Genre: Pop/Rock
For fans of: Vanessa Carlton, Rebecca St. James, Michelle Branch, U2, Kelly Clarkson
Label: Reunion Records

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gen· e· sis (jen´ i-sis) n. The coming into being of something; the origin; beginning.

Twenty-two-year-old singer/songwriter Joy Williams can't help but smile when she talks about her life as though it's just now beginning. And in many ways, it's true.

Joy Williams

It's been nearly five years since Joy emerged onto the music scene with the 2001 release of her critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut album. Just 17 years old then, she was juggling the challenges of high school with the demanding schedule of a recording artist. By the time her sophomore effort, By Surprise, released in 2002, Joy had logged more than 400 days on the road performing before crowds around the world.

Joy's engaging personality has always transcended her music and earned her legions of loyal fans across the globe. Her industry accolades include five Dove Award nominations, including a nod for the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year honor for three consecutive years. Her radio success includes the No. 1 single "Every Moment," and CCM Magazine (2/2002) readers even voted Joy the "Best New Artist."

On being an artist, Joy admits, "I realize this crazy life is a privilege and I know that not everybody gets to do this, especially at such a young age, and I'm grateful for the chance. However, I was expected to grow up quickly and there were moments when I had to deal with my feelings over that. I was college-bound, wanting to go to that Ivy League school and take the scholarship I'd worked so hard for. But college was not in the blue prints for me, I had signed on to a different life instead. And I would have moments where I'd find myself so jealous of friends at college who would talk about professors they loved or trips abroad they were taking. In the end, what has been so remarkable is the fact that this path I've taken has included many life journeys I had hoped for."

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