New Faces for Friday: Meet Hilary Weeks

Hilary Weeks grew up in Alaska, where she describes her life as "carefree and introspective." The beauty of the scenery surrounding her home drew her. She says, "Growing up I spent a lot of time in the forest next to our house. It overlooked the ocean and often I would see whales out in the distance. It is still one of my favorite places on Earth. I could go there to be alone and think and pray and try to figure out life. It was my own secret spot where I could commune with Heaven."

She wrote her first song at the age of 14 and she discovered that her favorite topics to write about were those devoted to the Gospel. She considered it a hobby and had no plans to become a bestselling, inspirational singer/songwriter. "If someone had told me after I wrote my first song, that I would someday release multiple CDs I wouldn’t have believed them," she says. "And if they had told me that I would sing those songs in front of thousands of people, I would have run. I never had dreams or plans of becoming a singer or songwriter. I just liked music. I loved it. It was just that simple."

Her first recorded song "He Hears Me was released on the Especially for Youth album in 1993. Three years later, her solo debut album followed. Also titled He Hears Me, the project garnered her the Inspirational Album of the Year Award by the Faith Centered Music Association. Her second album, Lead Me Home, followed in 1999. One year later, Hilary received Pearl Awards for Inspirational Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.

In 2009, Weeks added author to her already impressive resume.

With three books and nine solo albums under her belt, Hilary is still making music that honors God and enjoying life in Utah with her husband and four daughters. The wife and mom who became the first Latter Day Saint artist to break the top 10 on the Current Contemporary Christian Albums Billboard Chart, enjoys spending time with her family more than ever. "I love being with my family," she shares. "They are the best thing in my life. I have just been so incredibly blessed. And in addition to a happy, healthy family, somehow, through encouragement of wonderful friends, support of a loving family, and guidance from a patient Heavenly Father my road has also taken me on an incredible musical journey."

Her latest album, Say Love, is available on amazon.com and itunes.

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