Jeremy Camp has become a well-established artist during his 17-year career.
He has had 40 No. 1 hits, received one Grammy nomination, three American Music Award nominations, four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards and five Dove awards.
Despite all these successes, Camp describes himself as “a minister who happens to play music as a way to minister.”
Camp is well known for his memoir, “I Still Believe” (2013, Tyndale), which tells of the death of his young wife only four months into their marriage. This time of heartache and God’s faithfulness is being made into a movie, to be released in March 2020.
Camp’s most recent album from Capitol Records (Sparrow Music), “The Story’s Not Over,” is an eleven track project that reflects on themes of God’s grace and redemptive power, our human frailty and God’s sovereign power and the hope we have as we trust in Him. “The Story’s Not Over” was produced by Jeff Sojka (who co-wrote a number of tracks on the project), Jordan Sapp, Colby Wedgeworth and Ben Glover.
Of this album, Camp says, “these songs have been written through a season of hardship, but also are a reflection back on God’s faithfulness through all I’ve been through over the years. Our perspective can make or break us, and it’s so important to remember God’s goodness in the midst of those hard times.”
The pop/rock project opens with “Only You Can”, one of the first radio releases from “The Story’s Not Over”. Camp belts out the refrain: “I need You to do what only You can/ Fight for my life when fear’s got me surrounded….Keep me believing when doubts got me drowning/ ‘Cause there’s no one else who can calm this storm….Only You can.”
“Dead Man Walking” is the most recent single from this album, currently at No. 2 spot on the Christian music charts. As the title suggests, this rhythmic track reminds the listener of how God transforms us from death to life: “I was a dead man walking/ Until I was a man walking with You….Until I felt the life You’re calling me to/ Pulling me out of darkness….You loved this dead man walking back to life.”
“Keep Me in the Moment” is a lilting pop song that reflects on the busyness with which many of us struggle. “Will I wake up one morning, just wishing that I could go back?/Oh, Lord, keep me in the moment/Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me.”
The title track begins in a somber tone, “It’s been a long road/I’ve had heartbreak/I don’t know what’s up ahead.” It soon transitions into an encouraging refrain, “The story’s not over yet/ You’ve got it under control/ Why would I fear when I know You’ve designed?/Can’t wait to see where You go with my life.”
Camp’s music on “The Story’s Not Over” will definitely minister to his listeners. This is one project that will bless and encourage (as well as entertain) new listeners and long-time fans.
Tracey Evison, a musician and educator on P.E.I., writes this column for The Guardian every second Saturday. She can be contacted by email at [email protected].