My Jesus
Album release date: April 22, 2022
(Capitol CMG)
Armed with a powerhouse voice and mountain-moving faith, Anne Wilson burst onto the Christian music scene with her No.1 debut smash, “My Jesus.” As the first female debut artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard AC chart, Wilson’s “My Jesus” was the longest-running No. 1 for 2021. Wilson was also Billboard’s Chartbreaker Artist in the 21 Under 21 issue (Oct. ‘21).
Her unprecedented rise to the tip-top was almost as surprising as God’s calling on her life to pursue music. At fifteen, firmly decided on a career as an astronaut and to work for NASA, Wilson’s life took a complete turn when her family was struck by the unexpected death of her brother, Jacob, from a car accident. Shocked from the loss and navigating how to move forward, Wilson spent time seeking God through prayer and worship. One afternoon, shortly after the accident, her parents approached her about singing at Jacob’s funeral.
“I didn’t know it, but my parents had been praying to find someone to sing at Jacob’s funeral,” Wilson explains. “We were at home, and I started playing the piano and singing ‘What A Beautiful Name,’ just worshipping by myself. My mom came in and asked if I would sing that song at Jacob’s funeral. I’d never sung in front of people before, so I wasn’t sure, but I said yes. Then at the funeral, right before I pressed the first chord on the piano, I heard God’s voice speak to me. He said, word for word, ‘Anne, this is what I’m calling you to do.’”
Wilson said yes to God’s calling on her life, even though she didn’t know what it meant or where it might take her. Prompted by friends and family, she filmed her own version of “What A Beautiful Name” and put it on YouTube, which ended up being the start of her career.
“That video is what led to me meeting my manager and my first trip to Nashville in April 2019. I had my first co-write at the end of my junior year of high school and the next day, I got a call from Capitol.”
Amidst the whirlwind of the last few years, Wilson’s maintained her hey y’all sparkle, her strong faith in God and genuine love for people shining through on her debut album, My Jesus. Each song on the album, co-written with songwriting heavy-hitters like Matthew West, Mia Fields, Jonathan Smith, Jeff Pardo, Emily Weisband, Ben Glover and more, is specifically crafted, a moment-in-time snapshot of Wilson’s self-discovery as she walks a new and unplanned life road.
“This record is the last two years of my life, a compilation of songs that each mean different things to me. Every song is a different side of me as an artist – country, worship, sweet, radio – songs that speak to the masses and songs that speak to specific people or seasons. I feel like God placed this calling over my life to minister to those who’ve lost someone and are hurting. With these songs, I want to speak life and joy to people walking through pain and loss.”
Country boot-stomper “God Thing” is Wilson’s testimony to the many ways God moves in the lives of His people. “I wanted to write about all these amazing things that were happening in my life that were clearly a God thing. This song declares how God provides what you need when you need it, how He always comes through.”
Standout track “Mamas,” co-written with Matthew West and Jeff Pardo, is a heartstring tearjerker about the special bond between a mother and her daughter. Featuring Hillary Scott (Lady A), the song is particularly meaningful for Wilson, a lifelong country music fan. “I got to meet her when I was on her podcast, ‘Country Faith Radio with Hillary Scott.’ I’ve always been a huge fan and just prayed about it, trusting God would work it out. I’m so honored she chose to feature on this special song.”
“Hey Girl,” a fun, girl talk song, is Wilson speaking directly to her peers. “I have such a heart for girls in my age group. I know what it’s like to have your identity in the world and not in God, when you put your identity in what people say or think about you. I’ve always been left so broken in those times. I wanted to write about living in my identity as a daughter of God, that there’s such beauty in that. I want to encourage girls to put their identity in God.”
Nestled comfortably in Wilson’s Kentucky upbringing and showcasing her youthful joy and effervescent outlook, the album’s rootsy, country vibes and signature vocals set it apart from other debut offerings. Building on Wilson’s experience of losing her brother and moving beyond to showcase every side of her walk with God, My Jesus empathizes and encourages, giving the listener tender support while also celebrating the joy found in a life with Jesus. For more about Anne Wilson, visit her website at AnneWilsonOfficial.com.
