Twenty-five years after its release, Point Of Grace's acclaimed album Free to Fly continues to stand as one of the defining contemporary Christian music releases of the early 2000s. Originally released on May 1, 2001 through Word Records, the project marked the group's seventh overall album and fifth studio release, blending uplifting lyrical themes with polished pop, rock, and inspirational sounds that resonated deeply with listeners worldwide.
Led by the No. 1 hit single "Blue Skies," the album produced an impressive string of chart-topping CCM radio singles, including "Praise Forevermore," "He Sends His Love," and "You Will Never Walk Alone," while "Yes, I Believe" reached the Top 5. The project also featured the music video for "Begin With Me."
Commercially, "Free to Fly" became one of the most successful releases in Point Of Grace's career, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. The album was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
The album showcased Point Of Grace's unmistakable vocal harmonies through an eclectic collection of songs that balanced worship, encouragement, and contemporary pop sensibilities.
Track Listing - "Free to Fly"
- By Heart - 3:38
- You Will Never Walk Alone - 4:24
- He Sends His Love - 4:35
- Praise Forevermore - 4:33
- Blue Skies - 4:20
- Begin With Me - 3:15
- Free Indeed - 3:55
- All That I Need - 4:08
- Something So Good - 3:41
- Yes, I Believe - 4:35
- La La La - 4:49
"Free to Fly" also represented a collaborative creative milestone for the quartet. The album featured multiple producers, including Brown Bannister, David Tyson, Tom Laune, Nathan Nockels, Glenn Garrett, and Wayne Tester, bringing together a wide range of musical influences while preserving the signature sound fans had come to love.
The recording featured performances from an accomplished lineup of musicians and arrangers, including Bernie Herms, Phil Madeira, Rusty Anderson, Chris Rodriguez, Jerry McPherson, Blair Masters, The London Session Orchestra, and The Nashville String Machine. Production and visual presentation were further shaped by executive producers Point Of Grace alongside A&R leadership from Loren Balman, photography by Michael Haber, and design work by Chuck Hargett.
At the heart of the album were the voices of Point Of Grace members Shelley Breen, Heather Payne, Denise Jones, and Terry Jones, whose harmonies helped define an era of Christian music and continue to resonate with audiences today.
Twenty-five years later, Free to Fly remains a beloved release within the Christian music community, with songs like Blue Skies and Praise Forevermore still appearing in concert set lists and inspiring listeners across generations.
