Genuine (2000)

Genuine is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Stacie Orrico. It was released by ForeFront Records on August 29, 2000. Orrico worked with Michael W. Smith, Mark Heimermann, Tedd T. and Michael-Anthony Taylor on the album and co-wrote two tracks and wrote the final track "Dear Friend" by herself.

Genuine combines a balance of teen pop and R&B with inspirations of Destiny's Child and Christina Aguilera, rather than the sweetness (or lack there of) of Britney Spears. Orrico deals with tricky lyrical issues (insecurity, peer pressure, anorexia) while musically sustaining mainstream crossover appeal. The lead single "Don't Look At Me" was an out-of-the-box hit on Christian radio, particularly on Christian CHR, where it gave Orrico her first number one hit on The CCM Update's Christian CHR chart for seven weeks and was named the number one song of 2000 on that format. The title track and "With a Little Faith" were number one hits in early 2001 on CHR and AC, respectively. The track "Everything" was being worked on mainstream pop radio at the time. Music videos were made for "Everything" and "Genuine." Songwriters on the album include producers Tedd T., Heimermann and Taylor, plus Bob Farrell, Eddie DeGarmo and Out of Eden's Lisa Kimmey among others.

Genuine debuted and peaked at number 103 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart setting a record in first-week sales for a Christian female debut, selling 13,000 copies. It also reached number six on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

By March 2001, Genuine sold more than 200,000 units in its first six months of release. That same year, Orrico earned her first three Dove Award nominations for New Artist of the Year and "Don't Look At Me" was nominated for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, for which she co-wrote with producer Heimermann.

Track listing

1. Ride (Michael-Anthony Taylor) -3:05

2. Don't Look At Me (Stacie Orrico, Mark Heimermann) -3:37

3. 0.0 Baby (Michael-Anthony Taylor, Dan Needham, Scott Faircloff) -3:01

4. Without Love (Eddie DeGarmo, Tedd Tjornhom) -4:54

5. Stay True (Charity, Mark Heimermann) -3:19

6. Kum-ba-ya (interlude) -0:10

7. Genuine (Stacie Orrico, Tedd Tjornhom, Britt Huston) -5:01

8. With a Little Faith (Lisa Kimmey, Michael Quinlan, David Wyatt) -3:52

9. My Name (interlude) -0:29

10. So Pray (Michael-Anthony Taylor) -4:00

11. Holdin' On (Bob Farrell, Michael Quinlan) -4:32

12. You Restore My Soul (Ken Harrell) -5:07

13. Confidant (Charity, Mark Heimermann) -3:32

14. Everything (Michael-Anthony Taylor) -5:24

15. Replay (interlude) -0:12

16. Dear Friend (Stacie Orrico) -4:26

Production credits

Michael-Anthony Taylor -producer (tracks 1, 3, 10 and 14)

Mark Heimermann -producer (tracks 2, 5, 8 and 13)

Tedd T. -producer (tracks 4, 7, 11 and 12)

Michael W. Smith -producer and piano on track 16

Radio singles

2000 "Don't Look At Me" -#1 Christian CHR for 7 weeks, -#3 Christian AC

2000 -2001 "Genuine" -#1 Christian CHR for 2 weeks

2000 -2001 "With a Little Faith" -#1 Christian AC for 2 weeks

2001 "Without Love" -#8 R&R Christian CHR, -#13 R&R Christian AC

2001 "Stay True" -#11 R&R Christian CHR

Next release: Christmas Wish (EP) (2001)

Watch the music video of "Genuine" here:

Watch the music video of "Everything" here: