PARKERSBURG – A local singer has released her first CD of contemporary Christian music.

Melody Joy Williams, 16, of Boaz, whose stage name is Melody Joy, for years has performed with her parents Lyn and Robert Williams at fairs, churches and nursing homes, but her musical career makes a dramatic change with the release her CD “The Beginning.”

“I am very excited,” Williams said.

Music has surrounded Williams her entire life and the lives of her parents, who encouraged and nurtured her talents.

“They have always pushed me in music since I was little,” Williams said.

Mrs. Williams’ great-grandfather, grandfather and father were in music and had bands in the Philippines, helping others in the family pursue their interests in music. That’s the way the family is, Mrs. Williams said.

“I grew up that way, helping each other,” she said.

Williams at the age of 5 played the piano and sang with her parents at local nursing homes. She received the Governor’s Service Award for her service to the elderly at the age of 7, the award presented to her by Gayle Manchin, wife of former Gov. Joe Manchin.

She also won two Parkersburg Homecoming Talent shows in her age groups in 2011 and 2012.

“We are very proud of her,” Mrs. Williams said.

Williams only recently taught herself to play the guitar. An influence on her music, besides her parents, are Steffany Gretzinger, a worship leader for Bethel Music, and her boyfriend, Josiah Strick, a musician.

“He’s a really good songwriter and a good guitarist,” Williams said.

It’s a long-distance relationship with Strick. He lives in Leavenworth, Kan., where he frequently performs at church functions.

“We’re on Skype every night,” she said.

The beginnings of the album go back to the summer of 2014 when Williams attended a Messianic youth camp where she said she met the people who inspired her to learn the guitar and write music.

She began writing the songs last summer and recorded them in June at Harvest Studios in Huntington where other instrumentals were added and arranged. Her parents also recorded their first album at the studio.

“The Beginning” is available on Amazon.com, iTunes, Rhapsody and at her website, melodyjoyofficial.com.

She wrote seven songs on the album, “The New Jerusalem,” “Only You,” “Be My Shalom,” “Forevermore,” “Wait,” “Right Here” and “Come to Me.” Other songs on the album “Lift Up Your Hands,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “Aaronic Benediction,” which Williams arranged were written by Strick and Misha Goetz.

The most autobiographical is “The New Jerusalem,” Williams said. She wrote the music and lyrics.

“That’s the very first song I’ve completed,” Williams said. “I went into my bedroom, prayed, then wrote it in about an hour. I then played it for my parents.

“They couldn’t believe it only took an hour,” she said.