Tony Cummings reports on the Southern gospel singer turned pop princess CORTNI

Cortni

Those Cross Rhythms radio listeners who, in the last few months, have been listening to the catchy R&B-influenced pop of "Trophy Man" and "The After Party" by teenage singer Cortni would never have suspected that this highly talented newcomer, whose debut album has produced three Cross Rhythms turntable hits, has roots in Southern gospel. Yet like numerous singers before her Cortni has successfully switched from the oldtime religion and close harmonies of SG to something much more contemporary. The singer spoke about the serious message of her song "Trophy Man". "Me and my producer, Tre Corley, wrote this together, because of my relationship I was in two years. I didn't put God first. This song is talking about having that trophy man in your life [when] you don't make God number one. I love this song; this is my favourite, because it's true. Girls need to hear this message. You need a [Godly] guy to live right, act right, treat you right."

An equally effective message is the title track of her 'The After Party' album. Cortni observed, "A lot of Christians, especially teenagers, feel like they can't have fun. They're ashamed, especially going to school. They want to do things the other kids do. But I want to teach the kids you can have fun being a Christian. I want to pull them in and minister to them: why wait till Heaven when we can have a party down on earth? We don't live on earth for that long, so let's do what we can."

A native Fayetteville, Arkansas, Cortni Bilderback grew up surrounded by Southern gospel. She reminisced, "My parents were pastors, and also gospel singers called the Bilderbacks. I used to travel with them constantly on weekends. We would go all around the world and sing at churches. I used to sing, they always made me - my dad pushed me, even though I was nervous and shy. So he's always been there to make me do it."

The Bilderbacks recorded numerous albums including 'Memories', 'From The Heart', 'Don't Rush Me', 'Bluegrass', 'Live In Wichita KS', 'Gotta Have It' and 'One Step Closer'. Broadcaster Mike Rimmer asked Cortni whether her parents approved of her move from the security of a family group based in Arkansas to relocating to Nashville to become a pop soloist. Responded Cortni, "They were a hundred percent behind me. They were like, 'You can stay in Arkansas and still do your thing'. But I felt like I needed to move to Tennessee. They're amazing, they always are behind me; they care what I do, but they're not overpowering. They're beside me, being my friend through this, and loving me every step of the way."

It was a visit to Cortni's church in Springville, Arkansas by Southern gospel star Jason Crabb which was the pivotal event in giving Cortni the impetus to step out as a solo. Remembered the singer, "Jason was like, 'Cornti, you have got to go to Tennessee and work with our producer, Tre Corley.' So we went down, and everything fitted perfectly. He said he loved pop as well. At first, I was going to do a worship CD, so it completely turned around for the best. Working in the studio and writing with him, it was a great experience."

Along with "Trophy Man", Cortni's other favourite song on the album is "True Love". She said, "It talks about finding that one true love. A lot of kids want to fit in at school; they get in a relationship, and they don't put God first. But I'm here to tell you that God can be your true love and he can fill your void inside that nothing else can fill. When I sing it live, I get a lot of response. It really ministers to so many kids that are searching."

Since the release of her album through New Day Distribution in May 2011 Cortni has been on the road with her band The After Party while in November she released a Christmas single "This Is Christmas". Being a highly attractive pop singer Cortni is very aware that she is becoming something of a role model to impressionable youth. She said, "I try to dress modest, but also poppy vibe. I wear the black gloves. Jeans, converses - that's my main style, red converses. I have to have a high standard for myself. I want a lot of people, especially young girls, to have a standard as well. That's what I want to bring out. In life right now it's hard to have a high standard, because of TV, the influences, reality TV shows. They need to be influenced."

Cortni was asked who helped her stay focussed on God. She responded, "It's mainly my brother, and my youth pastor. I'm also the youth leader at church, so I get a lot of Word every Wednesday. You have to stay in your Word, because it's hard out there, especially with the ministry. With him I can do it, but without him it wouldn't be easy. The Devil has fought me mostly all my life, so I know it's going to be even harder. Especially when I gave God everything, the Devil is going to try more to bring you down and make you fall. But I know I have to be strong in what I believe in so I can be that role model."