Dan Jameson - About

ABOUT

"I think Dan Jameson is one of the most musically gifted people that I have ever known, but he took a road much less traveled; one that he knew would not be popular...and that road took incredible courage to go down..."

- Phil Cohen of (NCC) New Covenant Christian Church

Out of one of the most uncommon places for a CCM songwriter to emerge, Dan Jameson delivers powerful messages and a personal story that is anything but ordinary. Having drawn comparisons to artists in contemporary gospel, pop and country music, yet possessing a style uniquely his own, Jameson began singing and playing instruments when he was a young child.

Born and raised in a small northern New England town, Jameson grew up in a blue collar family with one older sibling. His mother, a former Catholic nun, had taken a vow of poverty at age 16 and left the United States. She traveled across the globe over many years before returning to the U.S. where she met Jameson's father, who worked as a laborer. Both introduced Jameson to faith at an early age. This foundation helped him to develop resiliency and handle the challenges he would later face attempting to break through as a Christian songwriter in the most spiritually malnourished region of the U.S.

At age 13, Jameson taught himself to play several instruments, while also playing in his junior high and high school jazz bands. Both his middle school and high school music teachers sought him out. They also commented that Jameson had a musical ear that was unlike any they had ever come across before.

By age 16, in his first ever audition for the All- State music festival, Jameson placed in the top five vocalists, singing a classical opera style performance before a panel of highly selective judges. He began writing songs as a teenager and, at age 19, won a free recording session after entering a songwriting competition. Though he spent many Sundays leading worship, Jameson also wanted to reach beyond the church walls to those who had never known faith. As part of this effort, he performed at small cafés, but was hard-pressed to find other venues that would actually allow original music to be performed, especially in the Christian genre. As Jameson explains, "There wasn't a single radio station that broadcasted CCM where I grew up, and you didn't have Internet radio yet either," says Jameson. Though he felt tempted to quit under these circumstances, he explains how something would suddenly happen that changed his mind. "I would get this burst of inspiration and new ideas were just sort of effortlessly coming out...you know...one right after the next."

While a sophomore in college, Jameson wanted much more than what he found going on locally. At the suggestion of a faculty member, Jameson joined the NACA organization, where he served as a stage hand for a number of major performers such as actor and comedian Jay Mohr, rock band, Blessid Union of Souls and former Indiana-based group, The Elms. He also formed a band of his own, where he sang for a music festival crowd of over 50,000 attendees, but spent most of his time serving in church and working from a simple studio he built in an old apartment building. Perhaps, one of the most interesting parts of Jameson's story is that a grassroots approach is really all he has ever known. In fact, he held back from using any social media platforms over concerns that, in the long run, the tech. giants may do more harm than good when it comes to artists and music.

Jameson says that communication with God that brought him to a pivotal moment in his life. He loaded up a car and moved 1,400 miles from his home town to a place where he didn't know anyone. "I remember waking up on Christmas morning in December, 2005 just after I arrived at my new place. I had no family there, no friends, no Christmas tree, no gifts or any of that stuff, but, the truth is, that is where God showed up the most. It was just me and Him." Jameson holds fast to the belief that spending time in prayer and having unwavering persistence really helped him overcome obstacles and make important decisions. More importantly, Jameson never attributes success to luck. Instead, he credits patience, perseverance and trust in God’s will.

It’s so important to live in the present. He says, "In hard times we want a quick fix, instead of pressing on and pressing in for wisdom and discernment."

Another thing that defines Jameson is that he wasn’t molded into a writer. He was the kid in school who got high marks for creative writing. His public school classmates would ask him if he liked what they wrote. “I don’t know why kids would ask for my opinion. “I used to say, '"Yeah ok, but if I love it and the teacher gives you an F, don't look at me,'” laughs Jameson.

In an age when musical originality can be scarce, feedback on Jameson speaks for itself. As one worship pastor commented, "I think Dan Jameson is one of the most musically gifted people that I have ever known, but he took a road much less traveled; one that he knew would not be popular and that road took incredible courage to go down" (Phil Cohen of (NCC) New Covenant Christian Church). Raw ability, creative passion and continuous improvement are at the forefront of who he is. That said, it comes as no surprise that he would have such a wealth of unreleased material. Collaboration is also something Jameson says he's longing for. "These days, there's an erroneous and corrupt effort to keep people apart, but Hebrews 10: 24-25 tells us that we shouldn't give up meeting together. When a group of people come together peacefully and pour out their hearts in worship to God, it's the most beautiful thing in the world," says Jameson.

"For me, worship it isn't about affecting one generation. It's about connection with people of all ages; encouraging personal relationships with God and each other," says Jameson. "Beyond that, my hearts desire is to be a living example outside of church walls. I think that kind of example is the best sermon there is."

Aside from writing music, Jameson serves on the worship team at his home church of Christian Life Assembly in Camp Hill, PA. He also enjoys many hobbies and spending time with his wife, Elizabeth and sons, Joshua and Elijah. You can learn more about Dan Jameson or get booking information by sending an email request to: dan@danjameson.com