Jason Gray
Encyclopedia
Jason Gray is an American
contemporary Christian singer-songwriter
born and raised in Minnesota who now lives near the Twin Cities area.
Jason was born Jason Gay, but added an "r" to his last name in 2006 "to improve his marketing". Jason grew up in Southwestern Minnesota. He spent six years in youth ministry
, before going into full time music ministry in 1999 as an independent artist. Jason has a speech handicap, and as a stutterer, his work emphasizes finding strength in weakness.
Jason was honored as one of Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans in 2003 by the Minnesota Junior Chamber for his volunteerism, civic leadership, and humanitarian work with World Vision's Hope Initiative, which addresses the needs of children orphan
ed by AIDS
in Africa
and other third-world countries. Jason has been to Africa in 2003 and 2006, and is known for his advocacy of AIDS orphans as well as his music. His passion for understanding service to the poor as a form of worship is expressed in his song "Fade With Our Voices" from his 2009 release Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue.
Jason released four independent records before signing with Centricity Music
in 2006. Centricity released his first major label record, "All The Lovely Losers
" in 2007. Centricity Music
ChristianityToday.com calls Jason one of "Christian music's best kept secrets."
Jason has collaborated with artists such as Sara Groves
, Andrew Peterson, Joel Hanson
(frontman for 90's Christian rock band PFR
), Andy Gullahorn, Randall Goodgame, Jason Ingram, Thad Cockrell, Andy Osenga (of Caedmon's Call) and others. He has toured with Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real, Matthew West, Shawn McDonald, Downhere, Big Daddy Weave, The Afters, Mark Schultz and others. Jason is married to Taya Gray and they live in southern Minnesota with their three children.
Jason recently concluded the World Vision
-sponsored tour "Make a Difference Tour 2010" with Third Day
, Toby Mac, Michael W. Smith
and Max Lucado
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
contemporary Christian singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
born and raised in Minnesota who now lives near the Twin Cities area.
Jason was born Jason Gay, but added an "r" to his last name in 2006 "to improve his marketing". Jason grew up in Southwestern Minnesota. He spent six years in youth ministry
Youth ministry
Youth ministry, also commonly referred to as Youth group, is an age-specific religious ministry and is the way in which a faith group, or other religious organization involves and engages with the young people who attend its place of worship, or live in its community...
, before going into full time music ministry in 1999 as an independent artist. Jason has a speech handicap, and as a stutterer, his work emphasizes finding strength in weakness.
Jason was honored as one of Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans in 2003 by the Minnesota Junior Chamber for his volunteerism, civic leadership, and humanitarian work with World Vision's Hope Initiative, which addresses the needs of children orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
ed by AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and other third-world countries. Jason has been to Africa in 2003 and 2006, and is known for his advocacy of AIDS orphans as well as his music. His passion for understanding service to the poor as a form of worship is expressed in his song "Fade With Our Voices" from his 2009 release Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue.
Jason released four independent records before signing with Centricity Music
Centricity Music
Centricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...
in 2006. Centricity released his first major label record, "All The Lovely Losers
All The Lovely Losers
All The Lovely Losers is a music album by Jason Gray released March 6th 2007. It is his fifth solo record and his first major label national release with Centricity Music. It was produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varencamp.- Track Listing :...
" in 2007. Centricity Music
Centricity Music
Centricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...
ChristianityToday.com calls Jason one of "Christian music's best kept secrets."
Jason has collaborated with artists such as Sara Groves
Sara Groves
Sara Groves is an American Contemporary Christian singer, record producer, and author....
, Andrew Peterson, Joel Hanson
Joel Hanson
Joel Hanson was the lead singer and guitarist for Christian rock band PFR. After the breakup of the band, he went on to a solo career with the albums Captured and Broken. Joel is a songwriter who has collaborated with several artists across the music industry, including Sara Groves, Geoff Moore,...
(frontman for 90's Christian rock band PFR
PFR
PFR was a Christian music group in the mid 1990s. Although the group disbanded in 1997, they reunited in 2000 and have since recorded two albums, and they continue to play together.-History:...
), Andy Gullahorn, Randall Goodgame, Jason Ingram, Thad Cockrell, Andy Osenga (of Caedmon's Call) and others. He has toured with Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real, Matthew West, Shawn McDonald, Downhere, Big Daddy Weave, The Afters, Mark Schultz and others. Jason is married to Taya Gray and they live in southern Minnesota with their three children.
Jason recently concluded the World Vision
World Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
-sponsored tour "Make a Difference Tour 2010" with Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, Toby Mac, Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
and Max Lucado
Max Lucado
Max Lucado is a best-selling author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas...
.
Discography
- The Singer & The Song (1997)
- Postcard Maxi-Single (1999), featuring pre-A Place Called Hope versions of "A Little More Like Jesus" and "The Prodigal"
- A Place Called Hope (2001)
- Live Vol. 1: Hoping (2001)
- The Better Part Of Me (2005), re-released with altered track-listing in 2007 as All The Lovely Losers for Centricity records
- All The Lovely LosersAll The Lovely LosersAll The Lovely Losers is a music album by Jason Gray released March 6th 2007. It is his fifth solo record and his first major label national release with Centricity Music. It was produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varencamp.- Track Listing :...
(2007), first album as "Jason Gray" Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:... - "Acoustic Storytime" (2008), Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...
- Everything Sad Is Coming UntrueEverything Sad Is Coming UntrueEverything Sad Is Coming Untrue is a music album by Jason Gray released September 1st 2009. It is his seventh solo record and his second major label national release with Centricity Music...
(2009), Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:... - Song Cycles (2011), a remix project featuring Derek WebbDerek WebbDerek Walsh Webb is an American singer-songwriter who first entered the music industry as a member of the band Caedmon's Call, and later embarked on a successful solo career....
Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:... - A Way To See In The DarkA Way to See in the DarkA Way To See In The Dark is a music album by Jason Gray released September 13th 2011. It is his ninth solo record and his third major label national release with Centricity Music. It was produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varencamp, the same production team from his previous release, Everything Sad...
(2011), Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...
Compilations
- Bethlehem Skyline (2007) "Mary Did You Know, Miriam" Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...
- Bethlehem Skyline Volume 2 (2010) "Love Has A Name, Do You Hear What I Hear" Centricity MusicCentricity MusicCentricity Music is an American record label founded in Washington with artists in contemporary Christian music. Some of its artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, downhere, and Jason Gray, among others.-History:...