My Middle School Self

Let me just say that the fact that this news is true and the fact that it is now public knowledge makes my current self very very happy. And, it makes my middle school self ecstatic!

When I was in fifth or sixth grade, I had a portable cassette player and one cassette tape that I listened to over and over again. I would sing along to the music. Praising God. Imagining I was her. Pretending. Enjoying. Loving. Escaping. Many times I would be listening in a hospital waiting room. My Aunt was very ill. We would go visit her. I couldn’t go in. So, I would wait. I don’t remember how many times we did this. But, in my mind, it was often. Often that I would be transported to this place of worship and wonder and this lovely voice and beautiful music.

This is why this news is so special to me and is really just another incredible chapter to this amazing story.

The very first time I headed off to church camp for the week at Camp Columbus (late elementary or early middle school), I packed a background cassette tape in my sleeping bag and when it came time to have “talent night” I was ready. I sang my heart out. “Angels watching over me. Every step I take. Angels watching over me!” Her music has been a part of my entire life. And now we have made music in the very same places with the same people. God is amazing. What a story. I can’t wait to hear “How Mercy Looks From Here.”

PreOrder on iTunes

My photo with Marshall working…taken by my friend, Holly

This is from Amy’s facebook music page

at the front door of the studio in Nashville

New News – March 11, 2013

I am not going to lie. This has been a little bit of a tough road. Not so tough that I feel sorry for myself. Believe me when I say that I know I am blessed beyond words and I am so very grateful for all God has given me in this life. I am so blessed that I literally overflow with thanksgiving and praises. That is how I became a Psalmist, a songwriter, a lover of music. As we keep moving, keep praising, keep writing, keep sharing, keep hoping, God gives me words of encouragement along the way. I need those. In this business, I feel like there is a lot of reaching out and not as much reaching back. So, it can leave an artist feeling a bit empty. But, I want to encourage you knowing that He uses you, my friends and he uses new friends and fans who are just discovering who Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam is. (How do you say that name anyway?) His music and His message is moving. Today, I discovered that my song, The Glory of It All is in “hot rotation” on Elijah Streams iRadio for the month of March 2013, which you can listen to on iTunes radio. In no particular order my song is listed right between Daniel Bashta and David Crowder. Not bad company. Not bad at all. It’s exciting to know that the music is being heard and is moving people. I’ve listed more encouraging news below. Please continue to pray for me and my family and for the music to reach those that God intends for it to reach. His Will be done! I love you all and thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Much love. xoxo, Rebekah

The Glory of It All by Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam, Album- Radiant You
Top 20 Songs, March 2013

 

BIO and CURRENT NEWS-
3/11/2013
Born and raised in a suburb of Houston, Texas, contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam (pronounced Hawk-um) returned home to Houston from Los Angeles, California in 2004. It was then that the deeply passionate El-Hakam started a family and began to focus her attention on music and community. What followed was a plethora of new songs, worship services and concerts. In late 2011, El-Hakam caught the attention of Nashville-based record producer, Marshall Altman (Amy Grant, Brooke Fraser, Audrey Assad). She collaborated with Altman on her debut effort, a full-length album, Radiant You, which released on September 21, 2012.

Radiant You has been met with much critical acclaim.

NewReleaseTuesday exclaims “Together, Rebekah and Altman have a created a dazzling, remarkable record with a wonderful purity of heart.” Adding the “title track “Radiant You” is arrestingly beautiful! The song’s inventive, effervescent music captures the shinging purity of God’s love for us. Rebekah’s voice is sunny, bright, and brimming with jubilance…You’re bound to want to put this one on repeat!”

ChristianMusicZine declares, “Rebekah’s debut is one to savour and her piano focused pieces are sure to win over the hearts of many, with the lead single “The Glory Of It All” a vertical worship song to Jesus sung with so much emotion! I’d imagine in the near future, this song would make it’s way to big radio stations like K-Love or Air1. Well done Rebekah for a thought provoking debut- it’s clear that you are a star in the making!”

AlphaOmegaNews says “the soaring pop vocals give your spirit a lift.” Closing by saying “while I have been wholly impressed with the quality of writing and production of this album, I am more impressed with Rebekah’s apparent drive. As a wife and mother of 4 children, Rebekah has a lot to balance and she’s done a wonderful job on her latest CD. “Radiant You” is a simple, but meaningful worship experience laced with an occasional burst of bubbly pop tunes.”

Derek Open Eyes writes “contemporary worship..reverent..some pretty good beats and the pace is nice and the vocals are quite good as well…”RadiantYou” -my favorite…so carefree and the painted canvas of light in this song is quite amazing!”

WCSE Radio in Connecticut and available 24 hrs a day on iTunes Radio has added three songs from Radiant You to rotation: For You (the featured download from FREECCM.com in January 2013), Be My Vision and This is My Prayer.

ElijahStreams iRadio available on iTunes Radio added The Glory of it All to their rotation in late February 2013. The Glory of it All is in “hot rotation” and is a top 20 song for the month of March 2013.

#394 – “Radiant You” by Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam | BEHIND THE SONG WITH KEVIN DAVIS | NewReleaseTuesday.com

Radiant You is featured for BEHIND THE SONG WITH KEVIN DAVIS weekly devotional on NewReleaseTuesday.com Click the link below to check it out. Kevin did a great job describing the message behind the song and sharing my inspiration. Be blessed.
Love,
Rebekah

#394 – "Radiant You" by Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam | BEHIND THE SONG WITH KEVIN DAVIS | NewReleaseTuesday.com.

Yesterday I felt a hole in my heart…

Probably the most “bubbly” of tunes on my album starts this way. It’s a moment of pure truth for me. Even after accepting Jesus as my Savior, there was a time, not so long ago that I felt that hole in my heart. That emptiness. The one that is all consuming. You know the one. We’ve all felt it and we’ve all tried to fill it. For me, it was mostly relationships where I sought to be fulfilled. Counting on another person. Hoping that another person would help me to be the person that God intended for me to be.
It never worked. Not until I hit rock bottom. Literally. My whole world was upside down and there was no one I could fully depend on. No one. No one except God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t until there was no where else that I could turn, that my life changed. Completely. My dream coming true was growing closer to Him. Knowing that was the only relationship that I could put my all into and be completely satisfied from. And, I did. And, I am. I don’t have life all figured out. But, I know who does and I depend completely on Him. My “dream coming true.”

Reflections 2012

When one year comes to an end and another begins. Reflections. Thoughts from the year past and hopes for the one just begun.
Last year was amazing. Things happened and God showed up in ways I honestly never dreamed possible. Never dreamed. I often say that they are God’s dreams and hopes and He is certainly to credit for bringing them to life.
I believe that with all of my heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares The Lord.
These are the promises I am holding tightest to now. The wonders of 2012 bring more excitement and along with that, uncertainty. I don’t know what God’s plans are for me and my family this year. But, I know that He has plans for us. Amazing plans. Hopeful plans. My job is to seek Him, call on Him, pray, find and be found in Him. I couldn’t imagine a better existence than one that seeks God and finds Him.
My prayer is that You will seek Him and by seeking Him, you will find Him and be found.
It’s going to be a special year. Happy seeking, friends!

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we are still focusing on what we are thankful for. We spent thanksgiving day with our families. We always have lunch at my cousin’s house, affectionately called The Thanksgiving House by my children. And, we spend thanksgiving dinner time with my husband’s family. It is a wonderful day full of tradition and lots of love.
Yesterday, I cleaned. My children watched movies and I cleaned. I can’t decorate for Christmas until cleaning, so I cleaned. The trees will go up today.
And, we’ll celebrate love at the wedding of two friends this afternoon.
And, then it’s back to school, the start of Advent, a birthday celebration for our six year old son, lots of Christmas concerts, doctors visits, worship services, New music, activities, recitals, rehearsals, homework and then we’ll pause again and take in The true meaning of Christmas. I can hardly wait for the break.
Enjoy this holiday weekend. And, please share my promotion above. 15% off everything in my store through Sunday. I love sharing music with you.  I’m thankful for you.
-Rebekah

Launching of my new website today!

My new webpage will be up and running at http://www.rebekahme.com later today!

I will still keep this wordpress blog and hope to have more time to post soon.

Check out this glowing review from New Release Tuesday, posted today! http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/userprofile_reviewssinglepost.php?review_id=20722&user_id=59301

If you haven’t had a chance to download the record, read this and hopefully you’ll be encouraged to do so today! I am blessed and humbled by such affirming and kind words. 

It is wonderful seeing how God is using my first album for His Glory. 

Much love to you all,

Rebekah