Gotee Records’ acclaimed new artist Sarah Kelly becomes the highest charting new artist this week on SoundScan with her Feb. 24 industry debut, Take Me Away, landing at No. 12 on the “Top Christian Albums” chart. Selling more than 4,100 units in her first week, Kelly’s national introduction makes her the highest new artist debut in the 10-year history of Gotee Records.

The album’s successful first week comes after a seven-day promotional tour that included several live performances along with multiple stops at retail (including devotionals Kelly shared at corporate headquarters for Family Christian Stores and Lemstone Christian Stores), media outlets and radio stations across the country. More than 1,000 people came out for a special album release party and showcase in Kelly’s hometown of Rockford, Ill., on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

“Take Me Away,” the title cut and first single from Kelly’s album, is continuing to see a strong response at radio, maintaining its No. 8 position on R&R’s CHR chart for the second week in a row. Kelly was interviewed last week by Rockford’s WQFL, WAY-FM’s Grand Rapids station and the WAY-FM network’s newest program, “Total Axxess.”

Take Me Away continues to garner major media support. The current March/April issue of Youthworker raves, “Sarah Kelly possesses the wildest, most riveting voice since Jennifer Knapp—maybe since Ashley Cleveland. But her sandpaper pipes can get soft and silky on command as well. Plus, she's a piano-playing, insightful songwriter with years of solo touring on the worship circuit. It's still early, but Kelly's the frontrunner for best new artist of 2004.”

“Working with Sarah Kelly is a dream come true for us at Gotee,” says Gotee Director of Marketing Ben Eisner. “She is one of the hardest working artists I have ever come across. She is charming, appreciative, and a great pleasure to work with. More than anything, she has a God-given vision for where she is going and who she is going to impact. When you present a record as strong as Sarah’s to the market, you just can’t help but know that something big could be around the corner. We are extremely excited to see what happens in the weeks, months, and years to come. Sarah Kelly is definitely here to stay.”

For more information on Sarah Kelly, go to sarahkellymusic.com.