Jackson native Kristin Schweain releases solo gospel CD

Musicians draw inspiration from many outlets, but local singer/songwriter Kristin Schweain credits her inspiration to her faith in God, which she has felt since she was a child.

"As long as I can remember, I have been singing in church and feel my faith is a huge part of my life," she said. "It not only sets how I view life, but I also put it into my songs."

Schweain has spent the last year recording her first solo album "Days of Eden" in Nashville, Tenn. The finished CD hit shelves Tuesday. Along with the debut of her album, she is excited to be back in her hometown of Jackson, where she has taken a position as the associate music director at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

"It's so nice to come home. I love Nashville, but we really felt we needed to somewhere and plant our roots," Schweain said. "My heart is connected here, because it's where I grew up and met my husband in high school."

Schweain and her daughter Stella have grown a lot since last July when she began recording the album. "She was only 5 months old at the time," Schweain said. "I did the album in chunks and didn't do it in one sitting, so she grew up, her first year and a half, being a real part of that whole process."

Before approaching a music career as a solo artist, Schweain recorded and toured with Christian pop band ZOEgirl for seven years. She said ZOEgirl allowed her dream to become a performing artist to come true.

"It was an incredible opportunity and has further helped me grow as a person, writer and believer, in so many ways," she said.

She collaborated on songs with ZOEgirl, but many of the original songs on her new album are ones she wrote years ago, including the album's title track "Days of Eden."

"It was written the first year I was with ZOEgirl, but I knew it wasn't right for that group," Schweain said. "So it's exciting to be on my own and share all these songs that have been in my heart for years, as well as the new ones that I have put so much of my heart into."

She said one way that she makes her songs are heartfelt is by approaching them with honesty and sincerity.

"I have questions and struggles just like everyone else. I hope people feel a connection to the messages in the songs and are able to look at life in a different way."

For more information about Kristin Schweain or to purchase her new album, go to www.kristinschweain.com.