Since bursting onto the scene in 2003, Beloved has developed a reputation of being unique. The Atlanta-based group has created their own genre–women’s ministry music–which has been marketed with considerable success as “Real Music for Real Women.” With the upcoming release of their third album (and first nationally distributed release) Wake the World on Aug. 19, the pop trio is ready to extend their reach to America’s women … and beyond.
Defining Beloved is not an easy task. An equal mix of Point of Grace, Anita Renfroe and Bette Midler, Beloved writes songs that are life-applicable and relatable, connecting with an audience instantly through relational humor and infectious encouragement. The trio wrote nine of the 11 tracks on Wake the World, including the first radio single, “Love God, Serve Others,” which was produced by Grammy® Award winner Mac Powell of Third Day. The remainder of the album was produced in Atlanta by John Carrozza (Boyz II Men, Babbie Mason).
On Aug. 19, the day of the album’s release, the group will appear on Daystar’s popular series Celebration live from Dallas. Additional television appearances are scheduled for that week, including Live at 9 on Memphis’ CBS affiliate (Aug. 20), TCT Network’s Rejoice! (Aug. 21) and NRB Network’s Atlanta Live (Aug. 22). Earlier this month, the trio appeared on FamilyNet’s Mornings with Lorri and Larry and Every Day with Marcus and Lisa, and they are scheduled for upcoming appearances on The Good Life, Body Builders, CTN’s The Coffee Club and LeSEA Broadcasting’s The Harvest Show and Live From Studio B — a 30-minute live concert series taped before a studio audience. In addition to a busy concert schedule, Beloved will be appearing at select LifeWay Christian Bookstore locations throughout the month of August, performing live and signing copies of Wake the World.
The group’s members are at first glance as diverse as their influences. Beloved is comprised of former Forefront Records staffer Amy Goins, new grandmother Denise Clark, and former Miss Georgia Kim Gravel, who currently juggles her roles as a new mom and recording artist with hosting duties for the popular Christian TV talk show Friends Neighbors.
The trio stepped into the writing and recording process during a season of change that heavily influenced the lyrical and spiritual direction of the album. Prior to recording the album, Kim gave birth to her first child, Beau Michael, and was adapting to the newness of motherhood. While Kim was experiencing being a new mom, Denise had become a new grandmother. “I love being a young grandmother,” says Denise. “I had my kids when I was young, and back then I was so wrapped up in doing everything just right and making sure things were the way they ‘ought to be.’ Now I realize what really matters, and I enjoy every little moment with my granddaughter.”
Amy was also experiencing a season of change, but hers was one of loss, with the passing of her mother in early 2008. “The death of my mother was particularly difficult,” Amy said, adding her father already passed, as well. As a single woman, that was frightening for me. Although I have been living and supporting myself for many years, I suddenly felt very alone and abandoned.”
These major life changes supplied profound inspiration for the songs that were to become Wake the World, but Denise is quick to point out that one unifying theme hasn’t changed. “The core and heartbeat of this project, and this group, is Jesus,” explains Denise. “We never want to assume that the person listening to our music already knows and has a relationship with Jesus. The one constant message in all our songs is that Jesus is the only way to have eternal salvation and a joyful abundant life here on this earth. Everything else can change, but that must stay the same.”
“Lyrically we wanted to challenge ourselves and our listeners to get out there and live the life God intended for us,” Kim said. “It seems to be such a simple message, but it’s one a lot of people have a hard time grasping and actually living out, day to day.”
The first track, “I Dare You,” challenges listeners and drives the point home. “One of my greatest pleasures in life is encouraging people and helping them accomplish their goals and dreams,” Kim said. “I was raised by parents who taught me from a very young age that through Christ, I could do anything I set my mind to. I have realized not everyone was raised that way, so anytime I can, I try to get that message out there. Without Christ, I am nothing, but with Him I am everything.”
The title song “Wake the World” was inspired by the missions program of Cross Pointe Church, where Kim and Amy are members. “Missions is not only going across the world; it’s going across the street, or even just across the hall,” Amy said. “It’s about opening our eyes, looking around to see a need, and meeting that need.”
Cross Pointe Church also inspired the Mac Powell-produced “Love God, Serve Others.” “That is our church’s mission statement, and I love it because it is so concise, direct, and to the point,” says Kim. “If we would just focus on those three things … everything else would fall in line.”
“Jehovah-Jireh” was born out of a miraculous healing of Denise’s husband. “In 2005, my husband Brian was very ill in the hospital,” she explains. “He was only 12 hours away from a major surgery to have his colon removed. The doctor came in to check on him and decided to run a test one last time before the surgery. Miraculously the test came back as if nothing was wrong, so they did not do the surgery. That experience made God, and all the different qualities of Him, come alive to me.”
“Beloved is a group that definitely doesn’t take ourselves too seriously,” says Goins. “We love to laugh and poke fun at ourselves. Even our CD cover is intentionally over the top, kind of ‘tongue in cheek’ in a way.”
“If I can’t look like that in real life, I am going to look like that in print!” Gravel said. “We have found that by using a mix of humor and music, it creates an ideal atmosphere for people to relax and let their guard down. It softens hearts so God can speak and work in lives.”
Wake the World will be released on August 19, 2008, by Trato Records and Infinity Music Distribution, a division of Central South Distribution.
