We all knew this day would come.Christian music has finally succeeded.
Bible-based lyrics and songs have finally penetrated the knight-like armor of teen-agers and sunk deep into their
spirits. Churches have become the site of revival and rebirth. God has returned to the lives of Generation Y.
And the person responsible for this divine direction is exactly whom we pictured.
Right?
Not exactly. The musician responsible for this spiritual transformation is not named "Hinn" or "Hagin." She's never
been to Hillsong or sung of hills, for that matter. Rather, she's an 18-year-old former cutter with a nose ring and a coffee dependence.
Tina Marie Williams is different. She is original. And because of that, she has done what so many musicians have
been unable to do: By coming to grips with herself, and discovering that God created each one of us to be special, she has made Christian music acceptable. She has made it real.
In short, Williams has changed the way Christian music is perceived by crafting fresh songs that are accessible to all
ages and, most importantly, relatable for teen-agers. By sharing her experiences and showing her grace, she has boldly proclaimed to an MTV generation that God loves, and that loving God is cool.
"I can do that because I am a teen-ager," Williams says. "I've been through all the 'teen-age-ry' things."
Those "things" included broken relationships, isolation and, ultimately, an addiction to self-mutilation. But, the truth
set Williams free, and faith has given her a new, and more joyful outlook on life.
"I'm proof that, even though I'm a teen-ager, faith doesn't have to be scary," she says. "It doesn't have to be something you put off until you're older."
Indeed, at a young age Williams has proven that wisdom is not just for the gray-haired. When on stage, she
unabashedly testifies of what God has done in her life, and promises the same for those who will believe.
"I think I just understand the struggles of people and the struggles of faith," she says. "I don't pretend that I know everything – and I let people know that that's OK."
With "Acceptable," Williams' debut full-length album, the West Seneca, N.Y., singer/songwriter and self-taught
guitarist has fulfilled both the spiritual and musical expectations placed upon her when she won the 2005 Kingdom
Bound Talent Search. Through 11 songs, she offers spiritual insight on seeking God, pokes fun at her home schooling, and takes a stab at KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."
On the title track, Williams sings "I'm too tired to close my eyes and I'm too preoccupied to clear out my mind/I'm just too busy with being alone."
She says the song reflects her inner desire to draw near to God while outwardly she "finds all kind of excuses not to."
The song "On My Knees" was written almost five years ago and discarded, thanks to some ribbing from her older
brother, Gary. Of course, it was said cooler sibling and his strumming aptitude that inspired Williams to pick the guitar back up after a layoff.
"On My Knees" resurfaced when Williams was in England on a mission trip and performed it for Pure For God Ministries. Friends there "told me to share it with everyone," she says.
"Home Schooled" is Williams' most requested song. On the tongue-in-cheek recounting of her educational
experiences, she sings, "To my mom I pledge my allegiance/I'm not sheltered but protected, as she likes to admit."
"I was up at 3 in the morning, and I wrote a song," Williams explains. "I wanted to be funky and cool (like Reliant K)."
With musical influences ranging from Led Zeppelin and The Who to Jack Johnson and Switchfoot, Williams says variety is key.
"My goal is to just not be bored with my music," she says with a laugh. "No two songs I've written have ever been written the same way."
Williams' album has won rave reviews from local music critics, while the singer herself has landed gigs this summer
at Buffalo's famed Tralf, and as part of the Kingdom Bound and "Let There Be Light" music festivals.
"I'm not completely confident that I know where I am musically, (but) this CD is exciting because I can see myself going in three or four different directions," Williams says.
Music aside, Williams is passionate about helping others. Having survived her own dangerous habit, and watching
family members struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, she recently joined "Teen Challenge," an in-house ministry for
men that uses the Word of God to break bondages. Williams has pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from her concerts to help the organization build a Buffalo-area facility for women.
– MAP
For more information, and for upcoming performances, visit Tina Marie Williams online at www.TinaMarieWilliams.com. Tina is also available to speak with churches and youth groups.
Joshua Maloni is the Entertainment Editor at Niagara Frontier Publications
Tina Williams