Rebecca St. James Launches European Tour

Rebecca St. James is going back to Europe this week.

One of the most successful Christian artists in the world, she's excited about the prospect of again performing for European concert goers -a scenario she has repeated for audiences literally all over the world. . Pretty rarified stuff for an artist whose music has taken her to the heights of international popularity-and who just a scant two weeks ago won a coveted Dove Award for her portrayal of 'Maggie' a "girl of the streets" in the controversial rock opera musical "!Hero," which swept the States in a tour of multiple sell-outs last fall.

The Continent holds a special spot in Rebecca's heart from past touring. "We've visited Europe quite often now and have a real passion for touring over there," she noted in a recent interview. "I grew up in Australia which hardly ever gets any international performances. I know what it's like to live in a country where you read magazines and see all these tour dates-and I remember as a kid getting all excited with 'Oh...when is this tour coming to us!'...only to realize 'Oh it's only in America!' Or...'how cool is this band!'...and again they were only touring in America! So I can relate to how so many young Christians feel in Europe. We have invested a lot of time in going to Europe-as well as to Australia and New Zealand and I feel very passionate about the importance of continuing that. I'm excited about going back to over for this tour! The audiences are just so excited that someone would come so far to play for them. The enthusiasm is just awesome. I'm looking forward especially to going back to countries like Austria and Germany-we'v! e only been once each-and now getting to go back and establish a bit more of a relationship with the people there is going to be wonderful."

Noted Beth McKenzie, Vice-President of International Marketing & Sales for EMI/CMG parent company of Rebecca's music:

"Rebecca's commitment to international ministry over the years has been extraordinary. Her long term commitment to Europe, in particular, has made her one of the most popular Christian artists to this region. This will be Rebecca's fifth tour to Europe and as has been the case on previous tours, Rebecca is covering an impressive number of countries including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. We are very grateful for Rebecca's dedication to these international markets where we know that many lives will be impacted for the Lord through her ministry."

This time over she'll be doing concerts in ten countries in a little over twelve days. Regretful of not having more time for sightseeing during this time over, St. James vows to come back on her personal time-"someday when things slow down a bit," as she puts it. The whirlwind schedule that brings her to Europe is not an unusual agenda in her world of music and ministry.

The 'world' is one destination Rebecca St. James is definitely passionately running to reach.

At 26, she is both a Grammy Award winner and Dove Award recipient, with international success that has driven her record sales into the millions. The Australian-born St. James has often been called 'the definite voice in today's contemporary Christian music' since winning the coveted Grammy Award for "Best Christian Rock Album" for her album God. She has had nine #1 singles and eight major album projects that have become international bestsellers. Her book, "Wait for Me," reached the #1 spot on the CBA bestseller chart in 2003. In recent weeks, St. James has been a guest speaker at the White House, received 2004 Dove Award nominations as "Best Female Artist" and for "Special Event Album Of The Year" for Hero, and was named "Best Female Artist of 2004" by CCM Magazine. Recent television guest appearances include hosting the "Night Of Joy" special from Disneyworld for the Hallmark Channel, " Fox News Magazine," "Hannity & Colmes," and "Fox & Friends First," as well as guesting! on Sean Hannity's ABC Radio Network program. Typically seeing more than 800,000 fans at nearly 150 concerts each year, her highly publicized recent tours in the U.S. for both the rock opera musical "!Hero" and "The Adoration Tour" with Newsboy produced a series of sell-outs.

On May 12th the international outreach aspects of Rebecca St. James' music and ministry will launch in earnest for the schedule of European concerts that carry through May 25th. Among the cities/countries scheduled to host performances by Rebecca St. James are:

May 12: Paris, France
May 13: Belfast, Northern Ireland
May 14: Glasgow, Scotland
May 15: Alton Towers, England
May 17: Salzburg, Austria
May 18: Vienna, Austria
May 19: Switzerland
May 20: Himmelfahrt/Wustenrot, Germany
May 21: Mai Day/Minden, Germany
May 22: Apelddorn, Holland
May 23: Randers, Denmark
May 24: Denmark
May 25: Denmark

For further information, visit www.rsjames.com .