Jeremy Camp ... A unique brand of rock and progressive
pop, his music was born out of a heart that's been broken and a faith
that's been tested. Yet, despite all this 24-year-old has walked through or
maybe because of it he's compelled to praise the God who has proven
Himself faithful through it all and has a passion for telling others
about Him through music.
Camp's journey began when he left his home in Lafayette,
Indiana, bound for Bible college in Southern California. He wasn't sure
what God had planned for him, but he knew he wanted to be ready. As
he soaked up all the biblical knowledge he could and pondered a career
in ministry.
Jeremy filled his downtime strumming a guitar, a skill
he picked up from his musically inclined father. One day, as he was
playing in the dorm kitchen, the school's worship leader overheard him
and encouraged him to get involved in the music ministry opportunities
available on campus.
It wasn't long before Camp was leading worship at the
school and all over Southern California. One of those gigs would even
lead him to his future wife. He was playing for a small Bible study
group in the San Diego when he noticed her. They spent the next 4 months
getting to know each other. So it came as quite a shock when, after
four months of dating, Melissa suggested they break up.
While his personal life wasn't going exactly the way he
had hoped, his ministry was thriving. And then Jeremy received a call
that would change his life forever. He was summoned to the hospital
to see Melissa, then 20, who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Despite her upbeat attitude, Jeremy left the hospital
confused and upset at seeing someone he cared about in pain. Once in
his car he found himself making a strange promise. I drove away
saying, "God if You want me to marry Melissa, knowing she could die
from this cancer, then I will. If she tells me she loves me, I'll marry
her." It seemed like a fairly safe bet. They had never spoken those
words to each while they were dating, why would she say them now?
Five Months later the young couple married in front of
a thousand well wishers. Unfortunately, their happiness was short lived.
During their honeymoon, Melissa started having stomach problems and
when they returned the doctor delivered the news they dreaded. She had
mere months to live. On Feb. 5, 2001, Melissa went to be with the Lord.
Melissa's life and death changed Jeremy's perspective
on the music he makes. "Watching Melissa go to Heaven made me realize
what's important."
"Music is not my life. Christ is my life. The only
thing that really matters is what we do for Jesus on this Earth, and
as a result of what I've been through, I express even more the goodness
of God and how faithful He is."
They say the best songs come from personal experience
and newcomer Jeremy Camp's music certainly comes from a very personal
place.
Stay at its core is a rock album. Well produced it flows
with powerful rock chording opposite acoustic highlights and soaring
effects. The music is a great backdrop for the 'in front of God' lyrics
for which the soul craves.
Stay is a sensitive insightful album that reveals a thoughtful
and personal side of the artist. "I Know You're Calling" is
a good example of the themes that run throughout the song. Camps sings,
"Help me to understand your ways". The answer comes, not with
pat answers or cliché but with the simple truth that he knows that God
is drawing him back again. As mainstream Christian radio has verified
through airplay, "Take My Life" has a universal appeal to
music lovers. It rocks, drives, steps backs, inspires and does not fail
to get one slamming an air guitar. Camp's work would not be complete
without a solid dose of worship, "In Your Presence" delivers
just that. "You are worthy Lord- You are mighty". The songs
ascribe worth to God without the meaningless fluff of so many worship
songs.
One of those songs that reflects that perspective is "I
Still Believe," the first song Camp wrote after Melissa's death,
a declaration of faith from one who has walked through the fire.
BEC debut is "Walk by Faith," a tune he composed
on their honeymoon. Looking back now, "I didn't know what the song
was for at the time, but I look at the words now and I can see God was
preparing me for the path I'm now walking."
Jeremy's the first to admit it hasn't been an easy road.
"It's not like you just bounce back," he says. "But God
gives me the strength and I want to encourage others who are struggling."
And there's another motivation. Jeremy knows with each song that he
sings, he's helping that wish Melissa made that day from her hospital
bed, for her death to impact others for Christ, to come true.

Jeremy Camp's career is going so well that in fall 2003 he became
a headliner, almost unheard of for a debut artist.
Carried Me is a project that portrays what Camp and Co.
have always done in their live shows, which explains why fans have been
asking for just such a disc for years. And they won't be disappointed
with this thoughtful collection of original songs, several written by
Camp, and reworked standards. While each song may not come directly
from his own pen, they have all captured his heart.
"Trust in You," an older song that many artists
might have easily passed over. But Camp connected to its powerful message
and decided to add his own flavor to it, giving it a welcome rock-infused
update.
"Revive Me," which was penned by Camp, has already
been chosen by Worship Leader for their Song Discovery program which
collects the most promising new worship tunes and puts them on a CD
to send out to working worship leaders looking for fresh music for their
congregations.
Carried Me features well known worship songs such as "Enough",
"Wonderful Maker"- new worship songs "Beautiful One" (from Tim Hughes
the writer of "Here I Am To Worhip"), "I Wait for the Lord" and "Empty
Me". This album is sure to offer a refreshing look at worship and offer
fans what they have been waiting for. While the songs come from a variety
of sources, Camp's delivery neatly ties them all together. "I'm
a very passionate, outgoing person, so when I'm singing I love to belt
it out. That's part of my expression." That attitude carries over
to his take on worship. "When I do a worship song," he explains,
"I want to make it very full to compliment my voice and my heart.
This is me 'boom!' worshipping God."
Anticipation is high for Restored, the latest offering
from Jeremy Camp. Since his 2002 debut, Stay, Camp has garnered six
No. 1 songs and to win the Dove award for 2004 Male Vocalist of the
Year.
It is fair to say Restored is a truly heartfelt follow-up.
Fueled by Camp's powerful gritty vocals and crunchy rock
guitars, Stay brought a much-needed dose of passionate energy to Christian
music. Carried Me: The Worship Project, though slightly mellowed, still
added Camp's refreshing rock edge to mostly standard praise songs.
The lyrics are all personal prayers of surrender to God,
and Camp's powerful voice finds a new tenderness. "I feel it," he sings
on the title track, over a background of drum loops and gently moaning
guitars.
The disc is packed with a balance of stadium filling anthems,
rock and roll revelry and praiseworthy yet edgy power ballads, while
the message is sure to strike a chord with followers at all levels of
their faith walk. Get ready for Restored, the next chapter in the story
of this incredible artist. Camp admits there is still work he's been
called to do, such as to let go of some of his expectations for where
God would take his music and ministry. Spiritually, I had all
these ideas of what was going to happen. Finally, I had to lay them
down and say, "Okay Lord, you're going to do what you want in my
life." And that's when things began taking off.
Award winning band MercyMe will launch their Spring 2005
Undone Tour with Jeremy Camp. Completing the line-up are newcomers The
Afters and Monk & Neagle. This will be our fourth tour with MercyMe
and we have seen the audience grow on every tour as people continue
to be moved by their ministry and the quality of their art.

Jeremy Camp, reigning GMA Dove Award winner for Male Vocalist
and New Artist of the Year,has released Restored." "Restored" is
the follow up to his 2002 debut, "Stay". He is currently headlining
the "Restored Tour" and enjoying his new job as father as
he and his wife, Adrienne, welcomed the birth of their first child,
Isabella Rose.
In the DVD 24 You get a peak in the life of Jeremy. He
wanted to give Jeremy's fans a peak into what his life is like during
the typical concert day for Jeremy, this DVD takes fan from morning
to night showing the ins and outs of the good and the trying times of
a day in the life of Jeremy Camp. In 24 also includes behind the scenes
footage of shows, a live concert, and some other fun stuff. A great
fan piece for those that want a little more. This is also a great introduction
into the life of Jeremy for those that maybe are looking for a fresh
new artist to hear from. Features Camp's music videos "Understand" and
"Walk by Faith". In 24 also gives Camp's touching testimony.