Although this artist is technically classified as a "mainstream" or "secular" artist, CMCentral.com has chosen to cover some aspects of their career because they claim to be Christians and their lifestyles seem to reflect a belief in Christ. We strongly hold to the conviction that "Christian Music" is not something that should belong to or be separated away into its own subculture. Christian Music should be another tool used by believers to fulfill the Great Commission, through the creation of great art.

With top ten records overseas, teen sensation Kaci is ready to make her mark in the United States. Her debut album, "I'm Not Anybody's Girl" on Curb Records will be released in the U.S. on July 16, 2002.

In the United Kingdom, Kaci's debut single, Paradise soared to certified gold and was a top-five requested video on MTV. Following this release, she reached number 10 on the UK charts with her cover of the Partridge Family's hit, I Think I Love You. Both Paradise and I Think I Love You have hit the charts in the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and in France. In addition to the European countries, she is making an impact on the Canadian charts as well. As she climbs the charts, she has been touring both Europe and the United States with O-Town and has opened for the Backstreet Boys.

In the U.S., Paradise has won two Nick Video Picks of the Day, besting records by J. Lo and Li'l Bo Wow. In 2001 Kaci was nominated for The Disney Channel Kids Award as "New Chart Shocker." Since then, she has been making crowd pleasing appearances at the 2001 pre-game Super Bowl show, The Hollywood Reporter's Fifth Annual Young Stars Awards, Seventeen Magazine's Teen Choice Awards and Nickelodeon's "Slimetime Live" (which Kaci hosted), and performing January 2002 at ESPN's Outback Bowl half-time show, Kaci is poised to make an even bigger mark in the U.S. for 2002. Currently, with her new U.S. single Just An Old Boyfriend, the excitement grows.

Kaci, who was born in Clearwater, Florida and now lives in Seminole, Florida has blossomed into a phenomenal performer. "She started singing at three," her mother, Donna recalls. "Her first songs were Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid. Her dad would take Kaci to restaurants where she would sing with the karaoke machine." In kindergarten, Kaci, an only child, continued her love of singing and performing. Her voice had a distinctive vibrato but her family could not find a singing teacher who would instruct such a young (albeit gifted) pupil. At eight, Kaci received her first formal voice lessons and she soon joined a singing group of young girls who appeared at various events around the local Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Kaci soon did solo performances, including singing the National anthem, for the Governor of Florida and the New York Yankees. She mastered other styles of music, including jazz, country, Broadway, and pop. She loves the Broadway classics such as Over the Rainbow and Zing Went the Strings of My Heart.

At nine, Kaci recorded a Christmas album for her family and friends and at 10 she recorded a CD, A Thousand Stars, produced by her mother. Singer/songwriter, Bobby Goldsboro gave her five songs for that CD and a portion of the proceeds from the sales of A Thousand Stars went to a local housing project for the homeless. At the same time, Kaci pursued an acting career and appeared in a movie for home video, "Camp Tanglefoot." She subsequently met Mike Curb, who was impressed with her talent and signed her to his label. Kaci cites a number of diverse musical influences, including Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, and Judy Garland. "I have 13 Judy Garland CDs and eight of her movies on video," Kaci says. "Judy Garland puts all of her feelings into her songs. She's mesmerizing."

Kaci's debut album is definitely a new flavor that will add to the excitement of the teen pop movement. "The people who are listening are teenagers," she says. "They like hearing people their own age, people they can relate to." As for her future ambitions, Kaci wants to do it all. "I want to make records, make movies and be on the cover of magazines," she says. With her drive and talent, she can certainly go "Over the Rainbow!"

-Article from CMCentral.com