More Info on ZOEgirl

ZOEgirl are three young women who have something going on. Something major, memorable, and perfectly made for this moment in time. From punchy, irresistibly hooky pop to heart-rending ballads, ZOEgirl Alisa Girard, Kristin Swinford and Chrissy Conway have delivered one of the year's great albums, poised to explode from one end of the radio dial to the other.

But where some acts almost seem to treat lyrics as an afterthought, ZOEgirl, who wrote or co-wrote all of the album's 11 cuts, have as strong a sense of purpose about their message as they do the flair, fun and high energy with which they present it. We hope to deliver the same quality, production, and visuals as much as the teen-centered pop that is in the market, says Alisa, but for the sole purpose of bringing young people the message of encouragement and ultimately, salvation.

Of course, presenting the salvation of Christ is the ultimate message any Christian has to convey to the world, she adds. But for kids who may not understand that yet, or be ready for it, we can still present the idea and the image that it's OK to have values and morals. It can be perfectly cool to stand up for what you believe and not just copy whoever is around you.

The rousing, radio-ready anthem, I Believe, is a bold, straightforward statement of faith in God. We really wanted this album to say something, says Alisa, the song's writer. I Believe states very clearly who we are, and why we're doing what we're doing. These are hard times to be young, and especially for a Christian teenager. We've seen kids having guns pointed in their faces asking if they believe in God! We hope it's a song they can rally around and be encouraged by.

The driving, instantly unforgettable Anything Is Possible is another hit-in-the-making that's also close to the girls hearts. God is a God of love, and Christ is an ever-present friend, but God also does miracles, Kristin comments. People need to know, and be reminded, that He is a God who offers amazing things to those who believe.

The powerful and gorgeous ballad, Give Me One Reason, is both a showcase for ZOEgirl's rich vocal blend, and a very different take on the intersection of romantic and godly love. We consider this to be the most important song on the album, says Chrissy. We all wanted to write a song about abstinence, that would really hit home without coming across as preachy. It's the story of a young girl who's clinging to her boyfriend's affection, but realizes she has to give him up, because she's found the Lord and he can't accept that. Giving up something for God, especially a guy, is something almost any girl can relate to. God is more important than any person or possession. That can be hard, and heart-breaking, but He's worth it.

Alisa, Kristin and Chrissy, all in their early 20s, are accomplished singers, songwriters and dancers from diverse but very complementary backgrounds. Alisa was born and raised in Los Angeles in a Christian home, the daughter of Chuck Girard of Christian/rock pioneers, LoveSong. She spent her early youth, until she was 10, determined to become a world-class gymnast and investing a rigorous 30 hours a week toward that goal before her interests unalterably shifted to music and sharing her faith. Having already studied piano for some time, she began giving concerts as a teenager in California, as well as Arizona and as far north as Canada, all the while becoming deeply involved in inner-city outreach ministry. Both her loving heart and passion for ministry bore fruit when she moved to New York City for two years where she helped to run a church-founded urban youth center for two years.

Kristin came to know the Lord at a young age as she was also raised in a Christian home. As a teenager, Kristin attended a Christian Youth Crusade and it was there that she realized God's calling for her in the music ministry. After her first year of college studying classical voice, she moved to St. Louis to join a contemporary Christian singing group called Spirit Wing. There she had the opportunity to travel and work with the youth throughout Missouri and surrounding states. It was through that experience that she realized it was time to pursue her music ministry full time. God led her to Nashville in 1998 to study music at Belmont University where her sense of calling in music was solid, though her place in ZOEgirl was still a year from realization.

New Jersey native Chrissy Conway was a musically gifted child singing, dancing and performing since she was two. By her teens, Chrissy was in a group signed to a major recording contract out of Atlanta, only to become disillusioned when that group folded, leaving her questioning the purpose and future of her lifetime spent in music. The expectation of an appearance by R&B/pop stars, En Vogue, led her to a youth crusade led by evangelist Greg Lorie, where she was startled to find the message of grace, forgiveness and salvation far more impactive than the concert she'd expected. Committing her own life to Christ that night, Chrissy surrendered her musical endeavors to His will and intentions.

The genesis of ZOEgirl came in early 1999, when Sparrow Records President, Peter York, and renowned artist manager, Norman Miller both friends of the Girard family began to consider Alisa as a perfect candidate for a three-woman group they had been interested in assembling for some time. She accepted the offer they soon made her, and agreed to meet with Kristin, whom Miller had heard of and wanted as the second group member.

The minute I met Alisa, I felt like I'd known her for my whole life, Kristin says. We just had an instant chemistry that I knew could only be confirmation from God. We couldn't wait to start writing and working together.

Two months passed as the search for the artist who would complete ZOEgirl continued, when one day a musician friend of Kristin's told her of a great singer he knew in New Jersey. The singer was Chrissy. It was amazing how it all came about, says Chrissy. I received the phone call from Kristin about the group the day after I prayed to God for a direction in my life. He couldn't have made my direction any clearer. With a divine harmony similar to that which Alisa and Kristin had felt upon their meeting, Chrissy was clearly the person ZOEgirl had awaited. As the threesome began writing together on what would become their new album, they knew they were indeed kindred spirits.

As ZOEgirl embarks on what promises to be a long and exciting journey, the girls' compass and course are clearly set. We want to give kids music that's fun, and that's really going to grab their attention, Alisa concludes, but also show them who this person Jesus is, and let them know they can and should be proud to be associated with Him.