Jenny Phillips

Bio

Jenny Phillips can still remember the power she felt listening to gospel music as a young girl and the desire she had even then to help others feel the same power. That vision carried her to where she is now—a leader in inspirational music, fulfilling her dream as one of the most performed and requested artists in the LDS music industry. She has released seven albums, and performed across the United States and internationally for more than 70,000 people at more than 500 performances in the last three years alone. And stories of change and testimony follow wherever she goes.

“Amazing things happen when you make yourself available to the Lord,” Jenny says. “To see where I began and to see where I’ve been taken since then is an overwhelming blessing. It is an incredible opportunity to share a message of love and hope—especially when you see that message change the lives of the people you perform for.”

Phillips began her musical journey in 1999 when she independently released the album He Comforts Me. The following year she released Heal Me, performed in Japan,and made her way to the negotiating rooms of Excel Entertainment Group where she became the first artist signed to the company’s record label in almost five years (2002). That year also brought the release of her third album, Parables, which was subsequently translated into Spanish offering Phillips the opportunity for her second international tour to Mexico.

During the creation, recording, and performing of her second and third albums, Phillips formed a choir to tour with her. They began small—only eight members performing twice a month, but by the time Phillips released her fourth album, Journey toward Zion, in 2004, the group had grown to almost 100 members performing more than 200 times each year.

Journey toward Zion marked many milestones in Phillips’ career. The album became a top-10 bestseller on the LDS Booksellers List and the live presentation incorporated both powerful video-footage and the epic recording of a 75-piece Czechoslovakian orchestra. Phillips and her group performed in fourteen states in addition to another international tour through England, Scotland, and Wales.

A European version of Journey toward Zion was released in Danish, Swedish, and German in 2005 simultaneous to a tour through Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, where Phillips and her group performed in each audience’s native language. While in Sweden, Phillips also recorded selections from her fifth full-length album, The Miracle (2006), in Swedish.

In addition to her five full-length albums, Phillips has released two albums for LDS Young Women, A Great and Marvelous Work (2005) which rose to #3 on the LDS Booksellers List and Arise and Shine Forth (2006) which became the #1 best-selling product at Deseret Book during the second week of January 2006, outselling all other books, movies, and music.

Across the many states and countries traveled, and throughout each of her albums, Phillips brings peace and serenity to listeners as her music offers a respite from busy days, demanding lives, and a loud world.

“There is such value in allowing ourselves quiet time despite crazy lives,” Phillips says, “and inspirational music, for me, is one of the best ways to do that. I hope I can always offer people throughout the world a way to feel that peace.”

Phillips and her husband live with their two children in Salt Lake City, Utah and are currently preparing for a tour through Australia in February 2006 as well as a tour through Samoa and Tonga in July 2006.  

Timeline

1999: Jenny independently releases her first CD, He Comforts Me, distributed by Excel Entertainment Group. She marries Daniel Phillips two weeks after the CD release and performs 4 times.

2000: Jenny and Daniel welcome their first baby, and Jenny releases her second CD, Heal Me, again distributed by Excel Entertainment Group. She organizes a small choir group (about 8 members) and is now performing 1 to 3 times per month.

2001: Jenny is invited to Japan for her first international performance.

2002: Jenny and Daniel welcome their second child and Lumen Records signs Jenny as a label artist. Lumen releases her album Parables and she adds 20 members to her performing group. Jenny is now performing 6 to 7 times per month.

2003: Parables is translated into Spanish and Jenny performs the album on a tour through Mexico. She also performs throughout the United States 10 to 12 times per month.

2004: Journey toward Zion releases and makes the LDSBA Best-Seller List. Jenny takes the program to England, Scotland, and Wales. Lumen Records merges with Deseret Book Company.

2005: Jenny releases A Great and Marvelous Work: Songs for the 2005 Young Women's Theme which reaches #3 on the LDSBA Best-Seller List. She and her group, now consisting of 90 members, perform at more than 200 firesides throughout the United States. They tour Denmark, Germany, and Sweden after Jenny releases Journey toward Zion - European Version with songs in Danish, German, and Swedish (the first LDS music released by Lumen Records in those languages). While in Sweden, she records selections for her album, The Miracle, in Swedish.

2006: Arise and Shine Forth: Songs for the 2006 Young Women’s Theme releases and becomes the #1 best-selling product at Deseret Book during the second week of January, outselling all other books, movies, and music. Jenny’s seventh album, The Miracle, releases. She continues touring throughout the United States and internationally including a 10-day tour through Australia in February and a tour through Samoa and Tonga in July.

Website: www.jennyphillips.com