Rebecca St. James

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Rebecca St. James
RebeccaStJamesApril2007.jpg
St. James in 2007
Background information
Birth name Rebecca Jean Smallbone
Also known as Rebecca Jean
Born (1977-07-26) 26 July 1977 (age 47)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Christian pop, Christian rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, author, actress
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1987–present[1]
Labels DTS, ForeFront, Beach Street/Reunion[2]
Associated acts For King & Country
Website www.rsjames.net

Rebecca Jean Fink (née Smallbone; born 26 July 1977), known professionally as Rebecca Jean or Rebecca St. James is an Australian Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actress. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. She was signed to ForeFront Records in 1993 and released her major label debut the following year.

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 2000 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 Contemporary Christian music (CCM), 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. She has sold two million albums since starting her career.[3]

St. James is also 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 ("An Easter Carol"). Her ninth book, What Is He Thinking?, was released on 26 September 2011. She has starred in the films Unidentified, Sarah's Choice, Rising Stars, The Frontier Boys, Suing the Devil, A Strange Brand of Happy, and Faith of Our Fathers. She is also an outspoken sexual abstinence and pro-life advocate, a spokesperson for Compassion International, the sister of Joel and Luke Smallbone, who comprise the band for King & Country, and the wife of Foster the People's former bassist Jacob "Cubbie" Fink.[4][5][6]

Early life

Rebecca St. James was born Rebecca Jean Smallbone on 26 July 1977 in Sydney, Australia to parents David and Helen Smallbone.[1]

Career

Musical beginnings (1990–1995)

In 1990, at twelve years of age, St. James opened shows for CCM artist Carman during his Australian tour. The following year she released an independent album, Refresh My Heart, in Australia under the stage name "Rebecca Jean".[7][8] Soon after its release, her family moved to the United States where her father received a job offer.[7] 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.[9] She also released an EP titled Rebecca St. James: Extended Play Remixes in 1995.[10]

God and Pray (1996–1999)

On 25 June 1996, St. James released her second major album God, led by the title track. The album took her music in a new direction, focusing more on rock. It debuted to positive reviews [11] and debuted at 200, and peaked at 168 on the Billboard 200.[12] It also charted at No. 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 6 on Billboard's Contemporary Christian chart.[11] 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.[13] To promote the album, St. James released a devotion book titled 40 Days with God: A Devotional Journey in 1996.[14]

In 1997, St. James released the sequel to her devotional book, titled You're the Voice: 40 More Days with God.[15] On 7 October 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.[16]

On 20 October 1998 St. James released her third studio album, Pray, which debuted to mixed reviews.[17][18] 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.[17] The album won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Rock/Gospel Album,[17] and in 2006 it was RIAA certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies.[13]

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.[19] Also in 1999, St. James released a video on VHS titled No Secrets featuring interviews of her and her family, behind-the-scenes footage and the music video for the song "Pray".[20] 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 and Jennifer Knapp. The album was released in November 1999 and features two songs by St. James; "As We Wait" and "River of Life".[21]

Transform, Worship God and Wait for Me: The Best from Rebecca St. James (2000–2004)

On 24 October 2000, St. James 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.[22] The album garnered positive reviews [22][23] 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.[24]

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,[25] which went on to sell over 100,000 copies and spawn a journal [26] and study guide.[27] The song and book promotes sexual abstinence before marriage, and St. James has since become a major spokesperson for the subject.

On 26 February 2002, St. James released the album Worship God. The album debuted to extremely positive reviews [28][29] and charted at No. 94 on the Billboard 200, marking St. James' first Top 100 album, and No. 5 on the Contemporary Christian chart.[29] She released a DVD to promote the album 19 November 2002 that featured music videos, interviews, etc.[30]

On 25 March 2003, after 10 years with ForeFront Records, St. James released her first compilation project, Wait for Me: The Best from Rebecca St. James, which features 16 of her most popular songs and two new ones,[31] including "I Thank You" which managed to peak at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart.[32] The album failed to make the Billboard 200, but charted at No. 16 on the Contemporary Christian chart.[31]

On 24 February 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.[33] 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.[34] Also in 2004, St. James starred in the stage musical !Hero as a modern day Mary Magdalene aka "Maggie".[35] St. James later lent her voice to the VeggieTales episode An Easter Carol as Hope the Music Box Angel.[20] She also took part in a pop/rock VeggieTales album titled Veggie Rocks!. She covered "The VeggieTales Theme Song" for the album.[36]

If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something, film debut, and aLIVE in Florida (2005–2007)

File:RebeccaStJames.JPG
Rebecca St. James performing at the Higher Ground Music Festival in August 2005

After taking a hiatus from recording music, St. James returned to the studio in early 2005 to record new songs. On 24 October 2005, the first single from the album, "Alive", was released.[37] The song managed to chart at No. 3 on R&R's CHR Chart [3] and No. 13 on Billboards Hot Christian Songs Chart.[38] The new album, titled If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released on 22 November 2005. The album debuted to fairly positive reviews.[39][40] It charted at No. 14 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart, but failed to make the Billboard 200.[40]

On 1 July 2005 St. James released a Teen Edition of her book, SHE [41] and on 1 October 2005, she released another book titled Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything For God.[42]

In early 2006, St. James embarked on her If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour with fellow Christian group BarlowGirl.[43] She also recorded the theme song for the National Day of Prayer. The song was titled "America" and was released to iTunes on 2 May 2006.[44] She also recorded a cover of Chris Tomlin's song "Forever" for the album WOW Worship: Aqua.[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] Aside from music, St. James made her major character film debut in Unidentified as Colleen in 2006.[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 20 March titled aLIVE in Florida. The album features 14 live songs and an exclusive remix of "You Are Loved".[48] The album charted at No. 43 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart.[48] At the time of the album's release, it was announced that St. James has sold over 1.8 million albums to date.[3]

Musical hiatus and film career launch (2008–2010)

In the midst of a musical hiatus, ForeFront Records put together a two-disc compilation album titled The Ultimate Collection which was released 11 March 2008.[49] Another compilation titled Greatest Hits was released later that year on 28 October 2008.[50] On 3 September 2008 St. James released another book titled Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit.[51]

In late 2008, St. James announced she would star as the lead role in a new film titled Sarah's Choice, which was released 17 November 2009 to DVD.[52] The film also features a song by St. James titled "Little One".[53] The song was released almost two years later on 2 September 2011.[54] The film received good reviews from Christian movie critics.[55][56]

Although on musical hiatus, on 16 April 2009 St. James released a new song titled "You're Alive" to iTunes[57] as part of an album titled Resurrection Worship: Songs of Hope. Then, in June 2009, she released another new song titled "Wish" to her MySpace page.[58] Aside from these brief musical endeavors, St. James' book Loved: Stories of Forgiveness was released on 1 September 2009.[59]

On 19 August 2009, Christian Cinema reported that St. James had wrapped up filming a new movie titled Rising Stars, which was released on 22 October 2010.[60] On 28 April 2010, it was announced that St. James is working on another film titled Frontier Boys,[61] and a book titled What Is He Thinking?, both to be released in 2011.[needs update][62] It was also later announced that she will star in a film titled Suing the Devil,[63] which was released in August 2011.[needs update]

I Will Praise You and film career (2011–2012)

On 19 October 2010 St. James released her version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" on the album The Essential Christmas Collection.[64] On 18 November 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 5 April 2011. It was preceded by the single "Shine Your Glory Down", which was released to Christian radio on 11 February. The album was met with positive reviews from Christian 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.[65] Her ninth book, What Is He Thinking?, hit shelves on 26 September 2011.[66][67]

On 16 June 2011 it was announced that St. James would be starring in a new romantic comedy film titled A Strange Brand of Happy, which was released on 13 September 2013. The film revolves around a single Christian life coach Joyce who falls for an agnostic client. The movie began filming on 15 August 2011 in Cincinnati,[68] and was released on 13 September 2013.

First novel and music retirement (2013-present)

On 12 March 2013 St. James announced via her Facebook page that she is currently publishing her first Christian novel titled The Merciful Scar, co-authored with Nancy Rue.[69] It will be released on 10 September 2013. She also narrated the documentary Mother India: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan, which was released on 23 April 2013.[70]

ForeFront Records released a new compilation album on 7 January 2014 titled Icon (titled Best of Rebecca St. James in the iTunes store).[71] Her second novel, Sarah's Choice, an adaptation of the 2009 film of the same name in which St. James starred, was released on 27 May 2014, while her third novel, One Last Thing, is due on 10 March 2015. Both books are co-authored by Nancy Rue.[72]

Faith of Our Fathers, released in July 2015, features St. James portraying a car-stealing Australian hitchhiker.[73]

Personal life

Originally from Australia, St. James moved with her family to the United States at age 14. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.[74] Two of her brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone, form the band For King & Country.[75]

On 3 January 2011 she announced her engagement to Foster the People's former bassist Jacob "Cubbie" Fink, a Colorado native and a missionary to South Africa.[76] Fink proposed on Christmas Day 2010 at St. James' family's farm in Franklin.[66][77][78] They married on 23 April 2011 at the Junípero Serra Museum in San Diego, California.[79] On 4 October 2013, St. James announced that they were expecting their first child[80] and on 18 February 2014, she gave birth to their daughter Gemma Elena Fink.[81][82]

Awards

Discography

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Main article: Rebecca St. James discography

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
2002/2008 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 ISBN 0785263969, ISBN 978-0785263968
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 ISBN 1418501956, ISBN 978-1418501952
Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God ISBN 0-446-69560-2
2008 Pure ISBN 0-446-50041-0, ISBN 978-0-446-50041-8
2009 Loved: Stories of Forgiveness ISBN 978-0-446-19701-4
2011 What Is He Thinking? ISBN 0-446-57267-5, ISBN 978-0-446-57267-5
2013 The Merciful Scar, co-authored with Nancy Rue[84] ISBN 1401689221, ISBN 978-1401689223
2014 Sarah's Choice, co-authored with Nancy Rue ISBN 1401689248, ISBN 978-1401689247
2015 One Last Thing, co-authored with Nancy Rue ISBN 9781401689261, ISBN 9781401689261

Filmography

Year Title Role
2000 Left Behind: The Movie Camera Coordinator for GNN
2001 The First Easter Mary Magdalene (voice)
2004 An Easter Carol Hope, the Music Box Angel (voice)
2004 !Hero Maggie
2006 Unidentified Colleen
2009 Sarah's Choice Sarah Collins
2010 Rising Stars Kari
2011 The Frontier Boys[85] Judy Bracken
2011 Suing the Devil Jasmine Williams
2013 Mother India: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan[86] Narrator
2013 A Strange Brand of Happy Joyce Heller
2015 Faith of Our Fathers Annie

Interviews

2003:

2004:

2005:

2006:

2008:

References

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External links

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