By Matt Conner

It was the world’s most popular TV show that woke her up. And Essential Records has its newest artist because of the confidence that came from Randy, Paula and Simon.

Brooke Barrettsmith wields her guitar as passionately as her heart for God, although it was her vocal chops on “American Idol” that took her all the way to Hollywood. Though she missed the final cut, Essential Records knew a good thing when they heard it, signing Brooke to her first label deal.

CCM recently caught up with Brooke to discuss her new label home, her passion for God and her humble beginnings in the family band.

CCM: How do you go from playing in Chicago to Essential Records?

Brooke Barrettsmith: My sister and I grew up singing in my daddy’s church—my dad is my pastor here in Chicago, and we planted a church 10 years ago. We were very involved in music there, and I think early on my dad saw an acute passion in both of us to serve Christ in music. So we formed a group, my sister and I, and just started plugging away around Chicago at youth groups and events. My dad was our manager, and he’s a Chicago go-getter—the classic, forceful guy who makes things happen.

So we got serious about it and went from singing to tracks to playing our own instruments and writing our songs on our own independent albums. Then, some crazy fan sent a CD to Word Records, and someone there got a hold of it; and that’s how I met my current A&R guy at Essential because he was at Word at the time. He signed my sister and I to a developmental deal as a duo.

We worked with them for six months before parting ways because my sister and I felt the Lord calling us to do solo things, too. So we were all in mutual agreement there. For our last hurrah, we tried out for “American Idol” and made it all the way to Hollywood. We were on TV and everything in the audition room. It’s a cool part of my story because it gave me confidence to be my own entity and believe that I could do it on my own—the pursuit He had called me to.

After that, we kept in touch with Blaine Barcus who had moved to Essential at that point and had become the VP of A&R. When I got sent home from the Top 40 of “American Idol,” he wrote me back and said, “Are you ready to finally do this?” and I said, “Yes! I am finally ready!” They offered me a record deal, and then it took me a good year to write all the songs, and it represented 26 years of waiting.

CCM: Do you miss having your sister in on this?

Brooke: Sometimes I do, but she’s been so supportive. She came on the road with me during a Pillar tour in the spring as my road manager for a while, so we’re very supportive of one another. Doing music is something we’ll always have the opportunity to do.

CCM: As a 26-year-old making her debut, do you think you bring more life experience and perhaps a different perspective in your message than most new artists? Or have you even thought about that?

Brooke: I have thought of that. I think so, but I don’t put myself on a pedestal to the younger, newer artists. But because I am 26, I do have valuable life experience that they don’t have yet. The early 20s are so valuable to find out who you are in Christ and as a person, a woman especially. So there’s a maturity I bring to the table. I think that is an advantage God has given me. Maybe I can do more ministry-driven stuff. Plus, I’m glad I hadn’t made it here when I was 20. I wasn’t mature enough. I didn’t know who I was in the Lord. My priorities weren’t in order. Then again, I don’t feel I’m a debut artist, going at this for so many years. [Laughs] I’ve been at this a long time.

CCM: So what does Essential say they saw when you signed with them?

Brooke: They said they signed me because of my heart for the Lord, my passion for ministry. Music is just a means to be able to share the gospel. It’s a cool, awesome [way]…the best means possible to share with the world. I love rock music—it’s so cool. I sing powerfully and with passion, and they feel that matches up to my heart for the Lord. At least, that’s what they told me. [Laughs]

For more information, check out brookerocks.com.