Jadyn Maria. Does the name ring a bell?

Maria jumped into the CCM scene when she performed guest vocals with Jody McBrayer on the song “Never Alone (iTunes)” The single, which was featured on a duet album entitled “It Takes 2,” received a fair amount of radio airplay on Christian AC and Christian Top 40 radio stations.

According to a long forgotten artist bio that CMDish.com uncovered online via her management company’s website, Maria was signed to a record deal at age 16 and was set to release a cd project in 2004. While singing at a wedding, Maria was connected with Troy VanLiere, manager of the group NewSong, who connected Maria to Sparrow Records. In 2004 alone, Maria toured before 100,000 people, sharing the stage with acts like Jump5 and Relient K.

Eventually, Maria was invited to join the R&B group GRITS in covering U2′s “With or Without You (iTunes)” It was an experience that Maria enjoyed, according to an interview with blogger Clayton Perry. “I was honored to do something a little bit different with it and to be a part of a project like that,” said Maria.

Maria’s own studio album was set to be released in 2004, but when an ad agency who represented the Herbal Essences shampoo campaign saw Maria’s “beauty, talent and wholesomeness,” the breaks were applied. In conjunction with the Herbal Essences campaign, Maria sang a song entitled “Rock You Senseless,” which can be heard on You Tube.

Unfortunately, Maria’s 2004 album never came to be and Maria disappeared into the abyss.

(Pictured Right: Maria at what we believe to be age 19. Photo courtesy William Morris Agency)

Jadyn Maria Resurfaces

And this time, she’s working a new angle in the music industry: Mainstream Pop.

Fast forward 2008.

Former Christian Music B-Lister Katy Hudson turned Katy Perry shocked the CCM world with her release of the song “Ur So Gay.” Come to find out, Perry and Maria are actually rather good friends, to the point that Maria appeared as one of the bridesmaids in the music video for Perry’s single, “Hot N Cold.”

In 2008, Maria moved to Atlanta, was signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo’s label, Compound Entertainment, and began working on her first, or second album, depending on how you look at it.

According to Ne-Yo, Maria has a, “A sweet tone, a gorgeous smile, a bubbly yet strong persona—not to mention a rather strong pen game—made Jadyn Maria just what I was looking for. It’s these attributes that will also make her a name you will remember.”

What’s to come for Maria?

An album entitled “Mans World,” is slated for a December 29th release. A few singles from the album are already available for purchase via iTunes, including her first radio single, “Good Girls Like Bad Boys,” (YouTube – iTunes), which could be considered scandalous to the ears of Christian radio listeners.

From the little that we’ve heard from her new album, the lyrics are sexually suggestive but very typical of pop music these days. However, just about all of the interviews that we’ve sorted through featuring quotes from Maria don’t seem to indiciate that she has given up her Christian upbringing. Maria is upfront about her time in the CCM bubble and seems to have no regrets.

We’re predicting big things in Jadyn Maria’s future, especially given the financial backings of Ne-Yo and his record label, Compound Entertainment.

Be sure to bookmark CMDish.com, as we’ll be sure to keep the Jadyn Maria coverage coming, as we get closer to her December 29th album release.

10.  @mattmahermusic Bono moves like an irish boxer – i guess fightin himself, apathy n poverty; or Maybe just shadow boxin while Love takes the real swings.

9.  @NatalieGrant Unbelievable to see my 2 yr old girls could survive if they fell in a lake or a pool. Amazing what little kids can learn.

8. @bebonorman Election day here in Franklin. On my way to vote.

7.  @koreycooper Just fell asleep in paranormal activity..and yes it is that boring

6.  @connersvine After months of personal deliberation I have still yet to determine if I am either Human or Dancer…

5.  @Macpowell Sneaking out to get ice cream then watching tivod biggest loser.

4. @Leelandmooring Haven’t had chocolate milk for breakfast in a while ha u a chocolate milk or an orange juice person in the morning? http://twitpic.com/mw7v5

3.  @Project86band Got assaulted by ladybugs today onstage. We felt very lucky.

2. @Matthewthiessen Was Saint Louis ever appointed to Arch Bishop?

1.  @BartMillard My Marley & Me review:REAL life hurts enough at times. My movies better have a light saber or a talking car in it! That said 2 thumbs down.

Oh, and let’s not forget our favorite Twitter gaffe of the week, which comes from Steven Curtis Chapman.  Click here to check it out.

So, who are you following?  Tell us by posting a comment.  Don’t forget, you can follow CMDish.com by clicking here.

With Christmas less than 90 days away, it’s quite obvious that the labels are gearing up for the holiday season:  Tim Hughes, Kutless, Jadon Lavik, & more are all slated for release today.

New Releases for 10/20/09

TIM HUGHES — Happy Day CD/DVD
Preview now at iTunes

KUTLESS — It Is Well
Preview now at iTunes

JADON LAVIK – The Road Acoustic
Preview now at iTunes

UNHINDERED — Be
Preview now at iTunes

CECE WINANS — For Always: The Best of CeCe
Preview now at iTunes

New Releases on the Way…

FLYLEAF, MISSION SIX, THE RUBYZ, THE ALMOST, STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, JOY ELECTRIC, KEVIN LEVAR & ONE SOUND, LIVING SACRIFICE, ELVIS PRESLEY, SHANE & SHANE, MICHAEL W. SMITH 

New Releases Now Available!

Todd Agnew — New<
Preview now at iTunes

PAIGE ARMSTRONG — Wake Up
Preview now at iTunes

BENJIMAN — S.K.R.I.P.T.: Spreading Kingdom Realities in Perilous Times
Preview now at iTunes

BRANDON BEE — This is the Revolution
Preview now at iTunes

REV. JIMMI E BRATCHER — Man! It’s Christmas
Preview now at iTunes

CHYNNA & VAUGHAN — One Reason
Preview now at iTunes

DOWNHERE — How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas
Preview now at iTunes

ANTHONY EVANS — What Christmas Means
Preview now at iTunes

FAMILY FORCE 5 — The Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant
Preview now at iTunes

FEE — Hope Rising
Preview now at iTunes

MARK HARRIS — A Timeless Christmas
Preview now at iTunes

INHALE/EXHALE — Bury Me Alive
Preview now at iTunes

NEW LIFE WORSHIP — I Am Free: The Essential Collection
Preview now at iTunes

DAVID PHELPS — The Best of David Phelps
Preview now at iTunes

RED LETTERS PROJECT — Red Letters Project: Book of Matthew

RELIENT K — Forget and Not Slow Down
Preview now at iTunes

CHRIS TOMLIN — Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
Preview now at iTunes

VARIOUS — WOW Hits 2010 CD/DVD

BEBE & CECE WINANS — Still
Preview now at iTunes

YANCY — Have A Fancy Yancy Christmas
Preview now at iTunes

Relient K is currently touring the country in celebration of their new album and a listing of upcoming shows is below.