Home: J : Jill Phillips : Biography

Biography (courtesy of Fervent Records)

Her voice penetrates a room and her songs silence crowds. She is real and honest. In between goofy banter on stage and spiritually profound songs, Jill Phillips has earned the respect and the attention of crowds large and small.

Few people can stand on their own diverse talent and spend their lives working toward what some call the impossible while keeping their vision alive. Phillips is one of these people. Musically trained, her pop/folk style speaks truth from her heart through songs that come to life in different ways for every person who hears them.

While reaping great success as an independent artist with her album God & Money, Phillips found herself named by CCM Magazine readers the 2002 pick for best independent artist of the year. Now signed with Fervent Records, Phillips has a tremendous follow up project, Writing On The Wall.

Phillips attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where contrary to many artists, she actually studied commercial vocal performance. There she began playing guitar, the foundation of the acoustically strong Writing On The Wall. Inspired by so many singers and songwriters through the years, her influences include James Taylor, Jonatha Brooke, and Pierce Pettis.

These influences have helped Phillips create a style of her own that is evident in songs from Writing on the Wall. "Wrecking Ball," a stand-out from her upcoming album and the first single, is a song of how God uses adversity to build character. Phillips reflects, "The Bible tells us that this is all part of the process of finding our identity in Christ." Other notable songs include "God Believes in You" and "Still is My Soul."

Like many people, Phillips has dealt with many obstacles that continue to humble and strengthen her including the recent passing of her father. Throughout the writing of this record, Phillips feels strongly that many songs were prematurely written to describe her feelings and emotions during difficult times ahead for her and others. "It is always an amazing thing when the songs are used to speak to people, sometimes in ways that I never even intended in writing them."

Writing On The Wall is a combination of Phillips' versatility, grace and talent, and it is these virtues that have opened doors for her that most cannot claim. Joining her on this record singing background vocals are friends and artists including Bebo Norman, Andrew Peterson and Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay). Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer) and Phil Madeira, notable producer and writer, bring many instrumental additions to the record.

Ultimately, when someone sees Jill Phillips, they see a fun-loving, happy young woman who lives a life humbled by her experiences. Phillips claims, "My goal is to do everything to the best of my ability as unto the Lord so that He can use it in whatever way He sees fit."