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The journey to Jason Eaton’s full time pursuit of faith-based artistry came as a result of various life circumstances, doors opening and divine revelations that indicate an anointing extending far beyond his heavenly tenor range. The singer/arranger/songwriting/worship leader originally came to Christ as a teenager during an emotional altar call that not only found the youngster handing over every aspect of his life to the Lord, but fostering an undeniable passion towards a musical calling currently fostered in the EP Nothing Back (hitting stores, iTunes and other digital retailers on Feb. 13th). What first started as singing in church services quickly blossomed into the Swartz Creek, Michigan-bred hopeful earning a degree in Music Education at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois. From there, Eaton found himself on stage as a soloist with the Thurlow Spur productions of Concert Ministries International, playing the lead role in the musical “David, A Man After God’s Own Heart” (written by Cam Floria, head of the Continental Singers) and subsequently appearing on “The 700 Club” with Pat Robertson. “I’ve always related to David and the fact that he was totally open to what God had for him, and when all odds were against him, he even slayed a giant,” says Eaton of the life changing role. “Obviously he had some low points like we all do when we let sin creep into our life, but after he gave it to the Lord, He began blessing David again. That journey has always moved me, along with the fact that David was a songwriter and we’re still singing his songs 3,000 years later!” Eaton’s quest to longevity outside of congregational contexts and musicals came at the tip of the 2000s when he toured full time with the vocal band Liberty, though he’s since re-directed that focus solo due to that act’s intense travel schedule. Though a full-fledged tour behind Nothing Back is currently in the works, family is a supreme priority in this vocal artist’s life and inspiration continues to pour fourth from his wife of 13 years Wendy Jo and their three sons Grayson (7), Jayden (5) and Brayden (1). “Family comes first and they come with me as well,” Eaton offers with a chuckle of their collective road trips to his concerts. “Everything I do in my musical calling is for Christ. It’s not about chasing Jason Eaton as the artist. It’s about His purpose and plan, plus sharing His love to those who are Christians, those who’ve fallen away from Christ or those who’ve never known Christ as their savior.” No wonder why the material found within Nothing Back is so vertically centered, starting with the title track as the project’s lead single. The contagious cut was penned by Beat Street Records/Provident recording artist/songwriter John Waller (Casting Crowns, According To John) and features Eaton’s signature blend of vocal dynamism and comforting appeal (not to mention his very own arrangement). “When I sing about my faith, that song is the one that really captures it,” he contends. “I’m totally sold out to Christ and am holding nothing back from Him. Some people merely pray to God to be rescued when they’re in trouble, but it’s a personal relationship and a daily conversation. You can’t hold on to the things you want. You have to give them up and give them all over to Him so He can use you.” Eaton also turns to Waller’s esteemed songbook for a fresh rendering of “God Thing,” which talks about God lifting a believer out of a valley after fully surrendering the situation. From there, he re-interprets the Vineyard Music song “Free,” once again applying a praise motif and ultra-smooth pipes that fall somewhere in between powerhouses like Michael English, Chris Tomlin and Steven Curtis Chapman. There’s also a newly arranged take on the old time gospel hymn “I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy,” which Eaton re-channels as a rock ballad, complete with plugged in guitars, heavier drums and ethereal keyboard effects. The EP’s finale “Holding Out Hope To You” is the tunesmith’s ultimate outreach song, which has thus far become a concert classic, especially given its redemptive qualities. “It’s meant for a person at the end of themselves that has tried to live on their own, crashed and burned and are now at the bottom,” he affirms. “But even though you’ve hit the pits, God still loves you and offers you that freedom from pain and sin. Jesus touched lepers and hung out with prostitutes, so you clearly don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Him. You don’t to worry about what you’ve done in your life. No matter how bad it may seem, He will forgive you.” In an era where so many artists channel the Christian market as a springboard to secular superstardom, Eaton’s drawn a definitive line in the sand with all the material on Nothing Back. Though each song is crafted in a welcoming way to listeners from all faith backgrounds, there’s no ambiguity about his eternal anchoring and desire to preach the gospel whenever the opportunities present themselves. “I consider it an honor to do Christian music because my faith defines who I am,” Eaton verifies. “If I were to sing secular music, that would be very empty to me. I’m not saying some of those songs don’t have meaning, it’s just that Christian music has a much higher meaning because of my faith. Before I sing, I always pray ‘let me step aside and let me be the vessel for you. Help the spotlight shine right though me onto you.’ When you do that and realize it has nothing to do with you, but rather it’s all about Christ, then that’s when the Holy Spirit can really move.” OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.jasoneaton.org MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Mayes Nashville Publicity Group (615) 771-2040 / brian@nashvillepublicity.com |
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