BarlowGirl

Infobox musical artist
Name = BarlowGirl


Img_capt = BarlowGirl signing autographs. From left to right: Lauren, Alyssa, and Rebecca.
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Elgin, Illinois, United States
Genre = Christian rock, Contemporary Christian Music, Alternative rock, Rock music, Adult contemporary
Years_active = 2000–presentcite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/barlowgirl.asp|title=BarlowGirl|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|accessdate=2008-09-16]
Label = Fervent Records
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.barlowgirl.com/
Current_members = Alyssa Barlow
Becca Barlow
Lauren Barlow
Past_members =

BarlowGirl is an American Christian rock/CCM band from Elgin, Illinois. The band is comprised of sisters Alyssa Barlow (lead vocals, bass, keyboard), Becca Barlow (backing vocals, guitar), and Lauren Barlow (lead vocals, drums). The band has won several awards in their genre; their song "Never Alone" was the longest running #1 song in 2004 on Radio and Records Christian Hit Radio (CHR) and Christian Rock charts, [http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/barlowgirl/ Biography at YourMusicZone.com] , Retrieved July 16 2007] and was the "Song of the Year" on both charts. BarlowGirl became the best selling new Christian artist of 2004.

Their song "I Need You to Love Me" was released at the end of 2005. The single broke the record on Christian Radio & Retail Weekly's (CRW) Christian CHR chart by holding the #1 spot for 13 consecutive weeks. [http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?sectionID=30&ID=184] "BarlowGirl's 'I Need You To Love Me' Breaks Radio Record" June 19 2006 on 1Cubed.com] BarlowGirl was the second most played artist CHR artist of 2005 behind Sanctus Real. It was the most played song on Christian Hit Radio in 2006. [As played on the January 7 2007 Weekend 22 countdown] BarlowGirl was voted the January 2006 winner in Yahoo!'s Who's Next after viewers were shown the video for the song. BarlowGirl is also among the 12 artists selected to be a part of the Big Shiny Planet [UP] Bible Study that was recently released nationwide through LifeWay and Family Christian Stores. The three sisters were youth ambassadors for the National Day of Prayer in 2007.

History

Early years

The Barlow sisters' father, Vince Barlow, created youth CDs at his church, Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, the second largest church in the United States. He was hired to perform at events all over the United States. He brought his daughters as his backup band in the late 1990s. BarlowGirl began writing songs and performing them at his performances. The trio stopped touring with their father when Becca and Alyssa began college, but they did perform at his nearby concerts. The trio had written around ten songs by 2002. [http://music.yahoo.com/library/default.asp?i=310014&m=bio&add=& Biography at yahoo.com] , Retrieved March 24 2008]

The Barlow sisters were given a paid trip to the Gospel Music Association's Music in the Rockies seminar at Estes Park, Colorado, in mid-2002. The sisters were not informed that the seminar was a record industry event for unsigned artists, nor that it was a competition. They reached the finals of the event. Record companies became interested in the sisters after word of mouth spread about the seminar.

The group's name became famous before the group released their first CD. The group [Superchick|Superchic [k] included a song titled "Barlow Girls" on their initial release, Karaoke Superstars, as a tribute to the actual Barlow sisters and their stand for purity, and effectively introduced the sisters to the music world. [ [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/BarlowGirl.asp Review of self-titled debut CD] at "Jesus Freak Hideout"]

The sisters were signed to Fervent Records on October 14, 2003. [http://christianmusic.about.com/cs/artistprofiles/a/aapf_barlowgirl.htm Profile at christianmusic.about.com] ]

"BarlowGirl"

BarlowGirl released their first studio album "BarlowGirl" on February 24 2004. The album included the longest running number-one song in 2004 on R&R's CHR and CRW's Rock charts, "Never Alone" was named Song of the Year on each of these charts. The CD had sold over 250,000 units by April 2005, and featured the singles "Never Alone" and "Mirror". These number-one songs earned the trio four 2005 Gospel Music Association (GMA) awards (formerly the Dove Award) nominations, including the Best New Artist award, Best Rock Song, and Rock Album. The trio was the best-selling new Christian artist of 2004. BarlowGirl received a 2006 GMA award nomination for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year for "Mirror". "Never Alone" was also featured on the WOW Hits 2005 CD.

The CD also featured a hidden track titled "Image", which listeners could only find by loading the CD into their computers. To date, it's the only track where oldest sister and guitarist Becca sings a solo. She sings the middle part of each verse.

"Another Journal Entry"

Their second album, "Another Journal Entry", was released on September 27, 2005. The album debuted at number three on Soundscan's Christian album chart, and had reached eighty-five on Billboard's Top 200 Current Albums chart by October 10, 2005. The trio was nominated for three additional 2006 GMA awards - "Group of the Year", "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year", and "Rock Recorded Song of the Year" for "Let Go". The first single from the album, "Let Go"', was a free download of the week from iTunes. Their next single from the album, "I Need You to Love Me", quickly climbed to number one on the Weekend 22 countdown in April 2006. The single held on to the #1 position on the R&R Christian Hit Radio chart for 9 weeks, and the CRW Christian Hit Radio chart for a record 13 weeks. The single was the most played song of 2006 on Christian Hit Radio as played on the Weekend 22. [As played on the January 7, 2007 Weekend 22 countdown] The band filmed a music video for their hit song "Never Alone" for release on mainstream radio and music video television channels, but it did not chart on the mainstream charts.

The members of BarlowGirl were the youth ambassadors for the National Day of Prayer in 2007. They recorded the song "We Pray" (written by Clint Lagerberg and Otto Price) for the event, along with other artists such as Rebecca St. James.

"Another Journal Entry" was also released as "Another Journal Entry: Special Edition" which includes a radio mix of "Never Alone".

"Another Journal Entry: Expanded Edition"

BarlowGirl's second album was re-released in August 2006 as "". It features all 11 tracks from "Another Journal Entry" and five bonus tracks; three acoustic versions of previous songs ("On My Own", "I Need you to Love Me", "Porcelain Heart"), a radio edit version of "Never Alone" and one new song, "For The Beauty of the Earth", which was included on the soundtrack of the 2006 film "The Nativity Story"). Also included on the enhanced CD was their "Never Alone" music video. A "Fan Pack" was also released, with a bonus "More Than Music" book and sticker.

"How Can We Be Silent"

BarlowGirl again recorded with producer Otto Price for their third studio album "How Can We Be Silent". The album was released on July 24, 2007. "How Can We Be Silent" debuted at #1 on Billboard's Christian Chart, and #40 on Billboard's Top 200 albums. The CD was also released in a special edition format that comes with a DVD that features the music videos for their earlier hits "Never Alone" and "I Need You To Love Me", over 90 minutes of bonus footage, and personal interviews with the three band members. BarlowGirl partnered with longtime producer Otto Price.

The first single from the album, "Here's My Life", was released in June 2007. Their second single, "Million Voices", was released to rock radio a few weeks later. The third single, "I Believe In Love", was released on October 8, 2007.

Home for Christmas

BarlowGirl announced on their official online podcast that they were back in the studio recording a Christmas album set for release September 23rd, 2008. Fans were able to get an inside look at BarlowGirl in the studio through the podcasts.

Musical style

BarlowGirl is known as a Christian rock band. Their style includes three-part harmony mixed with rock guitars. Their songs range from ballads to guitar rock.

BarlowGirl's philosophy

The band has gained a following with their message from Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV) The band advocates waiting on God's timing concerning romantic relationships. They were quoted as saying, "We believe that God has one perfect man already chosen for us; therefore we have no need to worry ourselves in searching for him. When the time is right, we know God will bring us together. In the mean time, we are not hiding in a closet avoiding all males, we are still living our lives, just without the pressure of having to have a boyfriend." [Weekend 22 countdown, weekend of Sept. 24, 2006]

Discography

*"BarlowGirl" (2004)
*"Another Journal Entry" (2005)
*"How Can We Be Silent" (2007)
*"Home for Christmas" (2008)

ee also

*Becca Barlow
*Alyssa Barlow
*Lauren Barlow

References

External links

* [http://www.barlowgirl.com BarlowGirl's official website]
*MySpace|barlowgirl|BarlowGirl
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/barlowgirlmusic BarlowGirl Channel]