Child Singing Prodigy Jumps into Christian Market
12-year-old vocal prodigy Bianca Ryan will release her album to the Christian market on 14 November, INO Records announced.
NBC's "America's Got Talent" winner Ryan won the first season's ratings-topping finale of "America's Got Talent" on 17 August. The show's finale was the No.1 rated show in its Thursday time-slot, averaging close to 12 million viewers. After her win, Ryan signed with Columbia Records/SYCO, an imprint of Simon Cowell, the show's executive producer.
Cowell recently stated, "Bianca Ryan is potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life."
Growing up in a Christian home in Philadelphia, Ryan's family immersed her in an environment rich with musical influences as well as her vocal foundation singing in the church choir. Her father, Shawn, was a previous member of a band playing guitar for various artists including Vickie Winans and Shirley Caesar.
She also grew up with the influence of Yolanda Adams and had the opportunity to sing with Adams during the competition, which Ryan exclaims as "an amazing moment for me".
"Sometimes I can't believe this is all actually happening," Ryan states. "This last year is proof of how God can make your dreams come true."
Ryan's debut will feature an array of new and already familiar material. She brings new life to the Debby Boone classic "You Light Up My Life", and the R Kelly hit "I Believe I Can Fly". Also covered is the Bette Midler's "The Rose", which showcases her vocal capacity and opens the self-titled debut.
New tracks include, "I Wish That", a ballad penned by Diane Warren accompanies the inspirational "Pray For A Better Day" which was written by David Foster and Kara DioGuardi. "Why Can't It Be Christmas Everyday?" is an original holiday track written by Walter Afanasieff and Jay Landers.
"I have been able to talk about God to other people during all of this," she shares about living out her faith. "I also have had a few times where I could respond to fan mail when they would ask me different questions like how I can sing so well, and I tell them how good God has been to me and my family and how my singing is a gift from Him."