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Bio By She Rox All Female Bands: Rachel Rachel began in California in the late 1980's by founder and bassist Jennifer York, who while working at a radio station in New York, decided she wanted to go back into music with the intent to form the first all-female Christian rock band. Guitarist Heli (Helen) Sterner formally of the all-female pop band Big Trouble would be the next member to join. Powerhouse vocalist Chery Jewel would join next, and the band sought out a keyboardist and soon found Brynn Beltran (Gersmehl) who was also an established song writer. Brynn would recruit the final piece of the puzzle by finding drummer Jennifer Sparks. Producer and Whiteheart guitarist Billy Smiley took interest in the band, and by 1990 they were in Nashville recording a demo, which found the band signed to a record deal instantly after only one night of a showcase show. The band began working on their debut album soon after and released Way To my Heart in album scored a #4 hit along with a #25 slot on the Billboard Contemporary Christian Music charts. The album was received well by critics and fans alike for its radio friendly rock and pop rock that held positive messages in its song writing. The band would also use their musical platform to help minister to women as well, and soon found fans beyond the Christian niche of music not only for this but, for their sheer talent as players. With the success of Way to My Heart not far behind them the band began work on their second album, released in 1993 You Oughta Know by Now, gained the band two #1 singles and quickly surpassed the success of the debut. Bolstered by its far more rock sound only proved the band capable of pulling out some heavy riffing hard rock combined with excellent harmony vocals, such a combination that was not seen by many females in contemporary Christian music up to this point. Founder and bassist Jennifer York would leave the band at the height of the bands career to pursue reporting for a news agency and became a well-established helicopter reporter. The band would soon bring in seasoned bassist Robin Spurs who would although never recorded with the band, would go on to support them during the band's tour for the second album with fellow Christian rock band Whiteheart. Constant touring would soon see the members burn out and felt the need to call it day, leaving many of their fans reeling at the band's quick demise and at the height of their popularity at that. Rachel Rachel may have ended too soon but the strides they made for female musicians in modern Christian rock is immeasurable. And really paved the way for numerous all-female Christian bands that would form in the years after. Cheryl Jewel-Vocals. Heli Sterner-Guitar, Brynn Beltran-Keyboards & Acoustic Guitar, Jennifer York-Bass/Robin Spurs-Bass, Jennifer Sparks-Drums. Like us at
