STACIE ORRICO answered some questions about her entrance into CCM with her 'Genuine' album

I understand it was winning a talent contest at the Praise In The Rockies seminar which led to you being approached by ForeFront Records when you were only 12 years old! What on earth did your family think?

My family knew nothing about the industry and all of a sudden we had all these people talking to us and it freaked us out. There were times when I said, 'Okay, am I supposed to do this? This decision could change my family's lives.' I had so many people telling me to wait; after all, I was jus 12! I was praying about this one day and I pulled out a Crystal Lewis record and listened to "For Such A Time As This". I heard her sing, "For such a time as this/Isn't it much too great a risk? /Pve never flown from the edge of a cliff/I've never walked on the water/But if I turn away, how will I know what I have missed?/Have I waited all my life for such a time as this?"

There's quite an R&B edge in your music, isn't there?

I am very determined when it comes to my music and I grew up just loving those singers who had that urban sort of feeling. So when it came down to making my record, I wanted to have that as well. ForeFront was really good about letting me go in that direction and then of course adding the more pop sounds. I feel very fortunate that I got to explore some unique and creative angles musically.

What's the opening song "Ride" about?

Our society always seems to be looking for excitement and satisfaction through various outlets. The "rides" they take only leave them empty and searching for more. This song offers a hope that God's love won't let them down and will give them more than anything else they try to pursue in life.

You're clearly going to be considered something of a role model for young teens.

I know that for some people Christianity carries a major stereotype and I don't want to make people turn and run. I just want to show people, especially other teens out there who maybe aren't of the same faith that I am, that my music stands for something a little deeper than the coolest hairstyle or the hottest clothes. I have found something real and something important that keeps me stable and focused and maybe people my age will hear my music and they will say, 'I wonder what she has that I don't?' If someone finds peace or answers in my music, that's cool.