Louder Than The Music

Centricity Music, the No. 1 Billboard Top Christian Albums Imprint for three consecutive years, signs Muscle Shoals, AL native, songwriter and dynamic vocalist Rachel Purcell to an exclusive, worldwide recording and publishing contract.

After a season of significant major label success recording under her maiden name, Rachel Wammack, and being featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, Taste of Country, Paste Magazine, CMT, MusicRow and many other trendsetting outlets, Purcell began writing new music – songs of faith that aligned with her most authentic self.

“The initial song about my relationship with God was the first song I’d done 100 percent by myself in years, but then the songs just started flowing,” recalls Purcell, who has collaborated with artists like Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood and Blessing Offor. “It felt very divine. It was like the songs would finish themselves before I could even get it all out.”

Purcell, who grew up singing in church and cites Christian music as her first love, knew that if she was going back to her musical roots, she needed a strong extended team around her. “I felt like if I was going to partner with a label again, it had to be the right thing for me. Especially when, creatively, I feel like I’m really writing what I want to write, and I am singing how I want to sing. I’m not holding back the soul at all.”

Her new songs sparked Centricity Music’s interest, and they invited her to attend their coveted independent artist retreat. Shortly thereafter, they offered her a recording contract.

“Rachel’s standout vocal carries such heart and authenticity, and that lasts long after the music stops,” says Centricity Music’s A&R Manager, Stephen Floyd. “After spending time with her, we were struck by her incredible talent, genuine character, and how she connects with others. It quickly became clear she was someone we wanted to partner with.”

Poised to open her next chapter, fully stepping into Christian music, Purcell keeps her closest friends in the back of her mind as she’s creating new songs. “When I’m writing, I think about the working mom. I think of my girlfriends, who are juggling work and kids and home. They need something to lift them up. They need something to remind them how God feels about them,” she says. “They’re balancing their own family issues, traumas and just daily identity and value. And so I often ask myself, ‘What is the little bit of hope I can give a woman like that?’

“I don’t know why God has given me the opportunities He has or the platform He has,” continues Purcell, “but I really want to honor Him and do my best to be faithful to the calling He’s placed on my life in this season to write and record Christian music.”