Ear 2 Ear: Newcomer Audrey Assad joins Lilith Fair

FT. WAYNE, IN -- "Her melodic sensibilities are infectious," says Jars of Clay's Charlie Lowell of rising new singer/songwriter Audrey Assad.

Assad's new CD, "The House You're Building," combines soothing sounds, whispering tones and hopeful lyrics. The recording raises Assad to the top of this summer's most compelling artists.

The revival of the Lilith Fair tour this summer magnifies the talents of female artists across the country. This year the tour includes Audrey Assad, who brings passion and amazing tone to the music of faith. Lilith Fair collects the best in female artists. Assad meets the standard of music set by the tour, but has a message that reveals her faith to the world.

She's already been working with some of worship music's elite. She collaborated with Chris Tomlin on "Winter Snow" and on her first hit, "For the Love of You."

Assad's music speaks to the little child in all of us, but her music specifically speaks of one little child that touched her heart. According to her website, Assad found out about a little girl in Phoenix named Katie McRae. Katie found out last year that the tremors in her right hand, which landed her in the ICU, stemmed from a massive brain tumor. It is Katie's story that inspired Assad's achingly beautiful "Little Light."

No matter the tumors emotionally or physically we all face, this song gives a "little light" into the darkness we are running from. She sings, "And Jesus bends to hear you breathe; His tender hands are holding you tonight. His heart is ravished when you look at Him, and oh, the endless mercy in His eyes; God is here, little light."

Assad's music will be quick to fill up on mp3 players of people looking for great songs with a lasting heart and head value. It takes a complex heart to find a way to convey the simplest of messages in music. Assad will be among those lasting artists because no matter where you are in hurting or healing, these songs can powerfully penetrate each layer in our lives.

Audrey Assad's debut CD, "The House You're Building," comes out Tuesday. Find out more at herMySpace page.

Ace McKay is morning show co-host at FM 88.3 in Ft. Wayne, Ind., the GMA/CMB 2009 Radio Station of the Year. E-mail at AceMckay@gmail.com. His and his wife's ministry is The Marriage Playbook.
Starting a faith-based band? Tell us about it -- kay.campbell@htimes.com.

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