User:Jeff Jackson (Christian Jeff)

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Jeff Jackson (aka Christian Jeff)
Origin Des Moines, Iowa
Flag of the United States United States
Genre(s) Christian Acoustic
Years active 1998–present
Members
Jeff Jackson
Members of the band Reflected Glory (Jon Davis, Kim Steffen, Jon Gabhart, and Eric Meeter)

Jeff Jackson is a Christian Acoustic artist originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan and now based in Des Moines, Iowa .

Beginning his music career at the age of 14 Jeff Jackson has sung in Church choirs, coffee shops, shared the stage with several major bands, been a Worship Coordinator, as well as recorded, mixed, and produced 3 full length albums. A product of Calvin College Jeff really began his interest in making music in 1998. During that time his current roommate Morgan Foster (of the popular band Common Shiner) taught him a great deal about guitar, vocals, and songwriting. "The jam sessions that we had were some of the best training I could ever expect", said Jackson. From there he was off, writing songs, mixing them on his computer, and producing them himself. Jeff was able to continue his journey in college with a brotherhood of guys that began a praise band called "Duplex Praise" (because all the members of the band lived in a duplex together). This band led worship at several churches as well as the Calvin College Chapel. Eventually the members moved on (especially Common Shiner founders Tim Haig and Foster to begin their band). Jackson began work on solo projects and started playing shows in local coffee shops in Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as Calvin College. With the help of friend, roommate, and musical talent Tim Haig, Jeff recorded and produced his first full length album "Find Your Focus". As Jeff continued to play throughout central Michigan he was also serving full time as a Youth Pastor and Worship Coordinator. From there Jeff started and played with other bands such as: Rapid Resurrection, Holy Moment, and most recently Reflected Glory. All of these bands have helped to influence in one way or another the music of Jeff. "I must admit that most of my musical influences have been my roommates in college and the bands I have played with, but also the Worship and Christian music I listen to such as Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Bebo Norman, Jars of Clay, and Switchfoot." Because of the self-taught nature of Jackson's musical abilities, and the various groups that inspire him (including Evanescence, Common Shiner and Snow Patrol, Jeff has a style that is hard to describe. Several say that his guitar rhythms are very catchy but sometimes difficult to reproduce.

Jeff Jackson had seen some great success in his musical career for still being so young. He has created and played with several bands, all the while continuing his solo career. In 2004 Jeff and his band "Holy Moment" recorded the song "What's Missing" that had the opportunity to hit the airwaves through Christian Radio WAYFM out of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan. "Getting to hear a song that I wrote, as well as mixed and produced being played on the air was the highlight of my career to this date" says Jackson. Because of the success of "What's Missing" Jackson became enrolled as a Professional Musician and Producer through ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). The birth of his production company DBLJ Productions (also connected to ASCAP) followed that success. From there Jeff has been able to open for several major label bands, as well as headline several festivals and concerts. On July 27, 2007 Jeff released his newest yet most professional album "My Hideaway". This being his first "mass market" album signifies his presence in the music industry. Since it's release Jeff has received several awards through lyrical and song contests out of Nashville, as well as local cudos. ""My Hideaway" is an outstanding lyric! The chorus is absolutely amazing! You write very professionally, the words flow together well, and the message comes through clearly. The melody is something we absolutely adore! It's so amazingly catchy!�- Joe Adams- Writer Relations Coordinator of a Nashville Song Agency.

Some artists have music that can cross all borders between Christian and secular, but Jeff is one of those artists that is blatant and purposeful in his songs; he wants to share who Christ is and cries out to his Father. "My songs are written through my experiences, through my pain, through my love and loss, and through my desire to share a lament or a joy with people so they know that they are not alone. I want them to feel that someone else knows what their going through, that Christ will be with them through it all." says Jackson about his music.

Contents

[edit] Recordings

After his first year at Calvin College Jeff had written several songs and decided to begin a CD to share the music with others. Currently studying to be a Youth Pastor Jeff felt that several of the songs encouraged people to turn their focus upon Christ. So the summer of 1999 was spent recording and producing his first full length album "Find Your Focus". Only having made a hundred copies, the CD quickly was sold and gone.

Years of serving in Youth Ministry after college led to a whole new group of songs. Jeff began working on a new album of 12 songs. As he was in the studio working, he was called to a new church over an hour away from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he had gone to college and worked for the last 5 1/2 years. The job was bringing him back to Kalamazoo, Michigan where Jackson had grown up. This sparked the title of the album "Map Home", since several tracks were written through the pain of the move and job change, as well as a longing to be home with Christ. The CD became very popular and once again the 200 copies were sold out.

Several years had passed while Jeff was playing with several bands, leading worship in various churches, writing new songs, headlining concerts, playing several acoustic shows in coffee shops, and even working with other bands in the songwriting field. He had created a band "Holy Moment" in Kalamazoo, Michigan made up of long time friends Todd Weinberg (drums), and Aaron Chase (bass). Together they recorded and produced the hit song "What's Missing". This song eventually hit the airways across Southwest and Central Michigan in 2004. After a year of hosting summer festivals, leading worship, and playing gigs, the band planned on recording a CD with the help of producer Tim McDonald. During this same time Jeff was called to Northwest Iowa to the role of Pastor to Families with Youth at a church there. The CD would not be possible with that distance. The band played their final show at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C.. Once in Iowa Jeff began work on his most recent project, entitled "My Hideaway".

"After 2 years of work the CD was done. For over two years, shortly before he accepted the responsibility of the youth pastorship at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer, Jeff Jackson has been working on a music project.

Tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Java Joy Cafe in the Southpark Mall, Jackson will unveil that project to the masses, debuting "My Hideaway," with an hour long concert and CD release party. During the release party, the CD will be available for $10.

Jackson, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music on the 13-song CD, is pleased with the final product.

"I just want to share the gift God gave me with others. He really put on my heart to put this CD together. My goal…my hope, is to reach people. To have songs that people can relate to, understand and know that there's somebody else out there that feels the same way they do," explained Jackson.

The artist noted that the CD, which he describes as contemporary acoustic with a light rock sound will run the full gamut of emotions which makes sense as he admits to using his own life transitions and changes as a basis for songs."- (taken from Spencer Daily Reporter Newspaper Article)

The coming release of his album “My Hideaway” is a sigh of “it’s about time!” from several of Jeff’s fans and family. “It has been two years in the making, but “My Hideaway” is the best album I have ever made. These are my best songs, coming from the biggest events of my life to date. I am sure there will be more to come as I am still young and God has only begun to use me.”

(Speaking of his new release) ""My Hideaway" is a place; a place that we all go to in our hearts, our minds, our souls, even physically, to escape from the world, to heal, and to be with God. This album is that place; it is my personal "Hideaway". The songs on this album came from pain, love, confusion, joy, transitions and changes, sorrow, longing, searching, and much growth. Ultimately they came from God and from a life devoted to serving Him. These are the same songs we all sing at some point in our lives. My hope is that you will find peace and comfort as you enter this "hideaway"."- Jeff Jackson in a CDBaby interview.

[edit] Awards

  • Runner-up for "My Hideaway"- National Song of the Year Competition, Nashville
  • Finalist for "Rescue Me"- Nashville Song Service Lyric Contest, Nashville
  • #6 Top Indie Artist Nationally- Myspace Top Charts 2007
  • Rank #237 out of 764 songs in Acoustic Song Contest for "In Your Light"- Garageband.com 2007
  • Best ranking of #119 out of 806 songs on ourstage.com Christian Music Channel for April 2008

[edit] Members

[edit] Discography

Title Release Date Label
Find Your Focus 1999 Self-Released
Map Home 2003 Self-Released
My Hideaway July 27, 2007 DBLJ Productions


[edit] Notable Appearances

  • Opened for Brother Howe Kalamazoo, MI 9/08/03
  • Song "What's Missing" played on WAYFM Christian Radio 3/11/04
  • Showcased at Summer Downtown Festival, Vicksburg, Michigan Summer 03, 04
  • Played at National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. Sept. 2005
  • Opened for Farewell June (Heifer Project International Fund raiser) 6/23/06
  • Headlined at UMC Youth Rally- Adventureland Amusement Park, Altoona, Iowa 8/19/06
  • Worship Band for District Youth In-Gathering 11/11/06
  • Opened for Remedy Drive 08/15/07

[edit] References

[1]Spencer Daily Reporter, July 27, 2007

[2]Garageband.com

[3]CDBaby

[edit] External links