Out of one of the most uncommon places for an artist 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 New England town, Jameson grew up in a blue collar family with one older sibling. His mother, a former catholic nun, and his father, a handy man, 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 artist 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. His teachers commented that his musical ear was one like they had never come across before. He began writing songs as a teenager and, at age 19 he won free studio recording time after entering a songwriting competition. After graduating high school, Jameson felt called to more than a college degree, believing that that his education alone could never fulfill his life's purpose. It was at this time when music ministry had become his focus.
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 allow original music, especially in the Christian genre. Unwilling to compromise his character, he refused to pretend he was someone else just to get in the door. The challenges he faced continued when, in 1999, he began searching for studios to record his ever-growing song catalog. He briefly worked with a number of studio owners who didn't have the same vision for his songs, never mind share his faith, so Jameson prayed for better opportunities, and in 2008 came a breakthrough. After recording at six different studios over a 9 year period, Jameson's demo was heard by a well-respected artist and God opened a door for him a thousand miles from where he was living.
Jameson holds fast to the belief that the time he spent in prayer and having unwavering persistence helped him to get through the early obstacles in his career. More importantly, Jameson never attributes success to luck. Instead, he credits patience, perseverance and faith in God's will. Jameson says, "I think it's so important to live in the present. We all struggle with that. In difficult times we want a quick fix rather than to keep pressing on and seeing every day as a gift."
Today, what has become evident is that Jameson's style is appealing to people across generations and cultures. His dynamic song lineup is capturing the attention of many hearts and minds, sending a message of hope, telling of God's power, and resonating with people in all stages of faith. Jameson's highly anticipated self-titled debut is scheduled to hit stores later this fall!
Rob Edwards ©2009
