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Like Rebecca, Evie released her debut album (Word, 1974) at the age of 16.

Evie, tell us about your beginnings as a Christian artist.

Tornquist I started starting singing with my mom when I was three or four, and I came to understand at an early age that music was a message more than anything else. I knew all along that I wanted to sing with a message that would change lives, and that I wanted it to be done with God's help in a way that would touch people on a deeper level.

I also remember as a little girl being moved to tears when I listened to Jack Holcomb. I'd go to those Southern Gospel all-night sing-ins, hearing the likes of The Goodmans and The Speer Family. At a young age, I remember praying, "Lord, if I can sing, I want you to use me like that."

One door opened after the next, and it's just been a wonderful privilege to see how easily things transpired according to the Lord's time. It was just a joy to walk into that, and still see God using music to change lives today.

Is it still an important part of your life today now that you're retired?

Tornquist It is in the sense that I love to sing to the Lord every day. And I love to listen to music.

Such as?

Tornquist I listen to just about everything. I love the edgier, rocking stuff …

St. James Her son is into hardcore Christian metal!

Tornquist Absolutely! I love anything and everything, particularly when you can tell from the words and music that their heart simply wants to honor God.

Well, I won't hold my breath for a grunge rock record from Evie Tornquist. How do challenges for Christian artists today compare with the way it was back in the '70s?

St. James I think in some ways it was harder for Evie, because she was a pioneer, whereas I'm almost reaping the benefits of what she helped establish. A lot of things are easier today.

She was just telling me about how happy she was to go out on a tour with buses. Back in her day, it was just her flying from town to town and performing to [pre-recorded] tracks. I don't know how she did that for so long—I wouldn't have survived. I mean, I've sung to tracks and I started out in a 15-foot van before upgrading to a motor home and then a bus. I guess we all pay our dues initially, but she's a stronger woman than me.

Tornquist I was very much alone when I was on the road, whereas Rebecca has the wonderful privilege of touring with her band and most of her family. Her support team is with her, but for me, my support team—my family, friends, and spiritual mentors—was typically at home.

That had to be tougher back then, and yet they're things that artists still face today.

Tornquist The issues of the heart have been the same since the beginning of man. The struggles that Adam and Eve had are the same that we've all had and always will until the next life. The challenges I had in the '70s, Rebecca has today. Jack Holcomb had them thirty years before me and whoever is next in Christian music thirty years from now will also face the same issues.

St. James We talk a lot about expectations—our own high expectations, but also dealing with those from other people. In this kind of ministry, people expect you to always behave the same way in person as they see you in the media. You're not allowed to have a grumpy day or be reclusive, because if that's the one time they experience you, they'll think that's how you really are, even if you're just having a bad day. That weighs on you because you have to be "on" all the time you're in public. There's not a lot of time to be "off."

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