BarlowGirl

{{Short description|American Christian rock band}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2020}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = BarlowGirl

| image = BarlowGirlWithFan12052005.jpg

| caption = BarlowGirl with fan (from left to right: Lauren, fan, Rebecca and Alyssa).

| image_size =

| alias =

| origin = Elgin, Illinois, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

| years_active = 1999–2012

| label = Fervent

| associated_acts =

| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20150707124829/http://www.barlowgirl.com/ Archive of BarlowGirl.com]

| current_members =

| past_members = * Alyssa Barlow

  • Lauren Barlow
  • Rebecca Barlow

}}

BarlowGirl was an American Christian rock and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) all-female band from Elgin, Illinois. The band was composed of sisters Alyssa (lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards), Lauren (co-lead vocals, drums) and Rebecca (guitar, backing vocals) Barlow. The band is best known for its radio singles "Never Alone" in 2004 and "I Need You to Love Me" in 2006, breaking records for the longest-charting No. 1 song on the Radio and Records Christian Hit Radio (CHR) chart[http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/barlowgirl/ Biography at YourMusicZone.com]. Retrieved July 16, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234555/http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/barlowgirl/ |date=September 26, 2007 }} and obtaining millions of views for their music videos on YouTube.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/BarlowGirlMusic |title=barlowgirlmusic |last=BarlowGirl |via=YouTube |access-date=February 3, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/WordLabelGroup/videos?sort=p |title=WordLabelGroup |last=Word Records |author-link=Word Records |via=YouTube |access-date=February 3, 2017}} The band also saw continued success with their Home for Christmas album.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/barlowgirl/chart-history/christian-streaming-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219072845/https://www.billboard.com/music/barlowgirl/chart-history/christian-streaming-songs |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |title=BarlowGirl Chart History |date=December 15, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 18, 2018}} The band exceeded sales of one million compact discs by the end of 2008{{Cite web |url=http://jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/02/20.WINTER%20JAM%202008%20ATTRACTS%20MORE%20FANS%20THAN%20EVER%20BEFORE.asp |title=WINTER JAM 2008 ATTRACTS MORE FANS THAN EVER BEFORE |last=The M Collective |date=February 20, 2008 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout |location=Nashville, TN |access-date=February 3, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/07/21.BARLOWGIRL%20TO%20RELEASE%20FOURTH%20PROJECT%20SEPTEMBER%2022%20LOVE%20AND%20WAR.asp |title=MILLION-SELLING AND TEN-TIME DOVE NOMINATED, BARLOWGIRL, TO RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FOURTH PROJECT SEPTEMBER 22, 2009, LOVE & WAR |last=Bozeman Media |date=July 21, 2009 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout |location=Nashville, TN |access-date=February 3, 2017}} and finished its career with over 1 million digital song downloads and 1.3 million compact disc sales.{{Cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-barlow-75932111 |title=Vince Barlow |last=Barlow |first=Vincent |publisher=LinkedIn |access-date=February 3, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/news/default.asp?newsID=70 |title=GMA Music Awards |date=February 2, 2006 |website=BarlowGirl.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212144036/http://barlowgirl.com/news/default.asp?newsID=70 |archive-date=February 12, 2006 |access-date=January 13, 2017}}

In October 2012, BarlowGirl announced that they were "retiring the band".{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/farewell |title=A Note From BarlowGirl |date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=BarlowGirl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103005133/http://www.barlowgirl.com/farewell |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |access-date=October 24, 2012}}

History

=Early years=

The Barlows' father, Vince Barlow, created youth CDs at his church, Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. He was hired to perform at events all over the United States. He brought his daughters as his backup band in the late 1990s. BarlowGirl began writing songs and performing them at his performances. The trio stopped touring with their father when Rebecca and Alyssa began college, but they did perform at his nearby concerts. The trio had written around ten songs by 2002.

The Barlow sisters were given a paid trip to the Gospel Music Association's Music in the Rockies seminar at Estes Park, Colorado, in mid-2002. The sisters were not informed that the seminar was a record industry event for unsigned artists, nor that it was a competition. They reached the finals of the event. Record companies became interested in the sisters after word of mouth spread about the seminar.{{Cite web |url=http://music.yahoo.com:80/ar-310014-bio--Barlowgirl |title=Barlowgirl Biography on Yahoo! Music |last=Word Music Group |date=December 17, 2005 |publisher=Yahoo! Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217115443/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-310014-bio--Barlowgirl |archive-date=December 17, 2005 |df=mdy-all}}

The group's name became famous before the group released their first CD. The group Superchick included a song titled "Barlow Girls" on their initial release, Karaoke Superstars, as a tribute to the actual Barlow sisters and their stand for purity, and effectively introduced the sisters to the music world.[http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/BarlowGirl.asp Review of self-titled debut CD] at Jesus Freak Hideout

The sisters were signed to Fervent Records on October 14, 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/cs/artistprofiles/a/aapf_barlowgirl.htm |title=Profile at |publisher=Christianmusic.about.com |access-date=October 24, 2012 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075401/http://christianmusic.about.com/cs/artistprofiles/a/aapf_barlowgirl.htm |url-status=dead }} The band's name, BarlowGirl, is written and capitalized in camel case for branding.

= ''BarlowGirl'' and "Never Alone" (2004) =

Image:Barlowgirllive.JPG

BarlowGirl released their first studio album BarlowGirl on February 24, 2004. The album included the longest-running No. 1 song in 2004 on R&R's CHR and CRW's Rock charts, "Never Alone" was named Song of the Year on each of these charts. The CD had sold over 250,000 units by April 2005,{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/news/default.asp?newsID=41 |title=Word Records Announces Addition of Fervent Records |date=May 6, 2005 |website=BarlowGirl.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104010219/http://www.barlowgirl.com/news/default.asp?newsID=41 |archive-date=November 4, 2005 |access-date=January 13, 2017}} and featured the singles "Never Alone" and "Mirror". These No. 1 songs earned the trio four 2005 Gospel Music Association (GMA) awards (formerly the Dove Award) nominations, including the Best New Artist award, Best Rock Song, and Rock Album. The trio was the bestselling new Christian artist of 2004. BarlowGirl received a 2006 GMA award nomination for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year for "Mirror". "Never Alone" was also featured on the WOW Hits 2005 CD.

The CD also featured a hidden track titled "Image", which listeners could only obtain via digital download by loading the CD into their computers and accessing a hidden website. It is the first of two occurrences where oldest sister and guitarist Rebecca sings a solo. She sings the middle part of each verse.

There is also a Family Christian exclusive version which contains the bonus track, "We Pray", which, among others, also features artists Mandisa, Jackson Waters, and Rebecca St. James.

{{clear}}

= ''Another Journal Entry'' and "I Need You to Love Me" (2005–2006) =

Their second album, Another Journal Entry, was released on September 27, 2005. The album debuted at No. 3 on Soundscan's Christian album chart, and had reached eighty-five on Billboard's Top 200 Current Albums chart by October 10, 2005. The trio was nominated for three additional 2006 GMA awards - "Group of the Year", "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year", and "Rock Recorded Song of the Year" for "Let Go".

The trio are featured as guest vocalists on Big Daddy Weave's No. 1 radio single, "You're Worthy of My Praise", from their 2005 album What I Was Made For.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WhatIWasMadeFor.asp |title=Big Daddy Weave, "What I Was Made For" Review |date=July 26, 2005 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |access-date=November 1, 2012}}

The first single from the album, "Let Go", exceeded 200,000 downloads as the iTunes Store free single of the week. Their next single from the album, "I Need You to Love Me", quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Weekend 22 countdown in April 2006. The single held on to the No. 1 position on the R&R Christian Hit Radio chart for 9 weeks, and the CRW Christian Hit Radio chart for a record 13 weeks.[http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?sectionID=30&ID=184 1cubed.com] "BarlowGirl's 'I Need You To Love Me' Breaks Radio Record" June 19, 2006 The single was the most played song of 2006 on Christian Hit Radio as played on the Weekend 22.As played on the January 7, 2007 Weekend 22 countdown The band filmed a music video for their hit song "Never Alone" for release on mainstream radio and music video television channels, but it did not chart in the mainstream.

The members of BarlowGirl were the youth ambassadors for the National Day of Prayer in 2007. They recorded the song "We Pray" (written by Clint Lagerberg and Otto Price) for the event, along with other artists such as Rebecca St. James. The song is available on the Family Christian exclusive version of their self-titled album.

BarlowGirl released Another Journal Entry: Expanded Edition in August 2006 including five bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of previous songs ("On My Own", "I Need you to Love Me", "Porcelain Heart"), a radio edit version of "Never Alone" and one new song, "For the Beauty of the Earth". The latter was included on the soundtrack of the 2006 film The Nativity Story. Also included on the enhanced CD was their "Never Alone" music video.

= ''How Can We Be Silent'' and ''Home for Christmas'' (2007–2008) =

BarlowGirl again recorded with producer Otto Price for their third studio album How Can We Be Silent. The album was released on July 24, 2007. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Chart and No. 40 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart, making it the first album by an all-female rock band to reach the top 40 on the Billboard 200 since "Everything" by the Bangles in 1989. Similarly to Another Journal Entry, this album was released in a special edition variant known as How Can We Be Silent Premium Edition. It was released concurrently with the regular edition, adding a new cover sleeve and bundling a 45-minute DVD. Singles from the album performed poorly on radio compared to earlier singles. The first, "Here's My Life", was released in June 2007. It peaked at No. 12 on R&R's Christian contemporary hit radio charts and at No. 29 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. "Million Voices" and "I Believe In Love" were released later that year, with no chart history available.

By 2008, BarlowGirl sold over one million compact discs. The band announced that it was back in the studio recording a Christmas album in March and April 2008. Home for Christmas was released on September 26, 2008. It peaked at No 180 on the Billboard 200 No. 15 on the Christian Albums chart and No. 2 on the 2008 Holiday Albums chart.{{Cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=barlowgirl|chart=all}} |title=BarlowGirl – Home for Christmas |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 1, 2012}} The song "Carol of the Bells/Sing We Now of Christmas" on the album became one of the top 20 most downloaded Christmas songs on iTunes holiday section at one point in 2008.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/HomeForChristmas.asp |title=BarlowGirl, "Home For Christmas" Review |last=Lauren Summerford |date=September 21, 2008 |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=December 13, 2008}}

In April 2008, the band Inhabited mentioned BarlowGirl in an "uncensored" remix of its "Hush" single.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/05/10.INHABITED%20ADDRESSES%20CONTROVERSY%20OVER%20HUSH%20REMIX.asp |title=INHABITED ADDRESSES CONTROVERSY OVER "HUSH" REMIX |date=May 10, 2008 |website=JesusFreakHideout |access-date=April 3, 2017}} Inhabited released the album The Revolution in 2005 with then-fellow record label Fervent Records, but left the label in 2007 and signed with 7Spin Music for its album Love in 2008. The remix, which was a free download, included lyrics such as "We're gonna beat that system in a round about way / Won't make sucky music so my records will play" and "Something more like BarlowGirl, do something right / Ain’t got nothing against ‘em but it just ain’t me", causing controversy in the Christian music community.{{Cite web |url=http://www.patrolmag.com/2008/05/13/inhabited-vs-barlowgirl/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404130354/http://www.patrolmag.com/2008/05/13/inhabited-vs-barlowgirl/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |title=Inhabited vs. BarlowGirl |last=Wofford |first=John |date=May 13, 2008 |website=Patrol |access-date=April 3, 2017}} Inhabited responded by saying: "it wasn't to bash or put them down, it just says our art is a different style. They have achieved great success, and we would wish them no less! Lastly, […] we thought [we made] a fun, cool remix. We have always been straightforward with our lyrics and always will be."{{Cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Inhabited_Pushing_through_the_controversy_of_an_uncensored_song/31938/p1/ |title=Inhabited: Pushing through the controversy of an "uncensored" song - Inhabited |last=Martin |first=Susanne |date=June 21, 2008 |website=Cross Rhythms |access-date=April 3, 2017}}

BarlowGirl partnered with Dannah Gresh from Secret Keeper Girl to release an audio devotional, 8 Great Dates for You and Your Daughter, Kit 2: Friendship Pak, in 2008.{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Dannah-Gresh-BarlowGirl-Secret-Keeper-Girl/release/8508019 |title=Secret Keeper Girl |last=Dannah Gresh, BarlowGirl |year=2008 |publisher=discogs |access-date=July 9, 2017}} The devotional was re-released as 8 Great Dates: Talking with Your Daughter About Best Friends and Mean Girls in 2013.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Slr8moYLkG8C&q=barlowgirl&pg=PA1 |title=Talking with Your Daughter About Best Friends and Mean Girls |last=Gresh |first=Dannah |year=2013 |isbn=9780736955294 |access-date=July 9, 2017}}

= ''Love & War'' and ''Our Journey... So Far'' (2009–2011)=

BarlowGirl's most recent album, Love & War, was released on September 8, 2009. The song "Beautiful Ending" is on this album. BarlowGirl made a website for users to submit their beautiful ending.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/releases/default.asp#sept09 |title=Upcoming Album Release Dates |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622151043/http://jesusfreakhideout.com/releases/default.asp |archive-date=June 22, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2009}} "Beautiful Ending" is the album's lead single. It peaked at No. 28 Billboard magazine's Christian Songs chart in November 2009{{Cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=barlowgirl|chart=Christian Songs}} |title=BarlowGirl Christian Songs chart |magazine=Billboard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211200807/http://www.billboard.com/ |archive-date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=February 13, 2010 |df=mdy}} and reached the No. 3 position on the Christian contemporary hit radio charts. The second song "Stay With Me" was released in early 2010.

About a year after the release of Love & War, BarlowGirl released Our Journey... So Far on September 14, 2010. It contains songs from all of their previous albums, plus a FredTown Manilla remix of their greatest hit single to date "I Need You to Love Me."

= Band retiring and "Hope Will Lead Us On" (2012) =

The sisters drafted new music in 2011, planning to return to the studio that year or in early 2012, though "Hope Will Lead Us On" would only be recorded much later after being initially previewed in concerts.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/05/post_40.html |title=BarlowGirl: Sisters still living at home -- walking the straight and narrow |last=DeBoer |first=Terry |date=May 11, 2011 |work=The Muskegon Chronicle |access-date=February 23, 2018}} From August 27 to 29, 2012, Alyssa Barlow shared some behind-the-scenes photos of the studio recording of "Hope Will Lead Us On" on Instagram.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O1idk8kbkP/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O1idk8kbkP |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 27, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Amazing morning before heading to the studio...}}{{cbignore}} Lauren returned to the drums,{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O4YY-jEbm8/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O4YY-jEbm8 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 28, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=And so it begins...}}{{cbignore}} Alyssa returned to the piano{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O5HJoaEbnL/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O5HJoaEbnL |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 28, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Yes that stared at me the entire time I tracked piano..you're welcome for the nightmares.}}{{cbignore}} and Rebecca returned to the guitar.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O7ZbbKEbhu/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O7ZbbKEbhu |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 29, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Yeah she's pretty much amazing...}}{{cbignore}} On October 24, 2012, BarlowGirl announced that it would be "retiring the band", without elaborating on any future plans. On Monday, October 29, 2012, the trio made its final public appearance as with a live online chat and acoustic session where they premiered their final song "Hope Will Lead Us On".{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/news/2012/10/26/live-chat-monday-october-29 |title=Live Chat On Monday, October 29 |publisher=BarlowGirl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120051159/http://www.barlowgirl.com/news/2012/10/26/live-chat-monday-october-29 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=November 2, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}

Musical style

BarlowGirl was known as a Christian rock band. Their style included three-part harmony mixed with rock guitars. Their songs ranged from ballads to guitar rock.

The ladies' lineup during their initial years featured Rebecca on guitar, Alyssa on bass, and Lauren on drums. BarlowGirl was therefore a power trio. During the Love & War era, however, Alyssa identified solely as a singer and keyboardist.{{Cite book |title=Inspired by Tozer |last=Barlow |first=Lauren |date=October 20, 2011 |publisher=Regal |isbn=978-0-8307-5929-3 |location=Ventura |page=170}}{{Better source needed|date=November 2014|reason=This is a devotional book, not a reliable source on music.}} This also occurred in some of BarlowGirl's older music as an example of breaking the power trio mold.

Lauren notes that she and her sisters listened to 50s and 60s music while growing up. The band lists the Beatles and the Mamas & the Papas as major influences because of their vocal harmonies.{{Cite web |url=http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/barlowgirl/features/one-to-watch-barlow-girl/ |title=One to Watch: Barlow Girl |last=Urbanski |first=Dave |date=May 10, 2004 |website=Today's Christian Music |publisher=CCM Magazine |access-date=November 16, 2016}} Before being known as BarlowGirl, the first song composed by the band was "You Know", which was only played live and was themed after "MMMBop" by Hanson.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNSfTUoThdw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/kNSfTUoThdw |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=BarlowGirl Part 1 on The Revolution TV |last=Vazquez |first=Kat |date=January 24, 2011 |publisher=The Revolution TV |access-date=March 25, 2017}}{{cbignore}} The song "Our Worlds Collide" on BarlowGirl's Love & War album was influenced by the Beatles,{{Cite web |url=http://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=494 |title=#184 - "Our Worlds Collide" by BarlowGirl |last=Davis |first=Kevin |website=newreleasetoday.com |publisher=New Release Today |access-date=August 23, 2017}} which was further reflected in live performances when the sisters preceded that song with a segue, a portion of "If I Fell" by the boy band. BarlowGirl performed an a cappella cover of "I Will" by the Beatles to Ustream during their final online concert in 2012, indicating that it was the first song that they learned to harmonize to.{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26530701 |title=BarlowGirl LIVE Farewell Chat - 10/29, BarlowGirl's farewell chat and live performance! |date=October 29, 2016 |last=BarlowGirl |time=37:00 |access-date=November 24, 2016 |website=Ustream}}

Legacy

Jamie Grace cites BarlowGirl and its debut album as a key influence in her music. Specifically, she enjoys the songs "She Walked Away", "Mirror", "Clothes" and "Never Alone".{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9Fer6Tx5A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Sq9Fer6Tx5A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Inspiration of '91 (Barlow Girl, Everlife, & More) - Jamie Grace's New Album [Part 2] |last=Grace |first=Jamie |date=August 4, 2017 |via=YouTube |access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}} Jen Ledger of Skillet is also a BarlowGirl fan.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/zyxROxAo5T/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/zyxROxAo5T |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Instagram post |last=Ledger |first=Jen |date=March 4, 2015 |website=Instagram |access-date=September 20, 2017 |quote=Today I got to catch up with a friend I haven't seen in years! We met back on my first ever tour with skillet:) @laurenbarlow it was so nice to see you!!!}}{{cbignore}}

Members

File:AlyssaBarlow2005.jpg|Alyssa Barlow

File:Lauren Barlow.jpg|Lauren Barlow

File:Barlow Girl.jpg|Rebecca and Alyssa Barlow

{{expand section | reason = The information on each BarlowGirl is very limited. There's nothing about what they're up to today or what they believe, for example. | small = no | date = January 2016}}

=Alyssa Barlow=

Alyssa Katherine Nicole Barlow (born January 4, 1982) was the bass guitarist and keyboardist for BarlowGirl.{{Cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/cs/artistprofiles/a/aapf_barlowgirl.htm |title=Who is BarlowGirl? - Profile of Christian Rock Band BarlowGirl |publisher=Christianmusic.about.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075401/http://christianmusic.about.com/cs/artistprofiles/a/aapf_barlowgirl.htm |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}} She also splits lead vocals with her sister Lauren. Alyssa was homeschooled from the fourth grade on.[http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/notyouraveragegirls.php The Old Schoolhouse BarlowGirl interview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011203113/http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/notyouraveragegirls.php |date=October 11, 2008 }}

When Alyssa was 17, she was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), following a sprained ankle. Barlow initially gave up when the doctors told her she would never walk normally again.{{Cite web |url=http://www.positivelyfeminine.org/spiritual/ah/alyssabarlow.htm |title=Alyssa Barlow: Not the Same Old Song and Dance |last=Amy Hammond Hagberg |publisher=positivelyfeminine.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823055443/http://www.positivelyfeminine.org/spiritual/ah/alyssabarlow.htm |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |access-date=July 20, 2008}} She recalls God telling her: "Put your crutches down. You're never gonna use them again." One year later, Barlow claimed that God completely healed her from RSD and from spiritual issues, and that her mother and dog would later receive physical healing as well.{{Cite web |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=rP8FY0ZMmYs&t=11m30s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/rP8FY0ZMmYs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Barlow Girl [sic] drops by RemedyLIVE |website=YouTube |date=December 15, 2011 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |quote=(13:34) …and God just began to speak some different things to me, and then one day, He said: '"Put your crutches down. You're never gonna use them again.' And I put them down, and that pain was there, but each time I stepped, that pain got less and less. (14:14) After one year of that, I was completely healed.}}{{cbignore}}

Alyssa Barlow made her first Instagram post on July 7, 2012.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BQJ_t4YgYww/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BQJ_t4YgYww |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=July 7, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Oh hello instagram...😘Perfect end to an amazing day in LA!}}{{cbignore}} She used her account to share a behind-the-scenes look at the "Hope Will Lead Us On" studio recordings, which occurred from August 27 to 29, 2012.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O4gFKakbrN/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O4gFKakbrN |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 28, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Never tracked this way before... This is very exciting}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/O4oL5Bkbv7/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/O4oL5Bkbv7 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=August 28, 2012 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=Otto hard at work...}}{{cbignore}} She reached 7,000 Instagram followers on December 17, 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/instagram/user/alyssabarlow |title=alyssabarlow Instagram Stats Summary Profile |date=December 17, 2017 |website=SocialBlade |access-date=December 21, 2017}}

=Lauren Barlow=

Lauren Ashley Nicole Barlow (born July 29, 1985) was the drummer for BarlowGirl. She also splits lead vocals with her sister Alyssa. Lauren is the youngest of the three and is also known as Lo-Lo and Odie. Barlow was homeschooled from the first grade on.

Barlow was chosen as the general editor for the 2011 book Inspired by Tozer, featuring around 60 members of the professing Christian community that were inspired by the author A.W. Tozer.{{Cite book |url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10805395-inspired-by-tozer |title=Inspired By Tozer |last=Barlow |first=Lauren |publisher=Regal |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8307-5929-3 |page=9}}

=Rebecca Barlow =

Rebecca "Becca" Barlow (born November 24, 1979) sang background vocals and played both electric and 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars. She was homeschooled from the seventh grade on.[http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/notyouraveragegirls.php The Old Schoolhouse BarlowGirl article] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011203113/http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/notyouraveragegirls.php |date=October 11, 2008 }}

In her final appearance as a member of BarlowGirl, she stated that her dream guitar is a 1957 Gibson Les Paul "Black Beauty" with gold plating on the Bigsby pickups & bridge.

Becca also claimed to have recovered from an eating disorder, which she developed at around the age of 18. "Every time I looked in the mirror, I told myself 'My goodness, how fat. You look terrible today.' It never seemed to get any better, and I felt worse and worse," she writes. Reading a magazine story about a woman's struggle with an eating disorder prompted Barlow to follow the same path. She ate very little and worked out "for two or three hours per day". Eventually she reached emotional exhaustion. "When I was nineteen, I found myself one day with my cheek pressed against the cold tile of the bathroom floor, with nothing left to give, no energy no hope: I was done trying. As I lay there, God touched my heart. He revealed to me that all my destructive efforts to shrink my body were not making me feel any better about myself [...] I was so completely grateful for His healing that I pledged on that spot to love and serve Him for the rest of my life."{{Cite book |title=More Than Music |last1=BarlowGirl |last2=Andrew Barlow |publisher=Word Entertainment, LLC |year=2006 |pages=53–54}}

Becca is the quietest of the three Barlow sisters. As such, she rarely sang lead while in the band. On social media, she is less active compared to her younger sisters. Barlow reached 4,000 Instagram followers on December 7, 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/instagram/user/rebeccaebarlow |title=rebeccaebarlow Instagram Stats Summary Profile |date=December 7, 2017 |website=SocialBlade |access-date=December 21, 2017}}

Social views

=Purity=

{{Reduced pull quote|right|I have never been in love with anyone. Other than a crazy 14-year-old boy proposing to me at a concert, I've never had someone tell me that they are in love with me, and I have yet to tell someone that myself. Okay, I'll just go ahead and say it: I've never even had a boyfriend.|Lauren Barlow|Inspired by Tozer{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1441265880 |title=Inspired by Tozer: 59 Artists, Writers and Leaders Share the Insight and Passion They've Gained from A.W. Tozer |last=Barlow |first=Lauren |date=November 1, 2011 |publisher=Gospel Light |isbn=978-1441265883 |edition=Hardcover |pages=37–39, 197 |access-date=January 2, 2017}}|Yay}}

The band was notable for having a stance of sexual purity (abstinence), modesty and refusing to date.{{Cite web |url=http://www.musiciansformissions.com/calendar/more.php?id=162_0_11_0_C |title=BARLOWGIRL/GROUP 1 CREW JULY 28TH, 2007 @6:00PM |last=Chappell |first=Danette |date=July 28, 2007 |website=Musicians for Missions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809200931/http://www.musiciansformissions.com/calendar/more.php?id=162_0_11_0_C |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2017}} On June 3, 2003, BarlowGirl was quoted as saying, "We believe that God has one perfect man already chosen for us; therefore we have no need to worry ourselves in searching for him. When the time is right, we know God will bring us together. In the mean time, we are not hiding in a closet avoiding all males, we are still living our lives, just without the pressure of having to have a boyfriend."{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/band_info/band_info.asp |title=Who We Are |last=BarlowGirl |date=June 3, 2003 |website=BarlowGirl.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030604081948/http://barlowgirl.com/band_info/band_info.asp |archive-date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=January 2, 2017}} In their 2004 song "Average Girl", the three sisters likened themselves to Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, falling into a deep sleep and resting in God until He sends a prince their way.{{Cite AV media notes |title=BarlowGirl |others=BarlowGirl |year=2004 |type=CD |publisher=Fervent Records |id=B0001CNRDE}} The Barlows also relate to other Disney Princesses: Lauren likens herself to Ariel from The Little Mermaid,{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com:80/journal/ |title=Part Of Your Woooorrrrlllldddd |last=Barlow |first=Lauren |date=January 18, 2006 |website=BarlowGirl.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219141812/http://www.barlowgirl.com/journal/ |archive-date=February 19, 2006 |access-date=May 22, 2017}} while Alyssa likens herself to Belle from Beauty and the Beast.{{Cite news |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-oct-14-1995-p-473/ |title='Beauty and Beast' to begin rockin' |date=October 14, 1995 |work=Daily Herald |access-date=August 20, 2018 }}

Several times since 2006,{{Cite web |url=http://www.today.com/id/12157075/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/barlowgirl-wont-downplay-faith-fame/ |title=BarlowGirl won't downplay faith for fame |last=Associated Press |date=April 4, 2006 |website=TODAY.com |location=Nashville, TN |access-date=January 2, 2018}} the Barlows alternated between condemning "the recreational dating scene" and, per songs like "Average Girl", condemning all forms of dating. For example, the band's Secret Keeper Girl condemned recreational dating and compiled "the BarlowGirl top 10 list of things to do instead of being boy crazy." One of the resources recommended by BarlowGirl was I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris, a book that recommended courtship over dating. On August 23, 2016, Harris partially recanted the teachings in his book.{{Cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/life/faithbased/2016/08/i_kissed_dating_goodbye_author_is_maybe_kind_of_sorry.html |title=Hello Goodbye |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=August 23, 2016 |website=Slate |access-date=January 2, 2018}} On November 1, 2016, a staff member for BarlowGirl confirmed that the purity doctrine once taught by the sisters "doesn't reflect band member's [sic] current views".{{Cite news |title=(online correspondence) |last=Chappell |first=Danette |date=November 1, 2016}}

Rebecca Barlow married on September 19, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Barlow Guidi |first1=Rebecca |title=Photo |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFmhOrFnc0B/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CFmhOrFnc0B |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|website=Instagram |access-date=September 29, 2020 |date=September 26, 2020 |quote=Trust in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Be still and know He is working for you behind the scenes and in a moment…}}{{cbignore}} The wedding was publicly announced on September 26, 2020.

=Politics=

In a 2004 video for The Washington Post, when interviewed about that year's United States presidential election, BarlowGirl replied: "Um, well… we've always liked the Bush family."{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/politics/crock/index.htm |title=Onstage: Faith, Music and Politics |last1=de la Cruz |first1=Ben |last2=Kattar |first2=Pierre |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 22, 2004 |access-date=October 9, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://vimeo.com/14997171 |title=On Stage: Faith, Music and Politics |last=Kattar |first=Pierre |date=October 22, 2004 |access-date=October 9, 2017}} On December 15, 2008, the Barlows further praised the work of George W. Bush, thanking God for him "in regards to the issue of abortion" and praying for then-president-elect Barack Obama to "have a change of heart towards the issue of abortion."{{Cite web |url=http://neversilencelife.com:80/fast.html |title=President Elect Barack Obama |last=BarlowGirl |date=December 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125083822/http://neversilencelife.com/fast.html |archive-date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=October 9, 2017 |df=mdy-all}} In 2009, BarlowGirl licensed its cover of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" for the program Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special, where Obama and his wife were interviewed.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-DGIt95w38 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/9-DGIt95w38 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Christmas at the White House An Oprah Primetime Special |date=December 14, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=September 11, 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.wordlabelgroup.com/files/BG_Career.pdf |title=BARLOWGIRL Career Highlights |last=Zinke |first=Adam |date=March 25, 2010 |publisher=Word Label Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704023449/http://www.wordlabelgroup.com/files/BG_Career.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} On November 10, 2016, BarlowGirl showed support for the "Love Trumps Hate" slogan: "Hillary's campaign said it best […] I think we can all agree on that one phrase."{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BMpGPgCAmS-/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BMpGPgCAmS- |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Lauren |date=November 10, 2016 |website=Instagram |access-date=October 7, 2017 |quote=This from my super wise sister. And what she's saying is real good. #Repost @alyssabarlow ・・・ Part 1}}{{cbignore}} During the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, Alyssa Barlow spoke favorably of Barack Obama and his two terms as President.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BPfxzXcjHz7/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BPfxzXcjHz7 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo|last=Barlow|first=Alyssa|date=January 20, 2017|website=Instagram|access-date=January 1, 2018|quote=While many sit idly and complain, there are the few who are willing to pay a high price to serve our great county. Thank you @barackobama and family for your service and sacrifice ❤️}}{{cbignore}} BarlowGirl visited Jerusalem in May 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BjCcfdEjBYk/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BjCcfdEjBYk |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Photo |last=Barlow |first=Alyssa |date=May 21, 2018 |website=Instagram |access-date=May 27, 2018 |quote=It’s so beautiful here! 🇮🇱❤️}}{{cbignore}}

=Ministry partners=

From 2006 to the band's demise, BarlowGirl partnered with Mercy Ministries, an organization which seeks to help women.{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/ministry/ |title=Ministries supported by BarlowGirl |last=BarlowGirl |date=April 10, 2006 |website=BarlowGirl.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410075837/http://www.barlowgirl.com/ministry/ |archive-date=April 10, 2006 |access-date=January 2, 2017}} The charity, however, has faced some controversy in the United States and in Australia. Despite this, the partnership remained and led to Lauren choosing Mercy founder Nancy Alcorn to be one of the 59 contributors for her book Inspired by Tozer.

Other ministry partners included the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/news |title="Hallelujah (Light Has Come)" Music Video Premiere |last=BarlowGirl |date=December 1, 2010 |website=BarlowGirl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218113258/http://www.barlowgirl.com/news |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://billygraham.org/video/barlowgirl-hallelujah-light-has-come/ |title=HALLELUJAH (Light Has Come) |last=BarlowGirl |date=November 20, 2012 |website=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association |access-date=December 19, 2016}} (including the related Samaritan's Purse and its Operation Christmas Child project),{{Cite news |url=http://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/barlowgirl-encourages-ada-residents-to-give-simple-gifts/article_00295f26-5332-5dd4-b9a4-abb73ab77da2.html |title=BarlowGirl encourages Ada residents to give simple gifts |last=Ada Evening News |date=November 5, 2010 |work=The Ada News |access-date=January 2, 2017 |agency=The Ada News}} International Justice Mission, Joshua Harris and Joyce Meyer Ministries.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQjOQP25xFg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mQjOQP25xFg |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=BarlowGirl's Becca's testimony on Joyce Meyer |last=Joyce Meyer Ministries |date=November 23, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=January 2, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

=Anti-abortion activism=

Following the release of How Can We Be Silent, BarlowGirl led a short-lived Never Silence Life campaign in 2009 to express their pro-life views and their concern for the protection of prenatal life.{{Cite web |url=http://www.neversilencelife.com/index.html |title=Never Silence Life |publisher=BarlowGirl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208211637/http://www.neversilencelife.com/index.html |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}

=Theme verses=

  • {{Bibleverse|Romans|12:2|HCSB}} (2003-2007)
  • {{Bibleverse|1 Peter|2:9|NKJV}} (2007-2012){{Cite web |url=http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DL6ZKPNX |title=Barlow Girl: Will The World Remember Our Generation? |last=American Bible Society |author-link=American Bible Society |date=October 1, 2010 |website=GodTube |access-date=January 2, 2017}}

Achievements

GMA Dove Awards

class="wikitable"
style="width:60px;"| Year

! Award

! Result

rowspan="4"| 2005

| New Artist of the Year

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Never Alone")

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Mirror")

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (BarlowGirl)

|{{nom}}

rowspan="4"| 2006

| Group of the Year

|{{nom}}

Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Let Go")

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Mirror")

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Another Journal Entry)

|{{nom}}

| 2007

| Group of the Year

|{{nom}}

rowspan="2"| 2008

| Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Million Voices")

|{{nom}}

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (How Can We Be Silent)

|{{nom}}

| 2009

| Christmas Album of the Year (Home for Christmas)

|{{nom}}

rowspan="2"| 2010

| Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Love & War)

|{{nom}}

Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Beautiful Ending")

|{{nom}}

Discography

{{main|BarlowGirl discography}}

Bibliography

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
style="width:275px;"| Title

! style="width:275px;"| Book details

! Notes

align=left| BarlowGirl: More Than Music

|

  • Released: August 29, 2006
  • Publisher: Word Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 135

|

  • This book was bundled with the Another Journal Entry Expanded Edition fan pack.
  • It was also sold individually at concerts.{{Cite web |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=GLguWJQI-ZA?t=1m29s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GLguWJQI-ZA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=BarlowGirl Merch |last1=Miller |first1=Jonathan |last2=Barlow |first2=Vincent |date=May 3, 2008 |via=YouTube |access-date=August 14, 2017 |last3=Hardt |first3=Rebekah}}{{cbignore}}
  • The book was ghostwritten by Andrew Barlow{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlandrew.com/#cv |title=CV |last=Barlow |first=Andrew |date=October 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016055243/http://www.barlandrew.com/#cv |archive-date=October 16, 2016}} and featured a foreword from Deborah Evans Price.
align=left| Our Journey… In Pictures

|

  • Released: September 14, 2010
  • Publisher: Word Books
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Pages: 50

|

  • This photo book was sold to promote the Our Journey… So Far compilation album.{{Cite web |url=http://www.barlowgirl.com/presale/ |title=Pre-Order The New BarlowGirl Album Now! |date=September 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914214719/http://www.barlowgirl.com/presale/ |archive-date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2017}}
  • BarlowGirl's family friend Sarah Barlow helped create this picture collection.
  • Only 500 books were published, each being numbered.
  • Despite the book claiming a 2009 publication date, sales of it did not begin until September 2010.
align=left| Inspired by Tozer: 59 Artists, Writers and Leaders Share the Insight and Passion They've Gained from A.W. Tozer

|

  • Released: November 1, 2011
  • Publisher: Gospel Light Publications
  • Format: Paperback, hardcover, e-book
  • Pages: 236

|

  • Lauren Barlow was the general editor for this devotional book. Her older sisters, Alyssa and Rebecca, were two of the 59 guest contributors.
  • BarlowGirl's parents, Vincent and MaryAnn Barlow, are also two of the 59 guest contributors. Both parents share one chapter.
  • Other notable contributors include Joni Eareckson Tada, Britt Nicole, Natalie Grant and Bill Johnson.
  • Fan translations of the book exist in Brazilian Portuguese,{{Cite web |url=http://barlowfas.blogspot.com/2012/05/resumo-do-livro-inspired-by-tozer-de.html |title=Resumo do livro 'Inspired by Tozer' de Lauren Barlow PARTE 1 |last=BarlowGirl Brasil |date=May 4, 2012 |website=barlowfas.blogspot.com}} French and Spanish.{{Cite news |title=Re: (e-mail message) |last=Chappell |first=Danette |date=November 4, 2015}}

Tours

  • Don't Conform Tour (2006){{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/August06.asp |title=Music News Archive |last=Bozeman Media |date=August 29, 2006 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=November 21, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.enidnews.com/news/lifestyles/barlowgirl-doesn-t-want-to-conform/article_99ab227c-a9fe-507c-81bc-3099653ca575.html |title=BarlowGirl doesn't want to conform |date=September 28, 2006 |website=Enidnews.com |access-date=November 21, 2017}}
  • Million Voices Tour (2008){{Cite web |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/09/03.BarlowGirl%20To%20Release%20First%20Holiday%20Project%20Home%20For%20Christmas.asp |title=Sister Rock Trio To Release First Holiday Project, Home For Christmas; Ready For The 'Million Voices Tour' This Fall |last=Vining Media |date=September 3, 2008 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=November 21, 2017}}
  • BarlowGirl and Superchick live tour (2009)
  • Love & War tour (2010){{Cite web |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2010/02/04.STELLAR%20KART%20DEBUTS%20INO%20RELEASE%20EVERYTHING%20IS%20DIFFERENT%20NOW%20MARCH%209.asp |title=STELLAR KART DEBUTS INO RELEASE EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT NOW MARCH 9 |last=Savvy Media |date=February 4, 2010 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=November 21, 2017}}

See also

References

{{Commons category|BarlowGirl}}

{{Reflist}}