Crystal Clear (CD)

Years before offering her most anticipated recording to date--CRYSTAL CLEAR--to, literally, hundreds-of-thousands of eager fans, and before becoming a teenaged singing sensation with album sales over the three million mark, Jaci Velasquez seemed destined for musical renown.

It was clear long before her first million-selling recording, Heavenly Place, became the fastest-selling solo debut in the history of Christian music and before her first three recordings (Heavenly Place, Jaci Velasquez and Llegar a Ti) generated ten No. 1 radio hits, including the first ever for a Christian artist on Billboard's "Hot Latin Tracks" chart.

It was apparent long before she'd won four Dove Awards – for New Artist of the Year (1997), Song of the Year (“On My Knees,” 1998) and Female Vocalist of the Year (1999 & 2000) – and been nominated for a Grammy ("Best Latin Pop Performance") – and received the Premio Lo Nuestro award (“Best New Artist of the Year” 2000).

Jaci's talent began to emerge before she could talk or walk. She was just a baby in a crib when her parents realized she had rhythm as she snapped her fingers in time to the music they were playing in the other room. Then, they realized she could sing. In church one Sunday, the powerful voice belting out "Our God Reigns" turned out to be two-year-old Jaci's, emanating not from the choir loft but the nursery. She made her solo debut at age three; and, at nine, not even a mysterious hearing loss (from which she quickly recovered) could stand in the way of her destiny.

At age 14, Jaci's big break came when the Velasquez family band was performing in Houston. The pastor of an area church called Mike Atkins Management to let them know there was a "bright new talent" in Houston. Two years later Atkins became her manager; and, shortly thereafter, Jaci was signed to Myrrh Records. She now records for its sister label, Word Records.

By the time she was 16, Jaci had a hit CD, Heavenly Place, which debuted in the top 10 of SoundScan's Christian music chart in 1997 and spent 83 weeks on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Her sophomore release, 1998's Jaci Velasquez, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Christian Music Album Sales Chart and spent 16 consecutive weeks on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart. Every single from both of these discs went to the top of the AC airplay charts. Then, in 1999, to honor her grandparents and her Mexican/Spanish heritage, Jaci released her first Spanish-language project, Llegar a Ti, for Sony Discos; and, it too, became a hit, helping her reach a larger audience than ever before.

“Doors have been opened for me to bring the message of Christ to the Latin audience,” Jaci says, grateful that a new audience beyond the walls of the church embraced many of the same songs her Christian listeners drove to the top of sales and airplay charts.

But it is not only a Latin audience she wants to reach. She reaches out to young people of all races and backgrounds with a message of abstinency – that "True Love Waits," as the name of one organization she supports so aptly puts it. "Relationships come and go, but what matters most is your longstanding relationship with Christ," she tells concertgoers. It's a message that Jaci, a young single woman, puts into practice in her own life.

Now she's chalked up more accomplishments than could fill a high school yearbook; and the momentum continues. She recently completed her fourth album, CRYSTAL CLEAR, with a sound that merges energetic, emotional pop with Latin vibrancy, creating an album that is up, joyful and celebratory – an accurate reflection of who Jaci is.

Jaci Velasquez, whose latest album is Llegar a Ti on Myrrh Records, also appears on the Music of the Heart soundtrack.

Full Name: Jacquelyn Davite Velasquez

What you wish you were named: Isabella Catherina

Born where and when: Houston, TX 10/15/79 2:15 pm

Family Stats: Mom, dad, three brothers, two sisters and one dog

First Job: This is it

Pets: Dog--Dallas

Hidden Talent: I can bend my forefinger all the way back

Currently in the cd player: Alejandro Sanz

Most annoying habit: Talking too much

What was in your bag the last time you left Target: Black & white film

If you could swap lives with someone for one day, who would it be: Melanie Griffith (Because she's married to Antonio Banderas)

Worst Fear: Being jaded

Best way to make you laugh: Be funny

Thing you can't do to save your life: Make sense

Best gift ever received: My camera and darkroom equipment

Most memorable meeting: Billy Graham

First album you remember buying: U2, Joshua Tree

First Christian album: Amy Grant's Father's Eyes; I loved the song "Giggle"

Most Embarrassing Moment: Mother didn't remember that I liked this guy and she spilled the beans in front of both of us

Most incredible date: My first one

If a movie was made of your life, who should play you? Claire Danes

Best Dish You Can Prepare: Pizza from Argentina

Pet peeves: A messy bathroom

Cartoon character that reminds you of you: Pocahontas

Food you refuse to eat: None

If music wasn't your career, what do you think you'd be doing? Makeup, hair and clothes for other artists

Most memorable concert experience: When I fell down on stage

If you were an action hero, who would you be? Batman, in a feminine way

First car: '89 Honda Prelude

Dream car: '56 Chevy

What product would you definitely endorse if asked? My mom's salsa

Number of speeding tickets (honestly): 0

Phrase you most often overuse: "Anyways"

Collections: Hotel room keys

Worst trouble you got into as a child or teen: Sorry, I was a really good girl

Dream Duet: Me and Bonnie Raitt

Where you are right now: My house

Last video seen: You've Got Mail

Movie that makes you cry: Heidi

Future plans: Grow up ... eventually

Collections: Pencils and pens

Scar story: My lip is scarred and it happened when I was 8-months-old and was just learning how to walk. I was reaching for a table, missed and hit my lip on the corner.

Best Advice you've ever been given: "Less is more."

Number of Fan letters/emails answered monthly: A whole lot

VACATION SPOT: New York City
BOOKS: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:16
PIZZA: Cheese
FOOD: Anything my mom cooks
TV SHOW: My So Called Life
STORE: Armani Exchange
SPORTS TEAM: Dallas Cowboys
HOBBIES: Photography, rock climbing, shopping, driving my car
MOVIES: Pocahontas
COLOR: Blue
CD: Bonnie Raitt, Luck Of The Draw; Amy Grant, Lead Me On
ACTRESS: Claire Danes
ACTOR: Antonio Banderas
FLOWER: White tulips
DESSERT: Ice Cream
ICE CREAM FLAVOR: Chocolate Malted Crunch
PERFUME: Coco by Chanel
TOOTHPASTE: Colgate
LIPSTICK COLOR: Red
NAIL POLISH COLOR: Black

"I want it to be crystal clear to people that I am who Christ has made me to be, and I'm attempting to follow in His footsteps"- Jaci Velasquez

After five years of critical and popular acclaim, Jack Velasquez remains true to her heart in this, her fourth major release: “I try to let my records reflect who I am,” muses Jaci, “because I think songs are soundtracks for life; and life is very good.”

The lyrics Jaci sings are up front, candid and truthful – leaving no room for doubt as to the source of her joy. "I want it to be crystal clear to people that I am who Christ has made me to be, and I'm attempting to follow in His footsteps," she says.

In addition to producing her own vocals this time around, Jaci also penned two songs on CRYSTAL CLEAR: "You're Not There," in which she sings that God is present in her heart rather than distant in the universe; and the lively, Latin-influenced "Escuchame (Listen to Me)," in which Jaci's recollection of her mother's frequent admonitions not to make the same mistakes she did is punctuated musically by a surging horn section.

From the title cut, "Crystal Clear," in which she paints a portrait of falling in love with Jesus, to the straightforward "He's My Savior," Jaci reveals the source of her hope. Yet she never ceases to be amazed by a God who knows every detail of her life ("You Don't Miss A Thing") and loves her in spite of her imperfections ("Every Time I Fall").

The intricate duet "Come As You Are" (with well-known Latin singer Luis Fonzi) and the lushly-orchestrated pop ballad, "Imagine Me Without You," showcase Jaci's emotive vocals, the latter a stunning performance that could rival any pop diva's.

Perhaps it is "Center of Your Love" which best captures the theme of this album as well as the desire of Jaci's heart – "to be in the center of God's love, able to live and breathe and know Him every day and every second of my life." It's a life-giving relationship she wants for all of her listeners, reminding them in the soaring anthem, which concludes the project, that it’s "Just A Prayer Away."

"I'm not perfect, but I'm doing the best I can," she acknowledges. Crystal clear with her struggles as well as her faith, she's blossomed into a young woman who knows that her destiny is in God's hands – and as it unfolds, she'll be singing about it for years to come.

Words and Music by Jaci Velasquez and Mark Heimermann

You in the mirror
I’ve been spying on you
I see a girl, whose world
Is broken in two
I get the picture
That you grew up too fast
You’ve got your dreams, it seems
And more than you asked

Oo you’re fading
Oo you’re wearing thin
Oo you’re breaking

Chorus:
Escuchame – Let me save you some pain
Escuchame – I will show you the way
Mirame – You will be me someday
Baby don’t make the same mistakes…Escuchame

I’ve got a secret
That’ll carry you through
There is a God who loves
To look after you
Hey little sister
Don’t you worry no more
Just come with me, you see
I’ve been there before

Oo the heartbreaks
Oo the lessons learned
Oo I know what it takes

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
Words of wisdom
Can you hear them?

(Repeat Chorus)

© 2000 Word Music, Inc./Fun Attic Music/ASCAP

Words and Music by Matt Stanfield and Tiffany Arbuckle

When I’m a sparrow in winter, You are a seed I find
When I’m a heart with a splinter, Your blood keeps me alive
If I could call you a color, You’d be the deepest of blues
If I had my pleasure of anything, You’d be the one that I’d choose

Chorus:
Now it’s crystal clear I’m falling for You
Now that I can see the mystery’s revealed
Now I’m coming clean
I can feel my fears released
Now it’s crystal clear I’m falling for You

I’m soft like clay
Your hands they mold me
For You, I would run away
Just to hear You calling out my name

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
I’m broken and empty
Without You, I’m blinded
I need You,
I need You near me, I need You near me

(Repeat Chorus)

Please catch me, I’m falling for You…

© 2000 Word Music, Inc./Fun Attic Music/ASCAP

Words and Music by Jeremy Bose and Paul Evans

Chorus:
Everytime I fall a little bit harder
Everytime I fall a little bit farther
Everytime I fall
I fall right back into Your Arms

Everytime I try
To explain the reason why
I have let You down
I fall to the ground

What is it You see in me
That makes You believe
No matter how far I stray
I will still find the way

Just when I think I’m not strong enough
You reach out to me and You lift me up

(Repeat Chorus)

Time and time again
When I think I’ve reached the end
It’s Your voice I hear
That draws me near

I don’t know what makes You stay
When I act this way
No matter what we’ve been through
I can turn to You

Just when I think I’m not strong enough
You reach out to me and You lift me up

(Repeat Chorus)

You find the beauty in my imperfections
The guiding light in all my misdirection
And when I think You’ve finally given up
You fill my heart with unconditional love

Everytime I fall
I fall right back into Your Arms

(Repeat Chorus 4x)

© 2000 Word Music, Inc./Vandelay Publishing (Admin. by Word Music, Inc.)/Poopy Drawers Music/ASCAP

Words and Music by Jaci Velasquez and Mark Heimermann

Why do I think of You
Far beyond my reach
Why can’t I comprehend
The love You have for me
God of all the universe
Of earth and sky and sea
Your desire to own my heart
Is such a mystery

Chorus:
You’re not there
Way out there
Wandering in Your great unknown
You are here ever near
In my heart You’ve found a home
You are living
You are breathing
I can feel Your presence in me

All the prayers
To the saints
Every votive burned
But now I know
From within
Your loving voice is heard

You’ve sent Your Spirit
The promised One
To be with me forever

(Repeat Chorus)

You are living
You are breathing
You are loving
I am needing

© 2000 Word Music, Inc./Fun Attic Music/ASCAP

Words and Music by Chris Eaton and Brent Bourgeois

From the moment You opened my eyes
I have seen the world in a different light
From the dawn to the setting sun
I am overwhelmed
By all that You have done

Chorus:
Adore, Adore, Adore
Jesus I adore You, Yes I
Adore, Adore, Adore, Adore
Jesus I adore You
And I lay my life before You O Lord

There’s a union of two becoming one
Deep inside my heart
I know that I belong
You have given everything to me
The least that I can do
Is give it back to You

Bridge:
And all I am and ever will be
Is for You, Lord
And everything within me cries

Chorus:
Adore, Adore, Adore
Jesus I adore You, Yes I
Adore You
And I lay my life before You
Adore, Adore, Adore, Adore, Adore
Jesus I adore You

And I lay my life before You
I long to love and adore You
I lay my life before You, O Lord
I adore You

© 2000 Dayspring Music, Inc./SGO Music Publishing, Ltd. (Admin. by Dayspring Music, Inc.)/BMI/Wordspring Music, Inc./ADC Music (Admin. by Wordspring Music, Inc.)/SESAC

Words and Music by Chris Eaton and Paul Field

He’s the sunlight in my sky He is the moon that shines at night
He’s the rainbow over me, the river running to the sea
The music and the poetry, the beauty that my eyes can see
Still His love means so much more to me

Chorus:
He’s my Savior and everything within me wants to tell the world it’s true
He’s my Savior if you could open up your heart
You would know Him too

He’s the fire in my soul He melts my heart and makes me whole
He’s the air upon my breath the gentle touch of holiness
Just for me He gave His life and in that moment paid the price
For all I’ve ever done and that is why

Chorus:
He’s my Savior and everything within me wants to tell the world it’s true
He’s my Savior the moment that you open up your heart
You will know Him too

Bridge:
I can take you there but I can’t cross the line
It’s my deepest prayer that this will be your time

I will vow, yeah
I will vow, yeah

Just for me He gave His life and in that moment paid the price
For all I’ve ever done and that is why

Chorus:
He’s my Savior my best friend
He’s my Savior He’s my Savior, He saved me
He’s my Savior and everything within me wants to tell the world it’s true
He’s my Savior the moment that you open up your heart
You will know Him too

© 2000 Dayspring Music, Inc./SGO Music Publishing, Ltd. (Admin. by Dayspring Music, Inc.)/BMI/Meadowgreen Music Co. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)/SESAC

Words and Music by Mark Heimermann, Nick Gonzales, Javier Solis, Brad Ford and Shana Ford

You know my motives You know my heart
No matter what I’m doin’
You see my secrets
Right through the dark
Who do I think I’m foolin’?
You watch me runnin’
You let me hide
‘Cause You know where I’m goin’…to

Seeking me
Reaching me
Keeping me in Your care, Lord
I can’t escape it

1st Chorus:
You don’t miss a thing I do
You see every move I make
But You know everything I need
You don’t let a care get by You
You don’t miss a thing do You?

When my heart’s broken
You dry my tears
‘Cause You know what I’m feelin’
When I am frozen
You melt my fears
Your gentle love is healing
You feed my hunger
You quench my thirst
‘Cause You are my provider

Leading me
Teaching me
Keeping me in Your care, Lord
I can’t escape it

2nd Chorus:
You don’t miss a thing I do
You see every move I make
You know everything I need
You don’t let a care get by You
You hear every word I say
I will never go unnoticed
‘Cause You don’t miss a thing, do You?
(repeat)

You don’t miss a thing…No, no, no…

© 2000 Fun Attic Music/Vogon Poetry Music/ASCAP/Songs On The Forefront (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Group)/SESAC/Jax & Broder Music (Admin. by Fun Attic Music)/ASCAP

Words and Music by Rudy Perez and Mark Portmann

As long as stars shine down from heaven
And the rivers run into the sea
Till the end of time forever
You’re the only love I’ll need

In my life You’re all that matters
In my eyes the only truth I see
When my hopes and dreams have shattered
You’re the one that’s there for me

When I found You I was blessed
And I will never leave You, I need You

Chorus:
Imagine me without You
I’d be lost and so confused
I wouldn’t last a day, I’d be afraid
Without You there to see me through

Imagine me without You
Lord, You know it’s just impossible
Because of You, it’s all brand new
My life is now worthwhile
I can’t imagine me without You

When You caught me I was falling
You’re love lifted me back on my feet
It was like You heard me calling
And You rush to set me free

When I found You I was blessed
And I will never leave You, I need You

(Repeat Chorus)

© 2000 Rubet Music Publishing (admin. by Universal Musica Publishing, Inc.)/Marport Music, Inc./ASCAP

Music by Rudy Perez
Words by Rudy Perez
Loren Balman and Judith Volz

You are the reason
For blue in the sky
Yes, you are the reason why
Snow covers winter
And melts into Spring
And rivers meet the sea

God is here for you
And you were made for Him
He’ll give you more of everything
Cause He has always loved you
His promises are true, so true
If you

Chorus:
Come as you are
Don’t change a thing
Open your heart
He’ll walk right in
Come as you are
No alibis
His love for you
Will never die

There is a heaven
Open your eyes
And there you have no disguise
He’ll never leave you
No need to hide
He’s always by your side

If you just believe
There is a way you’ll see
It’s just one step to eternity
And He will always love you
This promise will be true, so true
If you

(Repeat Chorus)

© 2000 Rubet Music Publishing (admin. by Universal Musica Publishing, Inc.)/ASCAP/Word Music, Inc./Can’t Sleep At Night Music (Admin. by Word Music, Inc.)/Judith Volz Music Publishing Designee/ASCAP

Words and Music by Pete Stewart and Mark Heimermann

Tell me have you ever been
On the outside looking in
Well it’s cold and lonely place
Out from under heaven’s grace

Did you ever wonder why
Or did it ever make you cry
Tears of joy when you found out
What His love is all about

It’s the water that I need
It’s the air that my heart breathes
And I have come to realize
Love is keeping me alive

In the shelter of Your arms I’ve found
The center of Your love is where I’m free

Chorus:
And I just want to be in the center of Your love
Yeah that’s all I’m thinking of
Whoa I just want to know
How Your love is with me everywhere
Your love is with me everywhere I go
(Everywhere I go)

There is nothing I can see
That the world can offer me
What could possibly compare
To Your tender, loving care

You’re the only one I’ve found
Who can make my world go ‘round
‘Cause it’s only at Your side
Where there’s meaning in my life

All that’s in this world has let me down
But You are all that matters to me

(Repeat Chorus)

In the shelter of Your arms I’ve found
The center of Your love is where I’m free

(Repeat Chorus)

Chorus:
I just want to be in the center of Your love
Yeah that’s all I’m dreaming of
Whoa I just want to know
How Your love is with me everywhere
Your love is with me everywhere I go
(Everywhere I go)

© 2000 Songs From Deck Twenty Six (Admin. by EMIChristian Music Publishing/Fun Attic Music/ASCAP

Words and Music by Rudy Perez, Elizabeth Perez and Mark Portmann

Tears that fell like rain
Streamed down from my heart
Colors turned to gray
Emptiness led the way
Until I fell apart

You came to save
To show me that

Chorus:
You’re just a prayer away
No matter where I am
I know in my heart
You’re never too far
When I’m losing my way
You’re just a prayer away
My strength is in my faith
I’m never alone
I’m never afraid
Cause You’re just a prayer away

When I close my eyes
Lord, I call Your name
And the dark subsides
Nothing can take the place
Of the peace I find

You came to save me
To show me that

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
Whenever I need to find You
I just fall on my knees
In You I find the strength that I need
To live, to believe

Repeat Chorus)

© 2000 Rubet Music Publishing (admin. by Universal Musica Publishing, Inc.)/Adam Rhodes Music Publishing/Marport Music, Inc./ASCAP

DISCOGRAPHY
2000 - Crystal Clear
1999 - Llegar A Ti
1999 - Clips and Conversations (video)
1998 - Jaci Velasquez
1996 - Heavenly Place

SOUNDTRACKS
1999 - Songs from the Heart
1999 - Touched by An Angel — Christmas Jesus
1995 - Touched by An Angel

VIDEO HISTORY
2000 - De Creer En Ti
1999 - Llegar A Ti
1997 - God So Loved
1996 - Un Lugar Celestial
1996 - On My Knees

BOOK
1996 - Heavenly Place, Simon & Schuster

CHART HISTORY
Nine consecutive #1 AC Christian songs
Billboard #1 “Hot Latin ‘Tracks and “Latin Pop’ Charts: “Llegar a Ti”
“Llegar a Ti” was the only debut single from any new artist to hit the top of Billboard’s “I-lot Latin Tracks” chart in 1999 and made her the first Gospel artist to ever hold the top position on the chart.

Jaci Velasquez debuted at #1 On Billboard’s Christian Music Album Sales Chart, spending six weeks at #1

Jaci Velasquez charted at #54 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart

AWARDS/ACCOLADES
Latin RIAA Certified Platinum Record (250,000 units sold) - 2000 Llegar A Ti
RIAA Certified Gold Record (500,000 units sold) - 1999 Jaci Velasquez
RIAA Certified Gold Record (500,000 units sold) - 1998 Heavenly Place
2000 GRAMMY Award Nomination, Best Latin Pop Performance, Llegar a Ti
2000 Latin GRAMMY Award Nomination, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Llegar a Ti
2000 Billboard Latin Music Award Nomination - New Artist Of The Year
2000 Billboard Latin Music Award Nomination - Female Vocalist Of The Year
2000 Premio Lo Nuestro Award - New Artist Of The Year
2000 Premio La Nuestro Nomination - Female Vocalist Of The Year
2000 Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year
--Spanish Language Album of the Year
--Special Event Album of the Year, Streams (Word)
2000 Dove Award Nomination Special Event Album of the Year, Bridges: Songs of Unity & Purpose (Benson)
1999 Dove Award:Female Vocalist Of The Year
1999 Dove Nominations:Artist Of The Year
--Song Of The Year, God So Loved
--Special Event Album Of The Year, Touched By An Angel: The Album
--Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year, God So Loved
1998 Dove Award Song Of The Year, On My Knees
1998 Dove Award Nomination Female Vocalist Of The Year
1997 Dove Award New Artist Of The Year
1997 Dove Nominations Female Vocalist Of The Year
--Inspirational Song Of The Year, On My Knees
--Pop/Contemporary Album Of The Year, Heavenly Place
Billboard Music Video Award Nomination - 1998 for God So Loved
Billboard Music Video Award Nomination - 1997 for Un Lugar Celestial
Fourth Top Selling Teenage Female Artist in the United States - September 1998

KUDOS
First artist to represent the Nashville music community and the Gospel music industry in the “Best Latin Pop Performance” category of the GRAMMY Awards with her 2000 nomination.
Distinguished as the fastest-selling solo debut recording artist in the history of Christian music
First solo artist in the history of Christian music to reach gold status with debut album, prior to release of sophomore project
'God So Loved' first single to achieve #1 status on all of Christian Research Report's radio charts
Guest columnist for Campus Life Magazine
First three albums have sold over 2 million copies
(8/7/2000)