Since signing her record deal at 17, Anne Wilson has taken the music world by storm, releasing one chart-topping hit after another. Her newest project, “Rebel,” charted No. 1, No. 3 and No. 3 on Christian, Country, and All-Genre Charts, putting her in the company of Carrie Underwood, Chris Tomlin and Hillary Scott. With her modern country sound, Wilson been recognized by faith-based and mainstream media outlets as one of the “freshest new voices” (People).

Considering all the attention and accolades, when Wilson released the “Rebel” track listing that included the tune “Songs About Whiskey,” it caused some listeners and friends to think that perhaps the “My Jesus” singer was drifting out of the Christian music genre. Instead, the track’s twist reaffirmed Wilson’s sincere commitment to her longtime faith:

I guess I’m just kinda fixed on
The only thing that’s ever fixed me
That’s why I sing songs about Jesus
Instead of singing songs about whiskey

“It just it was just kind of a fun joke at first, figuring out how to write a song about whiskey,” Wilson said. “Everyone was like, ‘What are you doing writing a song about whiskey? What’s happened to Ann Wilson? Then getting to see like their response after the song came out, after they heard the hook, everything was really cool.”

Wilson said the song, which shows a fun part of her personality, is actually about getting out into the world and sharing the gospel, which is “ultimately the goal for me and my music.” By all accounts, she’s reaching that mark, with country radio embracing her songs, appearances on NBC’s TODAY Show and CMT, a Country Music Association nomination for Breakthrough Female Video, and even appearing on the flagship country music program The Grand Ole Opry more than ten times, standing on the same stage where her musical influences like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton have stood.

“It’s my favorite stage to play out of any venue,” she said. “It’s really sentimental for me. My mom’s mom always wanted to be a country famous star and singer. She’s loved the Opry and never got to go, because she never had the money. She passed away a long time ago. So, it’s just cool to be able to like go on that stage and think about her.”

In May, Wilson was recognized as Female Artist of the Year at the K-Love Fan Awards. Still, as the stages get bigger and her music continues to cross over into the mainstream, Wilson says leaving Christian music is “genuinely not what I desire.” Her heart is sharing the gospel and telling people about Jesus.

“It’s the foundation for all that I do, and I’ll never leave (Christian music),” she said. “This album, I’ve had people tell me, it’s more faith based than my last album. I’ve had people tell me I’m talking more about the gospel than I ever have. I feel like my boldness has definitely increased, just standing firm in who I am.”

Wilson even points to the title of the new album, “Rebel,” in describing her mindset. She’s thankful for a new partnership with Universal Nashville that allowed her to explore a new part of her creativity that didn’t have to fit in one box or another.

“It’s freeing for me,” she said. “I enjoyed every moment of it, the process and then just the heart behind being bold in my faith . . . standing up for what I believe in, not letting country music or Christian music change me or having to change to fit those two genres. Just me being authentically who I am and letting my music kind of fit where it needs to fit.”

Looking back on the five years since she signed that first record deal and landed her first number one song, Wilson said it’s been rewarding but has also forced her to drill down on what’s really important.

“We’ve all kind of come a long way together, me and my team,” she said. “It’s been amazing, there’s been a lot of challenges, as I think there is for every artist in kind of learning how to manage your priorities, being gone a lot on the road, and how to prioritize your family. But I think my favorite part has just been getting to connect with people and hear their stories on how music has impacted their life. And at the end of the day, that’s why I do what I do.”

Watch an exclusive interview with Anne Wilson below: