Artist:Evie
Song:Pass It On
Album:Gentle Moments
Evie Tornquist was probably the most popular CCM singer until Amy Grant came along in the 80s. I find her music a little too easy listening for me. She had success in the 70s. I think she's forgotten even by CCM fans. She was born Mar. 29, 1956 in Rahway, NJ. Her parents were Norwegian immigrants. Evie grew up singing in church and she returned to Norway frequently with her parents. She was 14 when she was asked to appear on a Norwegian variety show. She became a big star in Norway. While in high school, Evie traveled to Norway once a month to make appearances. When Word Records found out about her success, they signed Evie to a record deal in 1974. Today we would call her music CCM. That name didn't exist back then so Word called Evie's music "Inspirational". She's 17 years old and they don't even aim her music at young people. It's aimed at an older crowd. She worked with Swedish producer Lennart Sjoholm. I guess Word liked her music. They just needed it to be in English. Pass It On is from the 1976 album Gentle Moments. It's typical of Evie's music. I don't like it but this is what Word wanted. The album is available as a digital download. She was doing OK and then she married Swedish pastor Pelle Karlsson. Evie moved to Sweden and retired in 1981. She said in interviews she is very happy as a pastor's wife. Popular CCM singer Rebecca St. James credits Evie as an influence. As I said, she's forgotten today. She was inducted into The Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Here's Evie performing Pass It On on a 1976 Billy Graham show. These are the kind of appearances she made at her peak. Thanks to the British website Cross Rhythms for much of the Evie info. They are a great source for CCM and gospel.
No comments:
Post a Comment