compilation album titled The Ultimate CollectionThe Ultimate Collection (Rebecca St. James album)
'The Ultimate Collection is a 2-disc compilation by Christian artist Rebecca St. James released on March 11, 2008.-Disc 1:#God Help Me#Reborn#God#Lion#Yes, I Believe In God#Go and Sin No More#I Thank You#Better Is One Day#Wait For Me...
which was released March 11, 2008. Another compilation titled Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Rebecca St. James album)
Greatest Hits is a compilation by Christian artist Rebecca St. James released on October 28, 2008.-Tracklist:# "God" - # "I Thank You" Greatest Hits is a compilation by Christian artist Rebecca St. James released on October 28, 2008.-Tracklist:# "God" (from God) - (4:10)# "I Thank You" Greatest...
was released later that year on October 28, 2008. On September 3, 2008 Rebecca released another book titled Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit.
In late 2008, St. James announced she would star as the lead role in a new film titled Sarah's Choice
Sarah's Choice
Sarah's Choice is a 2009 Christian direct-to-video pro-life film directed by Chad Kapper. The film stars contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Rebecca St. James as the title character, along with Logan White and Dick Van Patten. Christian comedian Brad Stine also appears in the film, along with...
, which was released November 17, 2009 to DVD. The film also features a song by St. James titled "Little One". The song was released almost two years later on September 2, 2011. The film received good reviews from Christian movie critics.
On April 16, 2009, St. James released a new song titled "You're Alive" to iTunes as part of an album titled Resurrection Worship: Songs of Hope. Then, in June 2009, St. James released another new song titled "Wish" to her MySpace page. Aside from music, St. James' book Loved: Stories of Forgiveness was released on September 1, 2009.
I Will Praise You, What Is He Thinking? and Film Career (2010-present)
On August 19 of 2009, Christian Cinema reported that St. James had wrapped up filming a new movie titled Rising StarsRising Stars (film)
Rising Stars is a 2010 American teen musical drama film. The film was directed by Dan Millican. Rising Stars stars Kyle Riabko, Lauren Ashley Carter, Leon Thomas III, Fisher Stevens, Barry Corbin, and Rebecca St. James and follows three teen musical groups competing in a music video competition...
, which was released on October 22, 2010. On April 28, 2010, it was announced that St. James is working on another film titled Frontier Boys, and a book titled What Is He Thinking?, both to be released in 2011. It was also later announced that she will star in a film titled Suing the Devil, which will be released in August 2011. In late 2008, St. James announced she was filming a new movie with Stephen Baldwin
Stephen Baldwin
Stephen Andrew Baldwin is an American actor, director, producer and author. One of the Baldwin brothers, he is known for his roles as William F. Cody in the western show The Young Riders and as Stuart in the movie Threesome...
and Candace Cameron, titled Faith of Our Fathers (previously To the Wall), which will be released on August 19, 2011.
On October 19, 2010 Rebecca St. James released her version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little Town of Bethlehem
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a popular Christmas carol. The text was written by Phillips Brooks , an Episcopal priest, Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia. He was inspired by visiting the Palestinian city of Bethlehem in 1865. Three years later, he wrote the poem for his...
" on the album The Essential Christmas Collection. On November 18, 2010, St. James announced that she had parted ways with ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
and would be releasing a new worship album in April 2011 via Beach Street
Beach Street Records
Beach Street Records is a part of Reunion Records under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 2003 by Mark Miller, lead singer of the country band Sawyer Brown....
/Reunion Records
Reunion Records
Reunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:...
. Her ninth studio album, I Will Praise You
I Will Praise You
I Will Praise You is the ninth studio album by Christian pop singer Rebecca St. James. The album was released on April 5, 2011 on Reunion/Beach Street/Essential Records. It was announced on January 3, 2011 via St. James' official Facebook page. The album was met with positive critical reception and...
, was released on April 5, 2011. It was preceded by the single "Shine Your Glory Down", which was released to Christian radio on February 11. The album was met with positive reviews from Chrisian music critics and was highly successful, debuting at No. 18 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Hot Christian Albums
Hot Christian Albums
Christian Albums is a Billboard chart of the best-selling Christian music albums of the week.-1980 number one Christian Albums:-1981 number one Christian Albums:-1982 number one Christian Albums:...
chart and later peaking at No. 9. It also peaked at No. 153 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, her highest charting effort after Worship God. Her ninth book, What Is He Thinking?, hit shelves on September 26, 2011.
On June 16, 2011 it was announced that St. James will be starring in a new romantic comedy film titled A Strange Brand of Happy, to be released in 2013. The film revolves around a single Christian life coach Joyce who falls for an agnostic client.
The movie began filming on August 15, 2011 in Cincinnati.
Personal life
Originally from AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, St. James currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
On January 3, 2011 she announced her engagement to Jacob Fink who is the bassist of the band Foster the People
Foster the People
Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The group is composed of Mark Foster , Mark Pontius , and Cubbie Fink...
via her website, mailing list and social networking sites. Fink proposed on Christmas Day 2010 at St. James' family farm in Franklin
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately south of downtown Nashville.-History:...
. The couple were married on April 23, 2011 at the Juniperro Serra Museum in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Awards
- 2000: Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rock Gospel Album – Pray - 2002: GMA Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year – Prayer of Jabez
- 2004: GMA Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year – !Hero!Hero (album)!Hero is an album featuring the songs from the rock opera, !Hero. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?" The rock opera modernizes Jesus' last two years on earth and features a cast of many well-known Christian artists with Michael Tait, Rebecca St...
- 2006: GMA Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year – Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Discography
- 1991: Refresh My Heart
- 1994: Rebecca St. JamesRebecca St. James (album)Rebecca St. James is the second album by Christian pop rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on January 24, 1994 by ForeFront Records. This is the only album by St...
- 1996: GodGod (album)God is the third studio album by Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on June 25, 1996 by ForeFront Records, and peaked at #200 on the Billboard 200. The title song was featured on WOW #1s: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits Ever. It was RIAA Certified Gold in 2005....
- 1997: ChristmasChristmas (Rebecca St. James album)Christmas is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album from Christian pop rock singer Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 7, 1997 through ForeFront Records...
- 1998: Pray
- 2000: TransformTransform (Rebecca St. James album)Transform is the sixth studio album by Christian pop and rock singer Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 24, 2000 and debuted at #166 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned two of St. James' biggest hits, "Wait for Me" and "Reborn"....
- 2002: Worship GodWorship GodWorship God is the seventh studio album by Rebecca St. James, released on February 26, 2002. It is her highest charting album to date, peaking at #94 on the Billboard 200. The album produced the hit singles "Song of Love" and "Breathe"....
- 2005: If I Had One Chance to Tell You SomethingIf I Had One Chance To Tell You SomethingIf I Had One Chance To Tell You Something is the eighth studio album from Rebecca St. James. This album features a rather significant style variation. Retreating from the Nichole Nordeman or Joy Williams style, St. James has taken on a more rock-driven anthem . However, even in the particularly...
- 2011: I Will Praise YouI Will Praise YouI Will Praise You is the ninth studio album by Christian pop singer Rebecca St. James. The album was released on April 5, 2011 on Reunion/Beach Street/Essential Records. It was announced on January 3, 2011 via St. James' official Facebook page. The album was met with positive critical reception and...
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Left Behind: The Movie Left Behind: The Movie Left Behind is a Christian based film released in 2000 and starring Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Gordon Currie and Clarence Gilyard. It was directed by Vic Sarin. Left Behind was proclaimed by its creators as the biggest and most ambitious Christian film ever made... |
Camera Coordinator for GNN |
| 2001 | The First Easter | Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses... (voice) |
| 2004 | An Easter Carol An Easter Carol An Easter Carol is the twenty-first episode in the VeggieTales animated series, released in early 2004 on DVD and VHS format. It lacks a subtitle, but the lesson it conveys is to remind viewers of the Christian significance of Easter. It is longer than most episodes, running to approximately 49... |
Hope, the Music Box Angel (voice) |
| 2004 | !Hero !Hero !HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books.... |
Maggie |
| 2006 | Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified is a 2006 science fiction Christian film produced by Rich Christiano and Alvin Mount. It was written and directed by Rich Christiano and stars Jonathan Aube, Josh Adamson, Michael Blain-Rozgay, Jenna Bailey, Lance Zitron, and the popular Christian pop rock musician Rebecca St. James,... |
Colleen |
| 2009 | Sarah's Choice Sarah's Choice Sarah's Choice is a 2009 Christian direct-to-video pro-life film directed by Chad Kapper. The film stars contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Rebecca St. James as the title character, along with Logan White and Dick Van Patten. Christian comedian Brad Stine also appears in the film, along with... |
Sarah Collins |
| 2010 | Rising Stars Rising Stars (film) Rising Stars is a 2010 American teen musical drama film. The film was directed by Dan Millican. Rising Stars stars Kyle Riabko, Lauren Ashley Carter, Leon Thomas III, Fisher Stevens, Barry Corbin, and Rebecca St. James and follows three teen musical groups competing in a music video competition... |
Kari |
| 2011 | The Frontier Boys The Frontier Boys The Frontier Boys is a 2011 independent action drama feature film written and directed by John Grooters, with appearances by Contemporary Christian music artist Rebecca St... |
Judy Bracken |
| 2011 | Suing the Devil Suing the Devil (2011 film) Suing the Devil is a 2010 Christian comedy thriller film which was released in 2011. It was written and directed by Tim Chey, and starring Malcom McDowell and Tom Sizemore.- Plot :A former janitor and law student sues Satan for $8 trillion... |
Jasmine Williams |
| 2012 | Faith of Our Fathers | Annie |
| 2013 | A Strange Brand of Happy | Joyce Heller |
Interviews
2002:- Rebecca Unplugged by Mark Moring (For Campus Life)
2003:
- Getting to Know Rebecca St. James (for Jesusfreakhideout)
2004:
- Singer, Author, Actress by Mark Moring (For Christian Music Today)
2005:
- Balancing Act by Camerin Courtney (For Christian Women Magazine)
- A Two Way Street w/ Evie Tornquist by Russ Breimeier (For Christian Music Today)
- Rebecca Gets Real by Andree Farias (For Christian Music Today)
- Always Faithful Interview by Perry Hicks (For GulfCoastNews.com)
2006:
- Tuning in to the Voice of God by Dena Ross (For Beliefnet)
2008:
- Rebecca St. James Goes Back to Work (for Jesusfreakhideout)