Grandma, otherwise known as "Rebecca", sang and played keys for small groups on the rooftops of homes in India to 5000-seat auditorium churches in the states. She also visited Canada, Russia, England, Ireland, Germany, Chile, and Peru. She loves connecting with audiences knowing they've embraced the encouraging word or new revelation in their hearts through Jesus' Love revealed in the music.
It was over 100-degree temperatures in India and Rebecca was sweating. She started to sing acapella "The Lord's Prayer" in crisp clear soprano when suddenly a cool breeze swept through the amphitheater and continued until she stopped singing. But this wasn't the only time this happened.
The limousine was coming to pick up the family for the celebration service of young Jalon Micah. Rebecca focused on the Lord sitting at the baby grand to worship and praise Him because she knew deep in her heart it was the only way she’d get through this day -and the next. Her husband, John, was standing by the front door and suddenly a great wind pushed open the door rushing through the home – like a refreshing. John said, “No one touched that door.” A great peace fell on us all.
God has been there for me every time I’ve needed Him.
Music is His gift to me. Sometimes I recognize when He manifests His Presence but mostly, in faith, I know He’s there touching the people at just the right moment for them. That is the most fulfilling!
Rebecca recorded her first music 45 RPM at age 11 in Beaumont, Texas. Soon she was invited to sing all over the Texas region and into surrounding states. From that starting point, she recorded three albums: one at age 12, a teenager, and a young adult. Posted as the little girl who plays and sings, she traveled on weekends singing in churches.
Later in adulthood, she recorded another full record album, and two of her songs were published in choral form.
You can see images of what has been accomplished in music recordings and writings over the years at the bottom of this page. **
“Aha” Moments that Began the Journey
Rebecca was in an accident in her home at age 3 and spent 3 months in the hospital – almost dying twice. Her mother promised God to help Rebecca develop in whatever gifts He gave her if He would just let her live. Consequently, her mom traveled with Rebecca in the early years where she was booked to sing and play.
Another “aha” moment happened on a Sunday while driving home from church. Her Dad was playing the radio in the car and Rebecca heard a song she liked and upon arriving home, went straight to the piano and played it. Dad asked Mom if she’d already gotten the sheet music and Mom said with surprised amazement, “Nope, she’s doing that from memory.”
As an “A-B” student, Rebecca purposed to finish all homework before leaving the school grounds so she could play the piano, create new songs, and sing until supper time. To help her parents pay for the studio time expense in producing albums, Rebecca taught improvisational piano lessons and worked as a church secretary in her teen years.
Genre & Vocal Sound
Rebecca's genre is Christ-Centered, not religious but relational to a Living God who loves faithfully. If that translates to Contemporary Christian or Gospel, then so be it. She prefers not to be in a box where sounds, tones, chordal patterns, and lyrics are concerned. She wants to leave room for God to work. The truth is she never would’ve gotten this far in life without Him and she declares strongly she can’t write or sing without His crisp anointing.
As a child through young adult, Rebecca's vocal sound was all country. She desired to reach a greater vocal range because she was hearing higher tones while composing songs, so she took private voice coaching. A crisp soprano sound came forth to reach high without losing, amazingly, her contralto chest sound that is valuable for certain presentations, whether singing in a group or solo.
Rebecca's Influences:
Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff was 6 years old when Rebecca met her evangelistic traveling family. Cindy wrote many songs early in life but full of His glory and truth, it was truly an inspiration to Rebecca. On a couple of occasions, Cindy's dad invited Rebecca to share the stage with them prior to their concerts at churches.
Then tragedy hit and Rebecca began to shy away from public music ministry, not because it was God’s will but because she misunderstood His goodness and cleansing power. Rebecca was raped at age 17 and believed no one would allow her to sing publicly again if they knew the truth of how unclean she was - so she hid it. Worshiping Jesus through music privately got her through to the truth.
Later, Rebecca wrote a love song for a wonderful man and they sang it to each other at their wedding ceremony in 1987. This song entitled "I Love You", will be released soon for the very first time.
It was during her marriage to John Persichitte that she was healed from rape and chronicled it through the cassette album project, “Do You Want To Be Healed”. John was a single father of four and they were happy for 7.5 beautiful years and had two sons together.
Their youngest, Jalon Micah, died and 20 months later, her beloved husband died. These deaths were accidents recorded in her partial autobiography, “Heaven In My Heart, Inspiration Ignited” by Rebecca Persichitte, sold on Amazon. Worshiping Jesus through music got Rebecca and my sons through these tragedies.
A New Season
Rebecca married a dream husband, Bill Alderman, in 2004. They were both determined that she would reach more musical goals in this season.
The single release “Emotions” from the double children’s album is on Spotify now with new cover art.
Rebecca's 10-minute instrumental release is entitled Compassion’s Mercy you can listen to it here: Compassion’s Mercy has already been heard in France, Israel, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine according to Apple artist data.
Rebecca also released the album, “Do You Want To Be Healed?”, 25 years after it was created, recorded, and published in cassette format but never released to the public, except for friends and family. It has now been digitally formatted and released on Spotify with new cover art.
Another piano instrumental Rebecca released is 16 minutes long and entitled, “I Am a Dwelling, a Mountain, a Gateway” which can be used for intercession or journaling. This piece depicts developing a relationship with Almighty God. You start by inviting Jesus into your heart, believing He was raised from the dead, to become His Dwelling place.
Then, as you grow in Him, you’ll be enabled to overcome things because you’ll stand in His Powerful Authority and experience victory as a majestic mountain peak. Finally, the stronger your spirit becomes because of His Presence in your life, you’ll be more and more like Him; so much so, you’ll be a gateway for His Love to flow through you to others. It’s living by faith in Him and progressively growing by His Spirit.
Below are examples of all the projects Rebecca has completed during her lifetime. But there's so much more to come!
** To God Be the Glory - Great Things He Has Done
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