I really like
Switchfoot &
MXPX, they’re both really good Christian bands. I also like
Rachael Lampa, she’s a really good
Catholic singer and she’s been acknowledged by the
Pope!
Here’s an interview w/ Rachael Lampa from *
[catholicrock.com/cath/cathreg91.html](http://www.catholicrock.com/cath/cathreg91.html):*
Rachael Lampa ia a Christian music superstar who also happens to be a charismatic Catholic. This may come as a surprise to many Evangelical Christians as her Catholic heritage has been very much in the background of her incredible rise to the top of the Christian music charts. Starting with the adult pop sound of “Live for You” and progressing through “Kaleidoscope” to the teen-pop dance-remix sound of “Blur”, Rachael Lampa has shown herself to be a force to be reckoned with in CCM.
David: Can you tell how you were discovered?
Rachael: I always wanted to be a singer. I got a chance to go up to Estes Park in Colorado for Seminar in the Rockies where a lot of Christian artists go to be discovered. I actually didnt know what it was but they asked me to sing at this caf at midnight and I got a record deal that night.
David: And how old were you?
Rachael: I was 14 and the first CD came out when I was 15.
David: The Catholic world first heard you on the 2000 World Youth Day CD singing a duet with the legendary Aaron Neville. What was that like?
Rachael: It was so unexpected. I remembered his totally distinct voice. I got to go down to New Orleans and hang with him. He had these cool Rosary bracelets and he gave me a whole bunch to hand out to my family. It was a cool and special experience.
David: Can you tell me a little about your conversion experience?
Rachael: My whole life, I was aware of God. I knew He was there. I would pray to Him. It was actually at a Steubenville conference in the rockies two days before Estes Park. On the last night of the conference, they asked us to sit by ourselves away from our friends and just have a talk with God. I was a good girl at school and didnt get into any crazy stuff and I thought that was all I had to do. But I told God I was bored. I wanted to do things especially for God and not only just be a good girl. I want to be bigger and louder about it. I really wanted to live for God.
Dave: Have you ever been challenged for your Catholic beliefs by the Evangelicals in the CCM industry?
Rachael: I’ve gotten a few people who like to say things that are uneducated about what they are asking or criticizing about. If anything, it has challenged me to learn more about what I believe in. It was more at the beginning when people were skeptical about me as an artist and as a person. Lately, its been fine. There are Catholics that have a really deep personal relationship with God and thats all that matters. Thats what ties all Christians together. We all love Christ and we all love God. I hope that I can have something to do with people uniting.
Dave; Do you see yourself as a role model?
Rachael. I guess so. There are a lot of people that write me letters and ask me questions at shows. A lot of them are young kids and girls.
Dave: What would you like to say to our youth? Rachael: Just be loud and unashamed. Come to the realization that nothing makes more sense than to serve God. Turn to Him and dont try to figure things out yourself. Theres a verse that I really love (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”.
