Since the young age of 5 years old, musical wunderkind CORTNI has been entertaining crowds and challenging the status quo with not only her voice, but her passion to reach a hurting world.

And now, on May 10, 2011, this young artist releases her debut album THE AFTER PARTY through New Day Distribution. Produced by Tre’ Corley, The After Party has a simple message of joy throughout the project. With her teen charm and ambition, Cortni wants to remind us that while standing up for your faith isn’t always easy, we are told in the Bible to be full of joy: here, now, on Earth. Why wait until Heaven to have fun? We can have a taste of heaven right here and love life now, and Heaven can be our “after party.”

The debut single, aptly hitting radio on Valentine’s Day, is titled “True Love.” The song intimately shares Cortni’s story of spending life in and out of bad relationships. Even at her young age, Cortni realized her search for love was repeatedly ending up in all the wrong places. “True Love” exposes that nothing can fill that void other than the true love from God.

A native of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Cortni has spent her life singing and writing not only on her own, but as a member of The Bilderbacks, her family’s southern Gospel group.

With The Bilderbacks, Cortni was able to cut her teeth in music, sharing the stage with artists such as Jason Crabb, The Freemans, Crabb Revival, Karen Peck & New River, and numerous others.

But while her family’s musical roots live firmly in Southern Gospel, Cortni’s heart has always been with the big vocals of pop and gospel music. During her young years, artists like Kirk Franklin and Beyonce filled her ears, and her vocals and styling pay homage to this early influence.

When not touring with her family, Cortni faithfully attended the church that she loves, both as a musician and as a teenager in the youth group. Cortni still credits her church family for shaping her, and continues to be active in her new home church, both playing music and mentoring teens.

Now, at the age of 18, Cortni has moved to Nashville, ready to use her God given talent to “start a revolution,” “On The After Party, I hope that many of the songs will challenge the way we think,” explains Cortni. “For example the song ‘Trophy Man’ lets people know that we need to put God first, always. We need to quit allowing things to pull us down and be strong in what we believe.”

With her new band The After Party, Cortni and her crew are hitting the road, giving a challenge to today’s youth on being joyful in the Lord, of understanding the meaning of true love, of living your dreams, and of growing into the unique person God made you to be. Her amazing talent has already been discovered by the JCTV live concert show One Music Village, and at the Stellar Awards Showcase 2011 at BB Kings in Nashville.

“My heart has always been in ministry,” she continues. “For as long as I can remember, I knew that I was supposed to reach out and help others. I’m so amazed that God has opened these doors and allowed my passion to truly become my ministry.