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"A Mississippi girl don't change her ways," and country music sensation, Faith Hill, lives up to the words that echo from her stage. Born on September 21, 1967, near Jackson, Mississippi, Audrey Faith Perry was adopted shortly after birth and raised by Ted and Edna Perry in nearby Star, Mississippi. She was raised in a stable, Christian home where her talent for singing was recognized and nourished as early as age 7. Faith sang at churches, county fairs, and other local events before forming a band in which she sang at local rodeos.

At the age of 19, Faith moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a country music singer. Upon arrival, she auditioned to be a backup singer for Reba McEntire, but failed to get the job. Faith got work anywhere she could, selling t-shirts and working as a secretary at a music publishing firm. It was at the music publishing firm that she was accidentally discovered while singing to herself. The firm encouraged Faith to become a demo singer for the company, which eventually led to singing a solo deal with Warner Bros Records.

In 1988, Faith married music executive Dan Hill. "Hill," of course would be the surname that she would use when she became famous.

Faith Hill's debut album, "Take Me As I am," debuted in 1993 as the hit single "Wild One" soared to the top of the charts. She became the first female country singer in 30 years to hold a number one spot on the carts for 4 weeks in a row. "Take Me As I Am" sold over 2 million copies, and shortly after "Piece of My Heart" was released. Despite the music success, though, Faith found her marriage to Dan Hill falling apart. It ended in divorce in 1994.

In 1995, "It Matters To Me" was released and became an instant chart topper. It included the hit "I Can't Do That Anymore," which was written by country music singer, Alan Jackson. 1996 brought the "Spontaneous Combustion Tour" in which Faith performed the opening act for country music singer, Tim McGraw. It was on this tour that they fell in love, and eventually were married on October 6th, 1996.

Faith gave birth to the couples first child, Gracie Katherine McGraw, on May 5th, 1997. Taking the baby on the road with them, Faith released "This Kiss" in 1998, and gave birth to the couple's second child, Maggie Elizabeth, on August 12, 1998. "This Kiss" became a number one country hit, and even crossed over onto the Pop charts, peaking at number seven. The album sold over 6 million copies.

Yet to slow down, the album "Breath" was released in 1999. The single "The Way You Love Me" sent it to the top of the charts, and the album became certified 5x platinum by December of 2000. Faith was also nominated, and received the CMA's female vocalist of the year award.

Despite the ever rising fame, family life remained very important for Faith and her husband, Tim McGraw. They bring their children along with them on the road, and they have made a promise to never spend more than 3 consecutive days apart from one another. In December of 2001, Faith gave birth to their third daughter, Audrey. Faith took some time off for awhile following the birth, and then released "Fireflies" in 2005. She can be also be heard in a duet with Reba McEntire that came out in 2007. Faith sang with Reba in a duet called "Sleeping With The Telephone." Her latest album to date was released in October of 2007, called "The Hits".

Faith is a wonderful role model - a hard worker, a committed wife, and a loving mother to her children. She certainly still is the "Mississippi Girl" she was raised to be, and we can all expect no less than to hear voice at the tops of the charts for years to come.

Learn more about this author, Lana Sain.
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