New artist Joy Whitlock embraces her life’s hardships in her debut album God And A Girl set to release tomorrow on Ardent/INO Records. Produced by Jeff Powell (Tonic, Bob Dylan, Bottle Rockets), Ian Eskelin (All Star United, Krystal Meyers) Curry Weber (Skillet, Todd Agnew) and James Joseph, the record showcases her compelling testimony highlighted by captivating vocals and candid lyrics infused with an alternative pop/rock sound.

“Holding Onto Me” is the first single off the 14-track album, which impacted CHR and AC Radio in August. Co-written by Eskelin, Barry Weeks and Tony Wood, “Holding Onto Me,” encourages people encountering rough patches in life to draw closer to God instead of running away from Him.

Through God And A Girl, Whitlock encourages fellow Christians who also face trials and tribulations with a message of hope and encouragement. “Because I still have many struggles in my life, even as a child of God, the subject matter of most of my songs tends to gravitate towards struggle,” admits Whitlock. “I want people to know that pain is not working against us. It brings us closer to the one who knows pain better than anyone else… Jesus Christ.”

Having grown up in Mississippi as the daughter of a minister, Whitlock’s family was involved in a few churches, which caused them to travel often. Throughout this process, Whitlock began to fall away from her faith and tried to numb the pain with drugs and promiscuity. It wasn’t until she saw Mel Gibson’s The Passion Of The Christ her heart softened and rededicated her life to Christ. From that moment on she has never been the same.

To celebrate God And A Girl, the singer/songwriter had an album release concert in Memphis, TN, the city that she now calls home. The performance took place on this past Sunday at the The Love of Christ Church.

To find out more about Whitlock and her testimony, watch her EPK at YMZ Media section. Her brand new website features Whitlock’s new interactive blog where she will post photos, videos, written thoughts and twitter updates. All the blog posts will allow fans to communicate with Whitlock and also with one another.

Read the story behind that album and preview tracks off it, including the new single, at Whitlock’s YMZ artist page.