Racheal Graham

"I want so badly to speak words that impact others in the same way words have impacted me," says singer/songwriter, Racheal Graham. "There are so many artists whose work constantly and consistently pushes me to be better—a better musician, a better writer, a better person, a better Christian. That's what I hope to do with my life. Push."

Though her pursuit is not unlike that of other independent artists, Racheal is set apart by a deep-seeded passion to share the peace she has come to know with her audience. This desire is evident in the honest, transparent writing on her 2009 self-produced EP, Mesmerized. Racheal's story is embedded throughout its captivating melodies and piano-driven pop arrangements. This carefully crafted collection of songs highlights not only her rich vocals but also her unique willingness to be vulnerable. Whether it's in her struggle to know and understand God's will in "Better than I" or her expression of the enchanting presence of God in the title track, "Mesmerized¸" listeners quickly identify with Racheal's most intimate thoughts.

Growing up in Springfield, MO, Racheal started singing in her small church when she was just a toddler, but it wasn't long before this little girl's dream matured into a more serious desire to be obedient. At the age of 15, in the midst of a family vacation, God revealed a call on her life. "One evening, after a long day of sightseeing, I was just thinking about my life while we were riding the subway back to our hotel," Racheal recalls. "I felt God speak to me so clearly, saying, 'There's a reason you're different. I've set you apart for a purpose. I want you to be an example.' From that moment on, music was no longer just a hobby."

After attending Trevecca Nazarene University, where she traveled across the Southeast as a member of the university's five-person vocal group, EverPraise, Racheal made Nashville her home. The formative years that followed saw Racheal learning important life lessons and narrating those lessons in the words of her songs. As her faith was ultimately bolstered by life's push and pull, so is her drive to convey a message of hope. Now diligently working to continue honing her craft, she is evermore committed to sharing her heart. "I am no longer slave to the patterns of behavior in my past or the scars that I'd carried," she explains. "By His grace, I have been made free to truly live, and live with hope and purpose and inexpressible joy. Words fall short of describing the intricate and precious beauty of this transformation, and I am well aware of how easily a story like mine can be reduced to the cliché and romanticized ideas that we often quickly dismiss. Still, I can't help telling it. This story of how He has saved me, yet again, has become my very identity. It is the truest thing I know."