November 21, 2009 |
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Jaci Velasquez: ‘God’s love is the reason that I sing’The noted Christian singer will perform after the Florida Marlins game Aug. 16. 
Courtesy Photo MIAMI | Reached by phone at her home in Nashville, Tenn., Jaci Velasquez paused to juggle the dual responsibilities of being a working mom. She was trying to put her 9–month–old son to sleep. But perhaps she could keep him calm long enough for a brief interview. A singer since age 9 who signed her first record contract at age 14, the Dove Award–winning, Billboard chart–topping, Grammy–nominated artist says she defines success differently since becoming a mom. “Prior to my husband and my son, my success was how many No. 1 singles and how many records I sold,” she told the Florida Catholic. “Now my gauge for success is very different. If I can get my son to not drop Cheerios the entire time we’re sitting in public at a restaurant that would be great.” Listen to Jaci VelasquezVelasquez, 28, a native of Houston, is married to fellow Christian performer Nic Gonzales of the Latin/pop band Salvador (Savior). When she takes the stage Aug. 16 after the Florida Marlins–Chicago Cubs game, she will be the first Christian artist to perform at the Marlins’ Super Saturday concert series, keeping company with acts like El Gran Combo and singer Willy Chirino. Father Alberto Cutié, general director of Pax Catholic Communications and pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Miami Beach, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the game. “Jaci Velasquez offers us a great performer who is well–known in both the general and Hispanic markets,” said Juan Martinez, Hispanic sales and marketing manager for the Marlins. “She has had successful hits in English and Spanish” and her songs still get airplay on Spanish adult contemporary stations. Martinez said other major league baseball teams — notably the Texas Rangers — have had great success with Christian concerts. “We were unable to schedule a well–known Christian artist last season and finally secured Jaci for this show,” he explained, noting that this is the Marlins’ second season offering Super Saturday concerts. Admission is free for those who purchase tickets to the game. Attendance on Super Saturdays averages between 20,000 and 25,000, Martinez said. “Our fan base is approximately 40 percent Hispanic, so half of our Super Saturday performers are Latin–music oriented,” he said. Velasquez, whose mother was raised Catholic, describes herself as “nondenominational.” She says “the message of God’s love” is always at the center of her music. “I’ve always known that my calling was to sing songs about God, my relationship with God, the love that God brings to my life.” That is true even of her more commercial hits, such as “Como Se Cura Una Herida” (“How To Heal the Wound”), Billboard’s No. 1 most–played Latin song of 2001, which talks about love and relationships. “God created all those things. I hope that I do the job of reflecting God’s love,” Velasquez said. “That’s why I sing and that’s what I hope that people will get from my music. Otherwise I’d rather be staying at home taking care of my son. For me, God’s love is the reason that I sing.” WHERE TO GO• Super Saturdays feature pregame parties at the Strike Zone at Gate H, parking lot giveaways for the first 5,000 cars and interactive giveaways for the first 15,000 fans to arrive at the stadium. After the game, fans are treated to fireworks and the concert. • On Aug. 16, all Catholic ticketholders ages 13–23 who arrive by 5 p.m. will be guaranteed an opportunity to audition for God Squad Communications’ second annual Voice of An Angel contest. • For information and tickets to the Jaci Velasquez concert and the Voice of An Angel auditions, go to www.encounterwithgod.com/angel.htm.
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