Karen Carpenter, Patsy Cline, : ) Amy Grant, Jaci Velasquez, Tammy Trent, Nichole Nordeman, Ginny Owens, Avalon, Watermark (Oh, to have a voice like Christy Knockles!), Natalie Grant, Sara Groves, Faith Hill (Beautiful voice!!!), Switchfoot, and sooo many others!!!
Sounds Like
My sound has been described as the breathiness of Amy Grant, the softness of Ginny Owens intersecting with the depth of Karen Carpenter, and a bit of a Carole King edge thrown in at times. I've even been told that sometimes I remind people of Olivia Newton-John!!!
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Click Here to purchase Where You Found Me on iTUNES!.
I just
completed my first album, "Where You Found Me: Songs of Redemption & Grace," in
July of 2007. The day I received it back from duplication I was filled with
mixed emotions. I was so excited, and at the same time I felt as though I'd just
had a baby! That may sound ridiculous, but it's true! I just wanted to sit back
and say, "Whew...Lord, we did it! It's finished!" Yet I know that my journey is
far from finished. I have a long way to go. I have a story to tell...my story.
I grew up in a very small east Texas town. I've been singing since the age of
four, and I've pretty much done it all...from everything in high school (choir,
musicals...I even sang at my prom!) to community theater, to just about every
wedding in town. I had BIG dreams of being a BIG star! But as I grew older,
reality quickly set in. I gave up those dreams and I settled for an education
and a family. I became a school teacher and a mommy. Life went on, and it became
about ME.
I also grew up a "PK" (that's code for preacher's kid) and I've been a Christian
since I was 12. I accepted Him as my Savior and was baptized. But to be
completely honest, I didn't have a clue what being a Christian truly meant. I
went on with my life, the "faux Christian" that I was, but it is clear to me now
that I never embraced that relationship and never allowed any roots to
establish. In this last two years I have had to go into the "pit" and it was
there that Jesus met me. Through my sin, I was forced to my knees and have been
found in that place by a Lord whose love and grace mean everything to me. I can
now claim and proclaim Christ as my Lord. I now have been blessed with the
opportunity to share my gift, and more importantly a message of hope. I have
always done things previously for selfish gain, and now I simply want to take
this album and its message and let it be heard just for God's glory. I am eager
to see what He will do with it.
In January, I heard God (for the first time) speaking directly into my heart. I
heard him because I finally opened my heart and listened. I asked Him what He
wanted me to do. I heard him telling me to use my spiritual gift, and to use it
for His glory. I have to be honest and say that I sort of felt like Noah! Where
on earth do you begin? I'd long since given up on a career in music. I prayed
for guidance, and He told me to use my experiences as a testimony of hope for
others out there, who were just like the old me..."Sunday Morning Christians,"
who are living a life devoid of an authentic relationship with their Savior. My
message and my testimony will touch these people, and hopefully stir their
hearts to want to "wake up." As I personally know, complacency leads to weakness
and weakness to sin. I know because I've been there. Because of Christ, I came
through.
I am so grateful for His love, and the sacrifice that He made. The Bible has
come alive for me now. The stories that I heard as a child aren't just stories
anymore. I AM the woman at the well...I AM the woman, lying in the dust, waiting
to be stoned. The songs that I've written come from this place. They're original
and truly inspired by the story of my own life. I know now that no matter what
I've done, God will NEVER leave me. I am His child. I am forgiven.
This has been a very emotional journey. I've prayed for God's will to be done.
This is not about me. It's about spreading the good news of God's love and
grace...and what He can do in a person's life if only you will let Him. All I
want to do is His will, and give Him the glory and praise each step of the way.
I wouldn't have made it this far without His guiding hand.
And so here I am. Jennifer Austin. Renewed Christian. Servant of God. Just a
vessel. I never dreamed I'd be doing this today. I'm not looking to become rich
or famous. I just want to help spread the message. I want to offer hope to the
hurting...to show the world that there's a better way...that we can't make it on
our own. I know because I tried...for so many years. I tried and failed
miserably. But God took me back, and now I'm letting Him lead the way.
hey Jenn... i was thinking about u today.. we are having another W.O.W. retreat Feb. 28th at the same camp site here in palestine.. i have missed you! we need to get together and do lunch!! I hope you are having a blessed New Year and great luck with your music.... Love ya!!
Great tunes, loved your vocals, keep up the great work! Thanks for the Add & check out my tunes when you get a chance. Please let your friends know both my worship rock CD's are for sale now on my site! These were co-produced by Ron Davis the engineer on the Grammy/Dove award winning CD “Shout to the Lord!” I've also got some FREE DOWNLOADS, God Bless!
Hi Jenn. I sure hope things are going good with you. Haven't heard from you in a while. I know I'm considered the Palestinian Devil to Cat's family and friends but you live in Tyler. LOL!!!! I'm just kidding. Really I hope things are completely good in your life. God Bless you girl and your family and ministry.
hello mrs. jen. my name is skippy> you have nice musics.i have been wondered who is your band, youre not having listed one here. thank you -have a day thats nice ;)
hey Jen,. I was thinking of you.. haven't talked to ya in a while.. allyson is 3 today and I thought wow its been a year ago today we went to your CD release party in Tyler..!! hard to believe.. just wanted to say I love you and hopefully I can get over there soon and have lunch w/ ya.. take care!!
Hey girlie! Just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you! My niece got married on Sunday and at the reception they played a Patsy Cline song! Everytime I hear her voice I always think of you!! haha I hope that you and your family are all doing well!!
Hi Jennifer. I was just thinking about you. Told Phil last night the next time he sees you to tell you "hello". Well, I hope you are being blessed. We will be having a BBB meeting probably July 26th, if you are still interested in being part of the ministry. Let me know, ok?
Hey you. It was good talking with you yesterday. Sorry the news wasn't so good that I gave you. They need prayer big time. As far as your band, let God have control always. You know that. He'll bring the right people in your band that need to be there. God Bless you and bring you peace too. Thanks for saying hi.
Hey Jen, Trying to find you! Your cell isn't working. Audre is calling out for princess C-Bear. Way past overdue. Let's hook up,...what is the momentum award? Shan
Hi Jennifer! So fill me in on what's going on with you and your ministry. I enjoyed our conversation a couple of weeks ago. I know God has a plan for you. So do you. Just stay in his sight so he can guide you. I didn't at one time and it cost me a lot. I am now and he's opening doors like I never thought before could happen. God bless you, your family, and your ministry. Stay in touch ok. You never know what God has in store for either of us. Cya later!
Jennifer, you did an awesome job at the BBB retreat. I knew you would! God really moved and wasn't there such a sweet spirit there? Anyway, thanks for being willing to be vulnerable. Women are still talking about it.
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