THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100052
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
``ONCE AND FOR ALL,'' the title of Sara Paulson's new CD, has double significance.
It symbolizes the realization of the dream she's had since age 5 to become a Christian recording artist. But there's a deeper meaning, too: ``Jesus was sent to atone for our sins. He did it once, and he did it for all, for everybody,'' said Paulson, 25.
Another thing about the title: It has a very definitive sound to it. She likes that. ``It takes a stand and shows you can live by your convictions,'' Paulson said.
That, in fact, is why she traveled across the country to attend Regent University. Tomorrow, she will graduate with about a 3.8 grade point average and a master's degree in communications.
She grew up in Portland, Ore., and got hooked on music early: Her father was a music teacher and principal of a non-denominational Christian high school, which she attended. Paulson continued music classes and voice lessons at Portland Bible College, but she majored in theology.
``I wanted to find out why I believe what I believe,'' she explained.
While in college, she also did something else: She became Miss Oregon in 1992.
Paulson never intended to be a beauty queen. She says she got swept into it by the promise of scholarship money. She won $10,000, which has helped pay for her education at Regent.
Paulson, who is is far from the stereotype of empty-headed blondes, said, ``I was impressed by the career-oriented girls, some of whom already had master's degrees.'' And the experience was a mental challenge, too.
``Every single issue you felt like you were a political candidate,'' she said. ``It really forced you to develop your views on all moral and political issues.''
Regent has no music courses, but she decided to enroll in 1994 for a communications degree to improve herself as a performer. Besides, music ``is a business that comes and goes,'' she said. ``Stars rise and fall so quickly. I didn't know if I'd ever get a contract, so I thought I'd get my degree.''
She's found a refreshing diversity on campus. ``You have students that are Catholic to charismatic,'' she said. ``And the professors are anything but Pat Robertson clones. They have Democrats to conservative Republicans teaching. Your views are constantly challenged. The discussion is great.''
Paulson also thinks her studies will help her on stage when she starts her first tour next month. She's analyzed concert videos. She thinks she can better connect with audiences. She knows now that it's usually best to start a concert with an upbeat song before getting to the down-and-out ones.
Last fall, she signed a five-year contract with Pamplin Music, a new recording company founded by the family of Virginia philanthropist Robert Pamplin. Company executives first spotted her when she was performing as Miss Oregon.
``To Carry Me,'' the title of one song on the CD, which was released in February, has already risen to No. 17 on the inspirational charts, she said. The names of some of the other songs clearly show where she's headed: ``A Pilgrim's Prayer,'' ``Let Us Rejoice and Sing,'' ``Make His Glory Known.''
``As a Christian, I always want to do God's will,'' she said. ``His plans for my life have been beyond my highest hopes and dreams.''
She knows there are some Christian singers, like Amy Grant and Michael B. Smith, who have gone mainstream, maybe to gain greater exposure, maybe to reach more people. That's not for her.
Christian music, she said, is ``music people can live by. It's in their car, it's in their home. . . . I want to challenge them to live by Christian principles. They've seen the whole Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker thing, but it's not a hard life. There is freedom and joy, liberty and happiness when you do live by God's principles.
``You can stand by your convictions; you don't have to compromise to get real success in life.'' ILLUSTRATION: CHARLIE MEADS\The Virginian-Pilot
Sara Paulson, a former Miss Oregon, plans a career singing Christian
music.
by CNB