But as I slipped the new Meredith Andrews CD into my player, I was instantly reminded.

A lot has changed for the 2001 Wilson Christian graduate, but her voice is still one that captures your attention and calls you to listen.

Last week, Meredith was in town visiting her parents, Bill and Becky Andrews, and finalizing plans for her upcoming wedding to Jacob Sooter of Nashville, Tenn. I had the opportunity to sit down with her and her mom and talk about an exciting new step in Meredith's music career.

After graduating from Liberty University in 2005, Meredith moved to Chicago and took a job as a worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel. There, she met Jason Ingram, a songwriter from Nashville, Tenn.

Long story short, Jason introduced Meredith to the people at Word Records, and by August of last year, she had signed a deal with the agency.

They worked fast. Meredith's album was finished in November. It was released in stores April 29 and I got one hand-delivered by the artist that very day. I felt special.

The CD, called "the invitation," is not Meredith's first. She self-produced "Only You" in 2001. It stayed in my CD player for months. Her second, called "Mesmerized," came out in 2005.

"I'm worshipping the Lord through music and inviting people to come along with me," she said.

Before signing with Word, Meredith was not only the artist, but the manager, booking agent and whatever else she needed to be. Since she now has representation, she can focus on writing songs.

"It's not a business to me anyway," Meredith said. "It never has been. This is something God has called me to do."

Meredith said she's gotten e-mails and been approached by people who tell her how much her music has blessed them.

"You never know when a song you write is going to touch someone," she said.

Meredith hopes the CD is true to its title.

"He welcomes us into his presence. It is an invitation that is extended to us. ... It is only by God's grace that we can come as we are. And we'll find all that we need in his presence.

"I want people to see how deep and wide and long his love is. There really is no greater place to be than sitting at his feet."

Meredith said the songs on the CD are "prayers I've wanted to put to music for so long and here they are."

Meredith just wrapped up a tour April 18. She'll perform at several festivals and conferences this summer, and at the end of July, she'll travel to the Dominican Republic to lead worship services at an all-girl orphanage. She'll probably go back on tour in the fall.

Most Christian bookstores are carrying the CD. Meredith went to Lifeway Christian Store in Rocky Mount the day it was released and bought copies.

You can also order the CD online at www.meredithandrews.com. The site is under construction, but you'll be directed to Meredith's MySpace page.

The Scene appears every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you have a story that you want to share with Heather, e-mail thescene@wilsontimes.com or call 265-7811. If you have an event that you would like to enter on our community calendar, go to www.wilsontimes.com and click on the link for submitting information to the calendar.