by Jason AnkenyKnown among fans as "the modern-day hymnwriter," Twila Paris was among contemporary inspirational music's most prolific singers and composers. A native of Arkansas, her grandparents were itinerant preachers, holding outdoor revival meetings and planting churches; her grandmother even wrote songs for use at evangelistic meetings. Paris' father was himself a musician, as well as the leader of an area youth mission; a life of religion and music was seemingly her destiny, and indeed she enjoyed great success as a performer, earning comparison to the legendary Fanny Crosby for her contributions to latter-day hymnody, with songs like "We Will Glorify," "Lamb of God," "How Beautiful" and "Faithful Men" included in millions of hymnals in churches across the globe. Recognized as among the most popular "praise and worship" artists of her generation, Paris also published In the Sanctuary, a book co-written with theologian Robert Webber. 1996's Where I Stand was her commercial breakthrough, becoming Paris' best-selling record to date; Perennial: Songs for the Seasons of Life followed in 1998, and a year later she returned with True North. Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies and Peaceful Worship appeared in early 2001. In 2003 Paris returned with her first full worship record since 1991's Sanctuary. House of Worship featured ten new songs as well as two new versions of the well-loved classics "We Bow Down" and "We Will Glorify." Simply Twila Paris followed in 2005.