Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Monday, March 22, 2004
Jilleen Butler
By SUSAN FUNK
The Orange County Register
Job title: singer, speaker and music teacher
Company: www.jilleen.com
Telephone: (949) 400-6770
Residence: Mission Viejo, CA
Age: 29
Describe Your Job:
I sing and share my personal testimony at churches. Part of it deals with emotional wholeness, which became a topic for women's groups, retreats and conferences. I usually open with songs from my CDs, speak for about an hour and close with a song. Typically the women break out into discussion groups with questions I've provided. I travel throughout the United States and Japan.
Your Background?
I was attending a conference on diversifying your career base to provide more funding. It suggested looking at areas you're good at. I was already sharing about emotional wholeness, so it naturally branched out. I do e-mail marketing, phone calls, networking and I get referrals.
Your Typical Day?
I start with administrative work, schedule singing lessons and concerts, and answer e-mails. Tuesdays, I lead senior sing-alongs; I teach voice three days a week at International Music School in Costa Mesa and Coast Band Music in Mission Viejo; and I'm training with Kindermusik to teach children. This summer, I'll do music camps.
What's Your Background?
I've been singing since age 12. I knew someday I'd sing and teach. I was in human resources and was a technical recruiter. In October 2000, I recorded my CD and began booking concerts. Support from CD sales and honorariums from concerts gave me the opportunity to move into it full time.
Best Thing About The Job?
The flexibility of schedule and being able to share God's love and influence people's lives. The best joy is seeing students walk on stage and be comfortable; and watching seniors light up, remembering a song they sang a long time ago.
Biggest Challenge?
Balance. My schedule is constantly changing.
How many hours a week do you work? 50 plus.
Advice For Someone Interested In Taking Their Passion From Part Time To Full Time?
Take it slow. If you want people to take you seriously, then be serious about your passion.
What Motivates You To Do Your Best?
The Lord, to honor him in everything I do. - The Orange County Register
December 15, 2003
Amazon.com Customer Review By Monica Seidler-Hux
Average Customer Review: *****
Reviewer: A music fan from Zurich (Switzerland)
A fresh, beautiful voice with a clear and important message!
Born in 1975 in Napa, grown up in Antioch, California, Jilleen chooses Ephesians 5:19b as a guiding verse for her music ministry: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." With inspiring enthusiasm, electrifying rhythms that recall Sandi Patty's finest moments, and a radiant, clear voice she speaks in her songs about God's strength and majesty that pass our understanding, about Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary, about the encouragement and hope we can find in life's often difficult and ugly circumstances, and last, but not least she tells us that we are all God's creation and can be His children, loved ones, called to take His love into this world.
The professional singer with a Bachelor's degree in music who performed with well-known artists such as Bryan Duncan, Al Denson and Patty Cabrera was among the Top 25 Finalists in the 2001 Do Good Music Competition. She is a very talented performer of narrative, inspirational ballads such as One King, Two Crowns and Artist Of My Soul, and beautiful yet simple songs such as Fernando Ortega's Give me Jesus, a song she performed on her first album One King, Two Crowns (2000) with a beautiful, clear voice and a moving cello interlude. The arrangements of her ballads are smooth, dominated by piano or guitar, and powerfully orchestrated in her up-tempo songs. The meaningful lyrics and her voice stand in the center. Apart from the United States she has a heart for people in Japan. As a spokeswoman for Asian Access / Life Ministries she longs to bring the gospel to the Asians. And it's for them in particular that she sings a beautiful, somehow Asiatic version of Iesuo Kudasai (Give me Jesus) and He Is Exalted (translated Syuo Homeyo Takarakani).
Jilleen-a fresh, beautiful voice with a clear and important message! Look for her latest CD, Summon Your Power (released in Sept. 2003, Jilleen's Records, Mission Viejo, California), with beautiful ballads such as Alabaster Box (Janice Lyn Sjostrand) and How Could I Ask For More (Cindy Morgan), and more energetic, sharper rhythms in songs like In Not Of or Summon Your Power! It's worth listening to! - Amazon.com
December 14, 2003
The Yellow Beat Radio Show in Japan announced today that they will be debuting and web casting Jilleen’s new cd “Summon Your Power” during their annual Christmas program on Friday, December 19 at 9:04 p.m. (Japan Standard Time). They will be featuring the songs "He's Alive", "Shaped By The Master's Hand", and "Alabaster Box" from the album.
Jilleen has garnered airplay on the Yellow Beat Radio Show since 2001 and recently did a live interview with the show’s djs, Michiko and Chris, during her spring 2003 music tour to Japan.
The Yellow Beat Radio Show will continue to introduce new songs from Jilleen’s new album "Summon Your Power" in the months ahead. Stay tuned to www.jilleen.com for complete details. - www.yellowbeat.net
November 2003
“Jilleen is back with a new project called Summon Your Power. This time around she sank her teeth into some groovy pop tunes. This project puts Jilleen among the best CCM artists of today. Her silky smooth voice does justice to the songs and it is evident that she carefully chose the songs for this project. The most favorite song of mine from this project are I Rejoice, In Not Of & Summon Your Power, among others. I firmly believe that it is only a matter of time before the name Jilleen becomes a household name. This is just further proof that the indies are out in full force this year with some very good production. And by the way Jilleen, I like the CD Design.” - Delroy, Ensound Entertainment.com
November 2003
The 2004 RefresHer conference titled “Amazed” will feature keynote speaker Vicki Courtney, author of “The Virtuous Woman” and “Get a Life”, and Christian Recording Artist Jilleen. The conference will be held April 16 -18, 2004 at the Visalia Convention Center. Special this year will be a Teen RefresHer track for all girls ages 13-17 years old and a Hispanic RefresHer track. Also included this weekend for all others will be numerous conferences, a leadership symposium, missionary speakers, a On Mission Celebration, California Nurses on Mission, and a California Christian Writers’ Fellowship mini conference. For more information about Refresher, please contact the WMU/WM Department, CSBC, 678 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California 93710, 559-229-9533 or email: lewis@csbc.com. - The California Southern Baptist Convention
October 2003
Christian music artist, Jilleen, will perform in concert Saturday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at Wollaston Lutheran Church, 550 Hancock St., Wollaston. There is no admission cost, only a free will donation to help support Jilleen and her ministry of sharing the Gospel through her music.
Jilleen, a 1997 graduate of Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. With a bachelor’s degree in music, received the “Outstanding Senior Award” for musical performance. For more information about the event, directions to Wollaston Lutheran Churhc and Jilleen’s music ministry, call 617-773-5482. - The Quincy Sun
March 13-19, 2003
Recording Artist Jilleen will perform March 16 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. For information, call 733-6076. Jilleen will also give a concert March 16 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aiken, 7 p.m. For info, call 803-649-6417. - The Metropolitan Spirit
August 6, 2003
The Second Annual Indie Festival, Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9. Indie Fest is a two-day concert featuring 20 independent Christian solo artists and bands and will be held at the Bread from the Lighthouse in Pendleton. Tom and Amy Martin of The Spirit Radio sponsor the music festival. Friday’s show begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Saturday’s show begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m. On Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. during shows, there will be a special time for kids called “IndWee” Fest. There will be a petting zoo from Smith Family Farms of Pendleton, face painting, games, and music geared towards kids featuring Within Reach (a husband and wife acoustic duo from Frankfurt, IN) and Sackcloth2joy. Saturday, August 9, 1 p.m. - Jilleen. Singing adult contemporary music, Jilleen of San Diego, Calif. has spent most of her life participating in school and church choirs. She performs and leads worship for concerts, church services, and retreats throughout the U.S. and Japan, and has performed with Contemporary Christian Artists Bryan Duncan, Al Denson, and Patty Cabrera. - The Pendleton Times
September 2002
1. Where are you from originally and what sort of things were into growing up?
I grew up in Antioch, California and was involved in several things growing up. Can you believe I was a Girl Scout until the age of 18! Wow, now that is a very long.....time. I also liked to sing (of course, this is obvious), hang out with friends and go to church camp each summer! Church camp was the best place to meet Christian boys! Yes, that is correct, Christian boys! Now listen up all you teenage girls out there! Church camp is specifically designed to be a place where you can learn more about Jesus, make new friends and have a blast in the middle of God's Creation! But it is also a great place to meet and develop "healthy" relationships with other Christian teenagers. Take it from me! I still have friends today that I keep in touch with from my summer camp days. These relationships will always be very precious to me!
2. How did you get started in the music business?
I discovered at the early age of thirteen that I had the gift of singing and I wanted to be the next "Amy Grant" of Christian Music. Growing up, I sang in my church and school choirs and took voice lessons. At age 25, I was finally at a place in my life where I was ready to pursue my dream of developing a full time music ministry and release my first CD. It was all according to God's timing. He knew when I was ready, not me! Today I perform over 75 times per year throughout the United States and in Japan!
3. How long have you been doing what you are doing now?
I have been singing for over 15 years and have been in full time music ministry for 2 years now.
4. Who were some of your musical influences?
Whitney Houston, Celion Dion, Bette Midler, Twila Paris, Amy Grant and Sandy Patti, just to name a few!
5. For those who may not have heard you before, how would you describe your music?
My music is a mixture of Contemporary Christian Pop & Inspirational Music.
6. What would say that most of your songs are about?
Over the last few years, God has had me focus on His ability to heal people from emotional difficulties and situations. This is what has been reflected in my songs on my first album "One King, Two Crowns."
7. What are your feelings toward Christians listening to secular music?
I think it is fine as long as they are not listening to specific songs that they know in their hearts are not glorifying to God.
8. How has God been working in your life lately? What things has he been teaching you?
God is currently preparing me for my upcoming October 2002 marriage to my fiancé named Andrew. God is showing me that my life is no longer meant to be focused only on my music ministry. Rather, I am now to be focused on my marriage. Above all else, my life should be focused on God first, my marriage second and my music ministry third.
9. What is the most important thing that you would like people to take away from your music or your live shows?
That God loves them and wants to be a part of their lives no matter where they have been or what they have done in their pasts. God loves them no matter what circumstances they are currently in or have been a part of. His love surpasses ALL UNDERSTANDING!! And some times we tend to forget, that this means God's love surpasses even our own understanding!
10. What is your favorite bible verse?
Romans 10:9
11. What things do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to spend time with my future husband, Andrew, by taking walks together and going to the beach at sunset. We are also both Christian Apologetics junkies! We like to talk about how to defend and share the Christian Faith with people from different religions. It is a challenge to learn how to share about Jesus with others who already have an established and strong belief system in their god(s) and heaven(s).
12. Who is your favorite Christian artist?
I do not have one specific Christian Artist that I prefer over the other. I really like Vineyard Worship Music, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sixpence None The Richer, Amy Grant, Twila Paris....I tend to like a wide variety of Christian music artists and genres.
13. What are your favorite websites?
www.asianaccess.org
www.worldvision.com
www.straightupmanagement.com
www.indieheaven.com
www.junko.com
www.cui.edu - www.thespiritradio.com
March 1, 2004
Jilleen is featured this month in the March edition of CCM magazine within the Indie Heaven section. Pick up a copy at your local Christian bookstore today! - www.indieheaven.com
Discography
Summon Your Power (2003)
One King, Two Crowns (2001)
Good Works - The 2001 Do Good Music Talent Search Top 25 Artists (2002)
All About Love by Rick Muchow (1999) - Background Vocals
Ein Feste Burg - Featuring The Concordia University Choir (1996)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
After three years as a successful Christian Music Recording Artist and performing over seventy-five concerts per year, Jilleen has released a brand new, highly anticipated cd titled Summon Your Power. Summon Your Power not only highlights Jilleen’s personal growth as a musician, but also renders as a powerful statement to her continued determination to serve the Lord in ministry.
Summon Your Power excels in sharing vivid, yet mysterious Christ-like imagery. From the first captivating tune, He's Alive, to the popular gospel ballad, Alabaster Box, Jilleen has once again proven her ability to share God’s love in an amazingly beautiful manner. Jilleen’s long time music fans will be pleased that while Summon Your Power shares a resemblance to her debut cd, One King Two Crowns, it also attracts a new genre of listeners that may not be as familiar with her music.
In 2000, Jilleen released her first album, One King, Two Crowns, containing nine power packed inspirational songs that is an expression of Jilleen's everlasting love for the Lord. In collaboration with producer, Joel Endicott, One King, Two Crowns, shimmers with Jilleen's pure and radiant vocals, while guiding the listener closer to the heart of God.
In 1997, Jilleen graduated from Concordia University, Irvine with a Bachelor's Degree in Music and received the “Outstanding Senior Award For Musical Performance”. In 2001, Jilleen was awarded the “Concordia University Alumni Award” for her contributions towards helping to fulfill The Great Commission.
Today, Jilleen actively performs and leads worship for concerts, church services, conferences and retreats throughout the United States and in Japan. During her career, she has performed with Contemporary Christian Recording Artists Bryan Duncan, Al Denson and Patty Cabrera and was a member and soloist of the Vocal Worship Ministry at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. She has also performed at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California and Union Church in Los Angeles, California, and also including events sponsored by The California Southern Baptist Convention, Harvest Time Ministries and The American Cancer Society.
In 2001, Jilleen was named as one of the Top 25 Finalists in the 2001 Do Good Music Competition, sponsored by Atlantic Records, Christian Music Division. She has also appeared on several local and national radio shows including the “Let’s Talk” Radio Show on 93.5 FM KFSG in Los Angeles and on the Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN).
Now a days, Jilleen is also a highly sought after Christian Speaker and presents "Emotional Wholeness For Women Seminars" at various women's events throughout the country. During the seminar, Jilleen teaches women about God's emotional design for His children and how our emotions are directly connected with our spiritual, mental and physical well-being.
Jilleen is also a World Vision Artist Associate and encourages people during her concerts and seminars to consider sponsoring a child who lives in a third world country through World Vision. Jilleen and her husband personally sponsor a child by the name of Fuad from Palestine.
Furthermore, Jilleen is the Artist Spokesperson for Asian Access, an evangelical mission organization that sends career missionaries, associates and summer mission teams throughout Asia to share the Gospel. In 1994, Jilleen made her first visit to Japan. During this visit, the Lord touched Jilleen’s heart in such a deep way, that she has since returned to Japan on numerous occasions and has future plans for a 2004 Christmas tour. As a part of Jilleen’s commitment to the Japanese people, she continues to share about Japan’s spiritual needs during her concerts and has included the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, in both English and Japanese on her new project Summon Your Power.
Today, Jilleen enjoys being a newlywed and spending quality time with her husband, Andrew, whom she married on October 12, 2002. Together they reside in MIssion Viejo, California and are involved in their church’s young married couples ministry. Most importantly, Jilleen believes that her greatest treasure in life is her personal relationship with the Lord and sharing God’s love with others.
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