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What The Other Plus One Guys Think Of Him
NATHAN: A good guy. He's changed a lot 'cause he's the youngest- from being really cocky, actually, to being more sensitive to how he comes across to people. He's into sports. He has a nice strong voice. He gives people time in order to show he cares.
GABE: Very confident- he know what he wants and goes and gets it.
JEREMY: Musically, he's one of the strongest lead vocals. He sings with a lot of gospel influences. You believe him. He's got a really strong personality and qualities of a leader. He definately has the ability to speak his mind and heart.
NATE: He's very passionate about what we're doing as a group and our mission.
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What Jason Thinks Of The Other Guys
JEREMY: He likes to go against the grain. He's very outspoken.
NATHAN: A nice guy, very ambitious.
NATE: The cute one- just a nice guy.
GABE: A funny guy- goofy funny.
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Psalm 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was wove together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
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Interviews & Reviews
HipOnline Interview (by Sam Conjerti)~~~
HOW DID THE GROUP COME TOGETHER? We came together through our manager and our record label. There was an audition in San Francisco and three of the guys knew about the audition and the others heard it through word of mouth. It came together and we, one way or another, came in contact with our manager.
I HEARD THAT THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE GROUP WAS BLUE. IS THAT CORRECT? Yes, but we never really wanted it to be that. I guess that they figured pink for girls and blue for boys, but we finally had to put our foot down and tell them that we wanted a real name.
WAS THERE EVER ANY NEGATIVE VIBES BECAUSE YOU WERE THE CHRISTIAN BOY BAND? No, it was totally the opposite. It was more encouragement for us to perform our faith. Our labels, Atlantic and 143 Records, who is owned by David Foster, who is one of the most known songwriters and producers ever, encouraged us to go with our faith and be rooted in Christianity. And if something happens mainstream, then that's cool, just as long as it is a natural progression.
DID YOU DO A LOT OF WRITING ON THE ALBUM OR WERE MOST OF THE SONGS PRESENTED TO YOU? Most of the songs were actually presented just because everything happened so fast. We wanted to get the album out and everything just seemed to snowball. But it was cool to work with the same people who both wrote and produced the songs.
ARE YOU TIRED OF THE BOY BAND COMPARISONS? At first it was annoying, but then after a little while it just stopped bothering us because we knew that we were different and that we were doing what we enjoyed. And we always knew that there would be comparisons, but now we don't let them bother us.
YOUR SINGLE, "WRITTEN ON MY HEART," HAS EXPLODED, ESPECIALLY ON DISNEY. DID YOU EXPECT THAT? It is awesome!!! We couldn't believe it the other day when we knocked off N'SYNC, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, and Aaron Carter for the number one video on the Zoog Disney Countdown.
ARE YOU GUYS FINALLY HAPPY THAT YOU ARE FINISHED WITH ALL OF YOUR PROMOTIONAL TOURING AND ARE FINALLY PART OF A REAL TOUR? Yes! I hate promotional tours. They are just so hectic. You are constantly going from one interview to the next and one performance to the next. The main difference between that and a real tour is that a tour is much more structured. I mean, you know where you are going to be, when you are going to be there, and you can relax and plan your day better.
HOW IS THE ALBUM DOING OVERALL? It is doing so great. And I can only thank all of the wonderful fans for all of their support they have shown to us.
ASK PLUS ONE-Q&A(at about.com)~~~
WHEN ARE YOUR BIRTHDAYS? 6/1/82
WHAT DO YOU WANT FANS TO COME AWAY WITH AFTER ATTENDING A SHOW OR LISTENING TO YOUR CD? IS THERE ONE MESSAGE OR PROMISE FROM GOD THAT REALLY DESCRIBES YOUR GUYS' MUSICAL MISSION? I want fans and people that come to our shows to feel the touch of Jesus. For them to sense his power to where if Jesus Christ isn't Lord of their life, they will by his Spirit receive him as Lord, or if already saved to be encouraged and strengthened through our testimonies and our songs. The message Plus One offers is that there is hope.
WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING A FAN HAS EVER DONE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION? Once this fan came through to the signing table and she got down on her knees and asked me to marry her! I didn't know what to do. When she saw my face turn red she quickly jumped up and said... "I'm just playin'!" She really got me!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST "REAL" JOB? Paper route
WHERE DO YOU GUYS STAND ON SEXUAL MORALS, COURTSHIP OR DATING? We stand for abstinence as a group. Although not all of us are virgins, we have all committed to purity and holiness and choose not to walk in the ways that we used to walk. Some of the guys are dating. I prefer courtship, because it is a lot more protected. Among parents, pastors, and friends, they know the details of your relationship. They help protect from hurt, abuse, and things that can happen when people isolate themselves.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL INFLUENCES? Fred Hammond, Brian McKnight, Boyz to Men and a lot of other Gospel and R&B artists.
YOU GUYS ARE TOGETHER 24/7. DON'T YOU EVER GET SICK OF EACH OTHER? Sure, we get sick of each other. It's like a family! Some days we don't feel like being with your brother or sister, but at the end of the day, you love each other and it all works out.
ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER MUSIC VIDEO BEFORE YOU PUT OUT YOUR NEXT CD? We shot a video in Singapore. That is our latest video. The reason we shot it in Singapore was because we were in SE Asia on a promotional tour and it worked out for us to do it there. I doubt we'll be shooting another video before out next record.
WAYfm
"Guys with good voices are a dime a dozen in LA," says Florida native Nathan Walters, the oldest member of Plus One at the ripe age of 22. "But chemistry… that's another story. Plus One works because we are not just five guys singing next to each other-we've worked our socks off from the beginning to connect, to click."
"Exactly," adds 18-year-old Sacramento native Nate Cole. "We have to become more than just five good singers. Our job is to become one great group, to find that path through hard work and lots of time together to those moments when we're genuinely together when we sing."
To reach that goal, the guys have committed to nearly a year of non-stop preparation, rehearsing, researching, recording, serving, praying and even living together. Since then, their life has become a veritable mobile college dorm-first in San Francisco, then LA, and now in Nashville-except that no one ever gets to cut class, they don't get weekends off, and when they jump on a plane to Nashville for the weekend, it's not for Spring Break. This fall, when everyone will be heading back to school, these five guys will be heading off to a different kind of classroom-a 60-city tour with Myrrh Records/Sony Discos artist Jaci Velasquez.
"I knew making this record would be hard work," says 20-year-old Gabe Combs, Plus One's instrumental and songwriting Renaissance man, "As we got into this, we realized that what we were doing-what we had been called together to do-would take everything we have. I guess that's why we know it's worth doing."
In the process, the guys have learned to play off each other's strengths, and balance each other's weaknesses, as they worked together to grow as a group and as men.
"In some ways we're very different," adds 19 year old Jeremy Mhire, of Springfield, MO. "but it's our differences that make us interesting-as friends and as a group. I'm learning how we each bring something special to everything we do, and that it's the ways we differ that allows us to be more than just ordinary."
The connection-and commitment-between the guys is clear on The Promise. There's a playfulness and attentiveness in Plus One's vocal interplay that simply can't be manufactured in a studio. Songs like "My Life," with its funky backbeat, and the first single, "Written On My Heart," showcase the group's intricate harmonies and youthful take on life.
"These guys really hear each other, really listen to each other when they sing," says producer David Foster, who signed the group to 143 Records/Atlantic Records literally days after their first auditions. "Individually, they're all incredibly talented, but they've learned that as vocalists, they're even better together. There's wisdom there."
There's more to a band than just camaraderie. There has to be substance to the songs to justify the audience's time. Plus One knew this too, and set out from their first moment together on a dual quest to find the perfect songs and to stretch themselves as people.
For this reason the songs on Plus One's debut, (eventually culled from a roster of a who's who list of songwriters including Phil Sillas, Stephanie Lewis, Dan Muckala, Ty Lacey, Eric Foster White and Reed Vertelney), cover the gamut of everything that you might expect from a bunch of friends at the edge of adulthood. Songs full of fun and romance, hopes, dreams and the highest yearnings and ambitions find their way on the disc. There are songs about friendship and faithfulness, like "My Friend," and mostly, there are songs such as "Run to You" and the melodic title cut, "The Promise," that get to the heart of the matter for the guys-their faith in God.
Plus One even adds their own songwriting chops to the mix, with "Be," a cut that reflects the constancy of friendship and God's love. Written by Nate Cole, Gabe Combs and Nathan Walters, along with veterans Ty Lacey, Bradley Spalter and Michael Norfleet, the ballad is the first collective songwriting contribution, showing the promise of things to come.
But for all the care given to the sound of The Promise, more has been taken with the collaborative project that was the integrity of the guys themselves. From the first day of rehearsals, they made a commitment to be marked as much by service as by sound. While in San Francisco, the guys volunteered a couple of times a week at a center for homeless families. And last September, they began an ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, participating in a week-long, 20-house "racial reconciliation" blitz build in Selma, Ala., where they worked side-by-side with veterans of that city's civil rights movement.
"That experience put some things in perspective for us," says Nate. "Seeing the need right here in America-and experiencing how we could help-that was amazing."
"Working next to people who worked with Dr. King, people who sacrificed so much for their freedom or the freedom of others… it was overwhelming," adds Gabe.
The work with Habitat is part of an intentional strategy on the part of the band to expand their experience and their vision of ministry.
"Anyone can sing about God," says Jason Perry, the youngest member of the group at age 17, "but we knew that until we had something to say with our lives, our songs would be empty."
"We are so committed to sharing our faith in our music," offers Jeremy, "but our faith tells us that it's better to love our neighbor than lecture them. If you listen more than you speak, you can get a lot done sometimes. The main thing is that you don't have to preach-just show love, acceptance and tolerance. Our audiences have heard all about Jesus-what they really need is to see him."
"That's really what Plus One is about," adds Nate. "The 'One' in our name-the One who more than just us, more than our songwriters and even our producers-our prayer is that anyone who pays attention to anything we do, be it our music or our lives, will know exactly who that is.
Audio Revolution's "The Promise" review
Plus One is a group that seems like a sure-fire winner. Take super-producer David Foster, who has written and produced more hit songs than just about anyone in the music business, and pair him with a hand-picked group of guys between the ages of 17 and 21, who could be mistaken for the Backstreet Boys or ‘N Sync. The result is the group Plus One. I know what you are thinking: Does the world need another boy band comprised of teen magazine cover models singing sugary pop songs? With the astronomical amount of money spent by teenaged girls’ parents on this type of music, there is obviously still room out there for another group like this. What sets Plus One apart from the other teenybopper bands that are currently dominating the sales charts is that they are a Christian group. Now parents who don’t want to expose their teenagers to oversexed music from the likes of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears have a well-produced alternative in Plus One’s new album ‘The Promise.’
I’m just going to flat-out say that I am not a fan of this type of music. This does not mean that the music is bad. In fact, the songwriting, performances and production on ‘The Promise’ are nearly flawless for this genre. Containing nothing but three-to-four-minute pop songs with catchy hooks, lush harmonies and positive messages, ‘The Promise’ under Foster’s guidance puts Plus One on track to be a successful pop act. Only time will tell if they will be able achieve mainstream crossover success a la Amy Grant.
From the opening song "Written on my Heart" to the final song "My Friend," every track is nonthreatening sugary pop that never tries to be anything else. The musicianship is topnotch, but you’re not going to find any Dave Matthews Band-type jam sections in the songs or any Santana-inspired guitar solos. Most 14-year old girls don’t know what the pentatonic scale is and probably don’t care. The music is so formulaic that it can get a bit tired, but if you are a 14-year-old girl, chances are, it will work for you.
The strongest track on the album, "Written on my Heart," will be the first single. When it hits MTV and mainstream radio stations, Plus One will have a good shot at becoming a household name band. Based around a medium tempo dance beat with big vocal harmonies, it is the one song on the album written by David Foster, whose authorship shows. There are plenty of other tracks that would enjoy great success on the radio, such as "Here in My Heart" and "Soul Tattoo," but "Written on my Heart" has a level of polish to it that none of the other tracks can match.
Sonically, ‘The Promise’ is about as good as any record I have heard this year, with crystal clear production and a great sense of depth and space. The only flaw that stands out to me is excessive reverb on some of the lead vocal tracks. It can be a bit distracting, but can you remember the last big-production love song that didn’t have a ton of reverb on the vocals?
Would I buy this album? I wouldn’t purchase it for myself, but I might pick up a copy for my little sister. If I were stuck on a desert island and was given a pile of boy bands and had to pick one to listen to, I’d choose Plus One over the others that are out there. I know that doesn’t sound like a glowing review of the band, but Plus One does well for what they are, singing tunes with a spin to them and a Christian music angle that isn’t overly preachy.
BP News~ Jason Perry Meets TruthQuest Team
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Jason Perry, a member of the Christian pop band Plus One, paid a surprise visit to the TruthQuest: California team during a dinner sponsored by Broadman & Holman Publishers, producers of the "TruthQuest Inductive Student Bible."
Perry recently coauthored "You Are Not Your Own" with Steve Keels, editor of the TruthQuest Student Bible.
Perry greeted team members and their parents and shared his testimony as well as his support of the TruthQuest project.
"I am really excited about what you guys are going to do," Perry said. "This is a great opportunity to share Christ with people."
Stephanie Huffman, TruthQuest brand manager, said Perry was enthusiastic about the group. "He was thrilled with the personalities he saw," Huffman said. "He could see the excitement in the eyes of these kids who love Jesus."
"Jason has a passion to share Christ with this younger culture," she said. "He is burdened to live on the edge for Christ."
During the Feb. 16 dinner in Nashville, the TruthQuest team was presented signed copies of Perry's book along with "TruthQuest Survival Guide: The Quest Begins" by Steve Keels, an interactive workbook to help new believers in Christ develop a firm foundation in the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
They also received the "TruthQuest Prayer Journal," "TruthQuest Devotional Journal" and the "TruthQuest Inductive Student Bible" with expedition case.
CCM May 2002~ PageTurners By Jason Perry
One of the books I’m reading right now is Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell (Thomas Nelson). It’s given me so much insight and direction concerning the role of a leader. Maxwell addresses many issues that are the foundation for any successful leader; and the chapters on attitude, people development and vision have really impacted me.
I’ve realized that attitudes are contagious, and for others to be enthusiastic about something, a leader must set the example.
People development is a concept that I feel very passionate about. Simply stated: I am who I am today because a Man decided to get in my life and challenged me to be great and told me that I can change the world if I pay the price. That’s what I am realizing more than anythingâ€â€ÂÂleadership doesn’t come cheap. It often means not fitting in, not doing what everyone else is doing. But that’s exactly what a leader is. It’s someone who sets the standard and example. That’s the kind of man I want to be. Jason Perry
Perry is a member of Plus One. He is also the author of You Are Not Your Own (Broadman & Holman).
CCM March 2002~ OBVIOUS by Marcia Bartenhagen
With the release of its debut, The Promise, Plus One came onto the Christian music scene at a time when most expected the boy-band phenomenon to die. However, the David Foster-contrived group quickly surprised the industry by earning a gold certification for the top-selling Christian album of 2000, receiving a Dove Award and headlining its own tour.
For its follow-up release, Obvious, the group created a more consistent effort by becoming increasingly involved with songwriting, then choosing a high-profile production team: Matthew Gerrard (Eden’s Crush, Mandy Moore), Guy Roche (’N Sync) and Tedd T. (Rebecca St. James) to name a few.
The result is what any boy band would wish for. It combines high-energy pop tunes with passionate power ballads segued with the occasional mid-tempo pop song, all laced with ultra-catchy lyrics. While comparable mainstream boy bands often focus on two thingsâ€â€ÂÂgirls and selfâ€â€ÂÂPlus One does a phenomenal job of offering lyrics with more depth.
The energetic sounds of "Camouflage" and "I Don’t Care What It Takes" revolve around the theme of being bold and being real when spreading God’s love. Both include a very Justin Timberlake-sounding Nate Cole, layers of drum loops and an edgy pop sound that combine for instant album favorites.
"Kick Me (When I’m Down)" was written entirely by three of Plus One’s members and is another stand-out edgy pop tune with a message that may jolt the Christian community: "Why can’t you be there for me/A friend is no where to be found/I just don’t understand why you/Kick me when I’m down."
The guys offer a softer side through passionate ballads like "Calling Down an Angel," a song that offers prayer for someone going through a hard time.
If one can get past the Michael Jackson-esque post-syllable grunts throughout the chorus (UMMMM...SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT...LOL), the heartfelt "Who Am I?" is a nice praise & worship ballad with such God-focused lyrics as "I cannot breathe without Your touch/ For me You came to die/Who am I?"
While the expected trite lyrics make occasional appearances throughout the record, overall, Obvious offers a solid effort for fans of fun pop and vocal harmonies. The album has edge, passion and, for the most part, thoughtful lyrics to bootâ€â€ÂÂdon’t be surprised if the Plus One boys have another busy year ahead of them.
CCM July 2001~Plus One/Stacie Orrico, Rachael Lampa, DJ Maj Concert Reviw by Steve KnightPlus One/Stacie Orrico/ Rachael Lampa/DJ Maj
Concordia University
St. Paul, Minnesota
Plus One wowed around 2,000 screaming fans with its tightly choreographed, highly theatrical show, replete with three costume changes, several "get-to-know-us" interludes with individual members (Nate Cole, Nathan Walters, Gabe Combs, Jason Perry and Jeremy Mhire) and a surprisingly articulate message of faith and hope. And they did it all on a school night!
From the beginning, the sparsely decorated stage and minimal lighting gave the distinct impression that this is a boy band on a budget. But these teen sensations deserve credit for neatly blending their Christian pop songs with high-energy performances and encouraging, if lightweight, testimonies. For example, Perry, one of three pastors’ kids in the group, shared his faith as well as a prayer. However, both included a healthy dose of charismatic verbiage which may have been hard for the uninitiated (i.e. unchurched kids) to understand. The real prayer was followed by a simulated one (complete with kneeling in front of plastic chairs) during "I Need a Miracle," before Walters brought things back down to earth with a brief Michael Jackson impersonation.
Other than a little harmless self-promotionâ€â€ÂÂnamely encouraging fans to watch the group’s performance on "Live With Regis and Kelly" the next morningâ€â€ÂÂit was all pretty tame. Cole (Plus One’s answer to Justin Timberlake) spoke humbly about "making the band," as well as about the group’s recent media appearances. He encouraged the crowd, "If you have dreams, I say, ‘Go for it!’ God promises to take care of you"â€â€ÂÂwhich was a smooth segue into the title track from Plus One’s debut album, The Promise.
Despite portraying juvenile delinquents on an episode of CBS’ "Touched by an Angel" earlier in the week, the Plus One boys looked (and sounded) angelic at the end of the show wearing all-white ensembles. They closed out the night singing their hit song, "Written on My Heart," while waving matching white scarves which they later threw into the audience.
The deafening drone of the cheers, whistles and screams gave way when opening acts Rachael Lampa and Stacie Orrico returned (dressed in white, to match their male counterparts), along with a choir of back-up singers wearing black robes, for the final encore, "When Your Spirit Gets Weak."
Orrico opened the evening with a four-song set that included her popular, yet ironic, hit "Don’t Look at Me." With support from three back-up singers/dancers, her well-choreographed performance came off very much like a more modest and brunette Britney Spears. Lampa’s sparkly outfit and heavy makeup may have made her look like Orrico’s twin, but her more mature vocal talent definitely set her apart from her teen pop sister. DJ Maj played host to the Plus One house party, spinning jams in between sets and throwing out free stuff to the waiting masses.
Overall, the Plus One concert showcased three of Christian music’s rising stars, all of whom have positive messages to share with their young fansâ€â€ÂÂeven if they don’t have it all figured out yet. It’s definitely worth the price of admission if you’re a fan of the music (or if your kids are).
iTICKETS.COM~News~ Plus One's Jason Perry's Literary Debut
At only 19-years-old, Jason Perry has lived a broad range of defining experiences; from life as starting defensive lineman on a small-town American high school football team to his current role singing as part of Atlantic Records’ internationally popular gold-selling Christian pop group Plus One. Perry has now joined with youth leader Steve Keels to pen his literary debut, You Are Not Your Own, a spiritual encouragement and challenge to his fellow teens, which hits stores from Broadman & Holman Publishers in March 2002.
You Are Not Your Own challenges students to dive into God’s word in order to edify themselves and be ready for opportunities to reach out to friends. It also encourages them on a peer-to-peer level to leave their guilty pasts behind, and develop a new identity in Christ. Perry relates on a practical level his own experiences with issues that teens face daily, following up on a Biblical basis to reinforce God’s truth.
“You Are Not Your Own stemmed from sharing my testimony in shows with Plus One. I got a lot of response through emails and letters from kids, and it struck me that people’s lives are really being affected--not because of me, but because of what God’s done in me. It clicked in my mind, I’ve got to write a book,†notes Perry. “It’s funny, because at that time I didn’t even like to read, much less write a book. But I thought it was important to tell my story because I felt God had changed my life in a huge way. I learned so much, too, writing the book that I didn’t realize I would, looking back onto these critical and defining moments in my life and how God has shaped me through them.â€ÂÂ
As part of Plus One and the teen-pop phenomenon, many would expect Perry to write a backstage tell-all of the pop music experience. However, with You Are Not Your Own, Perry instead has penned a direct, candid and intense book for teens describing his own personal mistakes and regrets, as well as professional and spiritual triumphs.
Readers may be surprised to find Jason Perry openly write about partying, drinking and pre-marital sex, as well as the spiritual façade that he easily wore as a pastor’s son who often sang solos in his father’s church. As a junior in high school, Perry found himself slipping into a lifestyle he’d previously disregarded, but began to envy.
“I found that the party scene wasn’t really that much fun, but I somehow became stuck, not knowing how to back myself out of the mess I was in . . .Wanting the best of both worlds, I was afraid that if I sold out completely to God that all the fun in this world would pass me by,†says Perry in You Are Not Your Own.
Perry encourages teens to find a spiritual mentor to challenge them, as the apostle Paul was to younger men, and as he has done in a leader at the church Perry now attends in Nashville, TN. Through talking with spiritual mentors, Perry found that his past was easily stripped away.
“I didn’t see it coming, but now, looking back, I see how desperately I needed to be changed by the power of God. I was good at playing games with God. I could talk the talk as well as anybody,†writes Perry. “On the outside I appeared to be the perfect Christian young man. On the inside, though, I was tired of leaving God on the fringes of my life.â€ÂÂ
Teen issues of friendship, identity, sexuality, evangelism and discipleship are addressed in You Are Not Your Own, releasing in March 2002 from first-time author Jason Perry through Broadman & Holman Publishers. The book is part of the publishers’ TruthQuest line of Bible and reference products for teenagers, designed to help students fall in love with the word of God and encourage a personal journey to the discovery of Biblical truth. Perry’s debut follows a previous partnership with the TruthQuest series, as the flagship TruthQuest Inductive Student Bible was endorsed by Plus One during the group’s 2001 U.S. tour.
Jason Perry joins Nate Cole, Jeremy Mhire, Gabe Combs and Nathan Walters to form Plus One, named New Artist of the Year at the 2001 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The group’s 2000 debut project, The Promise, garnered 4 number-one singles including “Written On My Heart†and “God Is In This Place,†as well as a gold record from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), certifying sales in excess of 500,000 units. In the whirlwind two years since the group released their debut, Plus One has appeared on television’s “Live with Regis and Kelly,†“Touched By An Angel,†soap opera “Days of Our Lives†and “Popstars,†as well as on the covers of numerous magazines, including Campus Life, CCM and Release.
You Are Not Your Own will hit stores shortly following the release of the latest Plus One project, entitled Obvious, which hits stores on February 26, 2002, from Atlantic Records. Plus One’s Obvious tour, also featuring ZOEgirl, Natalie Grant and Phat Chance, begins in Atlanta, GA, on February 28, and will play to approximately 60 markets.
Instant Access With Jason of Plus One - FamilyChristian.com
Full Name: Jason Wayne Perry
First Song (& Age Written): "You Never Left" (age 17)
Favorite Sports Team: New York Knicks-I like the Lakers too
Read any good books lately? Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:4-6
Family Facts: Parents, 1 older brother, 1 younger brother, 1 younger sister
What Song do you wish you wrote: "I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You" (Savage Garden)
Hobbies: Working out, playing sports, playing music, shopping
If you weren't an artist, what would you be? A pastor like my father
What is God teaching you now? To really give Him my all
If you could meet anyone, who would it be? Well, I've met Fred Hammond once but I want to meet him again so we can hang
Favorite Board Game: Monopoly
Favorite Soda: Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers
What was the first instrument you learned to play? The drums
Favorite Place: Secluded tropical islands with beautiful beaches, trees, white sand and clear water
What do you hope to be doing in ten years? God's will
Favorite comfort/pig out food: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Favorite Cartoon: Scooby Doo, Duck Tales
Must See TV: ESPN
Most cherished possession: My faith
Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber 22. Dream Wheels: 2 door convertible 64 Impala, metallic or baby blue
If you could be any kind of tree, what would you be? Dogwood
In your humble opinion, what is the best album ever? Spirit of David - Fred Hammond; Supernatural - Santana
What is in your CD player right now? Anything and everything
What event from 1999 still influences you today? Joining Plus One
First question you will ask God when you get to Heaven? How'd I do?
What question do you think He will ask you? Remember that one time . . . why did you do that?
What is the worst song you have ever written? I wrote a song titled "Guys Are From Venus and Girls Are From Mars" - don't ask
Chicken or Steak? Chicken
Barnes & Noble.com Music - Religious Interview~ All For One: Christian Pop Gets in Synch with Plus One
They're young, handsome, and drive teenage fans wild. They sing harmony-driven Top 40 pop produced by some of the music industry's biggest names (David Foster ring a bell?). And they're all solid Christian believers, who strive to make their music a ministry. No, 'N Sync haven't found God. We're talking about the newest boy band to hit the airwaves, Christian pop group Plus One. Their debut, THE PROMISE, kicked off at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Contemporary Christian Album chart, fueled by a hit single, "Written on My Heart." For a group that has basically come out of nowhere, one could say they're starting at the top. Gabe Combs (age 20), Jason Perry (age 18), Jeremy Mhire (age 20), Nate Cole (age 19), and Nathan Walters (age 22) hail from all over the country, molded into Plus One through the usual audition process. But all five have solid music backgrounds -- Nate Cole's grandfather Ira Stamphill wrote "Mansion over the Hilltop," recorded by Elvis Presley -- and have sung in school and church groups for most of their young lives. So what's it like being the hottest thing there is before you're old enough to buy a drink (not that they would, of course)? Barnes & Noble.com's Lisa Zhito found out.
Barnes & Noble.com: This has happened so fast. Are your heads spinning?
Jeremy Mhire: There are so many moments that are really surreal! You just sit there going, Wait a second!
Nate Cole: We always say there's going to come a point where someone is going to sit down with us and go, "This has all been a really big joke."
Barnes & Noble.com: It's amazing because so many people struggle for years to get to your starting point.
Jeremy Mhire: I know, that's why we don't take it for granted.
Nathan Walters: I had no idea how many people were involved in [developing] us. Somebody does this and somebody does that -- somebody gets the coffee for the guy that does your web page. It's like, thank you! For everything!
Barnes & Noble.com: What's it like working with David Foster?
Nathan Walters: He's so fast. It's weird how fast we get stuff done with him. We probably have one of the best times working with David. He jokes with us a lot.
Jeremy Mhire: If you're not singing very well, he's like, "Okay, just do it! You call that singing?" He gets that out of you and not in an aggressive way. It's do it or don't do it. I love that he knows he can always get better out of me.
Barnes & Noble.com: Have you had a moment that seemed to tell you something big was happening?
Nate Cole: We sang at a Christmas party for Carole Bayer Sager, and we looked out and saw Jack Nicholson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Dustin Hoffman.... Johnny Mathis, he was sweet. It was a really neat night.
Jeremy Mhire: One of the most surreal moments for me was singing at the L.A. Kings game in front of 18,000 people. You know how on a video game, there's no empty seats? There were no empty seats!
Barnes & Noble.com: That was the time you didn't get a soundcheck, and they cut your song right before you went on. You must be really good under pressure.
Jason Perry: I think that comes from always singing in church. Say you're not supposed to sing that morning, but then your dad's the pastor, and he says, "So, son, are you going to bless us with a song this morning?" I know all of these guys have been through this.
Gabe Combs: Yeah, like someone wants to sing a solo -- so you have to get up at the piano and learn the song -- as she's singing it! And she's totally tone deaf!
Jason Perry: Churches are like that, though, especially youth groups. The worship leader couldn't make it, and they tell you ten minutes before it starts that you're leading worship.
Barnes & Noble.com: What's it like being in a group, as opposed to solo singers?
Jason Perry: A lot of the pride thing, it was hard for me to get used to. When you come from a small town, you're pretty much the junk or whatever. Now, you've got to share it all!
Barnes & Noble.com: You guys are all roommates, you work together and travel together -- it's amazing you get along.
Nate Cole: That is the weirdest thing.
Jason Perry: When I first got in the group, if I did something dumb or just offended somebody and knew it, it would take me a week to tell them I'm sorry. But now I feel so comfortable with everyone -- as soon as I do something it's better to get it right out of the way. Oh man, I'm sorry about that, just forgive me!
Nate Cole: We lay things out, that's the best way to go, because you end up getting along a lot better that way.
Barnes & Noble.com: So what kind of music do you all listen to?
Nate Cole: I grew up listening to Steven Curtis Chapman. But one of my big influences is the Katinas; they've been in Christian music forever, but their CD just come out on Gotee Records. They've been friends of the family for quite a while and have come to our church a few times. They're some of my favorite people to just hang out with. They also put on this really awesome show. They're one of my main influences.
Jeremy Mhire: My musical influences vary so much! The fact that I sang in choirs so much made me really appreciate classical music and harmonies. I also love Harry Connick Jr. and James Taylor, Boyz II Men, and I like George Strait a lot, actually.
Gabe Combs: I've been influenced a lot recently, vocally, by Take 6. I also like dc Talk. I grew up listening to them; they're my favorite Christian band. I like jazzy stuff because I try to play my piano in a style like that, so I like Harry Connick Jr.
Jason Perry: Hands down, my favorite artist is Brian McKnight. I listen to Mariah Carey, too, but Brian McKnight -- he's just out of control. I could listen to him for his singing, for his ad-libs, for his production, for his lyrics, everything. He's just the man.
Nathan Walters: Michael W. Smith, Michael Jackson, and everybody off the Top 40 I liked production-wise, not so much vocally. When I was first getting into music I wasn't trying to make my voice better; I wanted to write and produce, so I listened to Top 40 a lot.
Barnes & Noble.com: So what do you think about the whole "boy band" thing?
Nate Cole: It's weird, walking down the street we always get, "Hey! It's the Backstreet Boys!" We must have that kind of look.
Jeremy Mhire: We can't get around the fact that we're a boy band. I think it's something we're learning to embrace. Hopefully we'll have something different, just like every other boy band -- they each bring something different to the table. Ours is definitely our message. And hopefully musically, too. We have so many musical influences, hopefully that will come out in our music.
ABCNEWS.com~ Shaken and Stirred: Post-Sept. 11 Audiences Turn To Christian Contemporary Music, By Andrew Colton
Feb. 3  Saturday, Sept. 8. The biggest problem for the contemporary Christian boy band Plus One is that it's raining in Orlando  although that's not stopping screaming girls, and their parents, from hearing a message of faith at Disney World's "Night of Joy."
Less than 72 hours later, on Sept. 11, the world changed. People soon would turn to contemporary Christian music in increasing numbers, but the along with everybody else, the genre's artists were shaken, too.
Artists Grapple With Sept. 11
On that rainy night at Disney World, Plus One's Jason Perry explained that hearing the group's message is as easy as buying its CD. (Disney is the parent company of ABCNEWS.com).
"They're realizing that there is truth within what we have to say," Perry said.
But four months later, Perry, who had the answers before, was looking for answers, too.
"If God is so good, then why would something so evil and tragic happen?" he wondered.
It is a tough question. How do you tell a group of fans one night to believe in God, that God believes in you, and then just a few nights later have to explain how God let those terrorist attacks happen?
For 22-year-old Jaci Velazquez, a rising superstar on the faith and Latin charts, there is no answer.
"I've never claimed to have all the answers cause I don't," she said. "You know, the thing about Christian music is that no one has the answers. We just know someone who does."
Contemporary Christian Sales Growth
And to find that "someone", many are turning to Jaci, Jason and Plus One, and contemporary Christian music. Since Sept. 11, it's the only sector of the music industry to show growth.
"They're looking for hope," said Matthew Turner, editor of Contemporary Christian Music magazine. "Christian music offers hope. It offers the message of Christ, that christians believe it's the answer."
And that's not lost on CCM magazine's owner, Salem Communications. Based outside Washington, D.C., Salem owns nearly 100 Christian radio stations and three channels on XM satellite radio. It's where many turned on the dial after Sept. 11.
"I think 9-11 has just brought a heightened awareness to everybody," said Jeff Crites, program director for Salem. "[It showed] that each day is precious and we're going to meet our maker one way or another."
It also brought awareness to bands that might normally go unnoticed by those who don't listen to faith-based music. On New Year's Eve, MTV's lead act was P.O.D., a Christian group.
"We've not experienced that before," Turner said. "As an industry, it's exciting to see a band come from a faith market and get that recognition."
For Plus One's Jason Perry, Sept. 11 sent a message.
"I do think it was a wakeup call to America to realize where we are, where we stand as a nation," he said.
And for Jaci Velasquez, it meant a question asked, and answered.
"I don't know why God would allow something like that to happen to us, to happen in the world," she said. "But I know for a fact that this is just proof that he is definitely here. And more than any time, we need him now."
CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES.COM
ARTICLES: Book Beat
Plus One's Jason Perry Writes Book
by CA Staff for Christian Activities
1/17/02
NASHVILLE, TN - At only 19-years-old, Jason Perry has lived a broad range of defining experiences; from life as starting defensive lineman on a small-town American high school football team to his current role singing as part of Atlantic Records? internationally popular gold-selling Christian pop group Plus One. Perry has now joined with youth leader Steve Keels to pen his literary debut, You Are Not Your Own, a spiritual encouragement and challenge to his fellow teens, which hits stores from Broadman & Holman Publishers in March 2002.
You Are Not Your Own challenges students to dive into God's word in order to edify themselves and be ready for opportunities to reach out to friends. It also encourages them on a peer-to-peer level to leave their guilty pasts behind, and develop a new identity in Christ. Perry relates on a practical level his own experiences with issues that teens face daily, following up on a Biblical basis to reinforce God's truth.
"You Are Not Your Own stemmed from sharing my testimony in shows with Plus One. I got a lot of response through emails and letters from kids, and it struck me that people's lives are really being affected--not because of me, but because of what God's done in me. It clicked in my mind, I've got to write a book," notes Perry. "It's funny, because at that time I didn't even like to read, much less write a book. But I thought it was important to tell my story because I felt God had changed my life in a huge way. I learned so much, too, writing the book that I didn't realize I would, looking back onto these critical and defining moments in my life and how God has shaped me through them."
As part of Plus One and the teen-pop phenomenon, many would expect Perry to write a backstage tell-all of the pop music experience. However, with You Are Not Your Own, Perry instead has penned a direct, candid and intense book for teens describing his own personal mistakes and regrets, as well as professional and spiritual triumphs.
Readers may be surprised to find Jason Perry openly write about partying, drinking and pre-marital sex, as well as the spiritual façade that he easily wore as a pastor's son who often sang solos in his father's church. As a junior in high school, Perry found himself slipping into a lifestyle he'd previously disregarded, but began to envy.
"I found that the party scene wasn't really that much fun, but I somehow became stuck, not knowing how to back myself out of the mess I was in . . .Wanting the best of both worlds, I was afraid that if I sold out completely to God that all the fun in this world would pass me by," says Perry in You Are Not Your Own.
Perry encourages teens to find a spiritual mentor to challenge them, as the apostle Paul was to younger men, and as he has done in a leader at the church Perry now attends in Nashville, TN. Through talking with spiritual mentors, Perry found that his past was easily stripped away.
"I didn't see it coming, but now, looking back, I see how desperately I needed to be changed by the power of God. I was good at playing games with God. I could talk the talk as well as anybody," writes Perry. "On the outside I appeared to be the perfect Christian young man. On the inside, though, I was tired of leaving God on the fringes of my life."
Teen issues of friendship, identity, sexuality, evangelism and discipleship are addressed in You Are Not Your Own, releasing in March 2002 from first-time author Jason Perry through Broadman & Holman Publishers. The book is part of the publishers' TruthQuest line of Bible and reference products for teenagers, designed to help students fall in love with the word of God and encourage a personal journey to the discovery of Biblical truth. Perry's debut follows a previous partnership with the TruthQuest series, as the flagship TruthQuest Inductive Student Bible was endorsed by Plus One during the group's 2001 U.S. tour.
Jason Perry joins Nate Cole, Jeremy Mhire, Gabe Combs and Nathan Walters to form Plus One, named New Artist of the Year at the 2001 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The group's 2000 debut project, The Promise, garnered 4 number-one singles including "Written On My Heart" and "God Is In This Place," as well as a gold record from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), certifying sales in excess of 500,000 units. In the whirlwind two years since the group released their debut, Plus One has appeared on television's "Live with Regis and Kelly," "Touched By An Angel," soap opera "Days of Our Lives" and "Popstars," as well as on the covers of numerous magazines, including Christian Activities Magazine.
You Are Not Your Own will hit stores shortly following the release of the latest Plus One project, entitled Obvious, which hits stores on February 26, 2002, from Atlantic Records. Plus One's Obvious tour, also featuring ZOEgirl, Natalie Grant and Phat Chance, begins in Atlanta, GA, on February 28, and will play to approximately 60 markets.
LIVING LIGHT NEWS ONLINE MUSIC REVIEWS~ Review by Julie Rohr
Obvious, the newest release from Christian boy-band Plus One, has huge pop potential. The quintet, signed with Atlantic Records, returns with their second contribution to the Christian music scene. Their debut album, The Promise, went gold, selling over 500,000 units since May 2000.
Initially signed to 143 records by notable Canadian producer David Foster, this group showed potential from the start. Since winning Best New Artist of the Year at the 2001 Dove Awards, Nate Cole, Jason Perry, Jeremy Mhire, Nathan Walters and Gabe Combs have matured in their sound. Musically comparable to pop phenomenon 98°, these young men not only pump out the bass and upbeat rhythms, they offer solid lyrics as well.
"Camouflage," the first track, talks about being honest with your faith instead of compromising your standards to fit in with others. The band tends to be subtle in their references to God, but the message presented is a positive one. "Start to Fly" gives this advice: "If you just look past your scars/You will see it's not that far/Don't close your mind/Let God inside ..."
Plus One is a talented young group with musical promise.
LifeWay: Online Conferences~ Living Loud for God: You Are Not Your Own
With Special Guest Jason Perry
Member of the contemporary Christian music group "Plus One"
lwmoderator: Along with Jeremy, Nathan, Nate, and Gabe, Jason Perry is a member of Plus One--named New Artist of the Year at the 2001 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. He is from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, but now lives in Nashville, Tennessee when he isn't on the road spreading the gospel through music. Along with his mom and dad, Jason's family includes two brothers--Aaron and Curtis--and a sister, Christi. In his new book, Jason talks about one important night when he found himself on a church pew sitting with Pastor Tim. He writes, "I found myself praying, 'Lord, why would You do this for me? Who am I that You would give Your life for Jason?' I realized for the first time how utterly corrupt I was and how desperately I needed Him to control my life."
lwmoderator: And that is the message God has given him: to encourage others to live their lives totally sold-out to Jesus Christ. Today is your chance to find out more about a life sold-out to Christ. Don't go away today without hearing Jason's heart. And if you hear God speaking to your heart, talk to your parents today about what you think God is doing in your life. Talk with your youth pastor or pastor, and ask him to pray with you.
lwmoderator: Because we only have one hour with Jason, please limit your chat to questions you have for Jason rather than just talking about the music or his new book.
lwmoderator: FaithinNathan, do you have your question ready?
FaithInNathanP1: My name is Jessica and represent the Scripture club that spurred off of your site and book. I want to know what you have been reading in your quiet times lately and how God has been using it.
Jason: Hello! I've been reading a lot of different things. This morning I was reading 1 Thessalonians, and there was a passage that stuck out to me that Paul was writing. When he spoke the Word, Paul spoke with power, the Holy Spirit, and with conviction. That stuck out to me as I was reading--how he brought the Word and how he preached. His boldness.
LindsayG: I'm talking w/a girl who I met on your website. She is feeling brought down by the enemy and I'm trying to encourage her and help her along in her walk. I've sent her Bible passages and she says they've helped her, but is there any other advice you can give me for helping her?
Jason: I think the best way to help is to listen. Not necessarily giving a quick response--you can encourage someone by hearing their heart and what's going on inside. You can give them an answer based on what you know about the situation, but ultimately lead them back to the Scriptures.
LindsayG: That's what I'm trying to do. :)
livinloud4GOD: What is you favorite book in the Bible?
Jason: One of my favorite books is Ruth. Two of my favorite chapters are Romans 8 and 15.
Linzi: What does it feel like to have your gift of song and speech and know that God is using you in such a major way?
Jason: Feels awesome to know that I'm walking in my destiny and the purpose I was created for.
saranashley: I just wanted to ask you to pray for our youth group and ask God to strengthen it because some of them are doing stuff they aren't supposed to and they really need prayer. So just pray that God will strengthen us and to use us GREATLY!!!
Jason: I will, absolutely.
PlusOneAngel: You rebelled against your parents, but how did your parents deal w/ your rebellion?
Jason: When all that was happening, I'm not sure they knew how to respond. I don't know if they knew completely what was happening until after I expressed what was going on. They were heartbroken and disappointed and wondered if they had done wrong or right. But really it was my own free will to decide to do what I did. It wasn't because my parents didn't do the right things, and I expressed that to them.
Jason: Ultimately, God has a plan for my life. My parents see how my testimony has been turned around for the glory of God. They are thankful to God that He does work all things together for the good of those who love Him.
UnceasinglyPraying: Jason, First I want to say that as a result of your speaking at Dreamchaser last year I was able to witness to a girl and she was saved and led her whole family and best friend to Christ! Your book completely changed my prayer life, between it and the Obvious concert I went to. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and I was called very clearly to become a Prayer Warrior for you guys. That's how come the screename Unceasingly Praying. It was Ephesians 6:18-20 that really spoke to me. Jason, I knew the calling was real when I was called to my knees to pray for Gabe's health. It would have been the same night he was rushed to emergency with his pneumonia! How has your prayer life changed as a result of your surrender?
Jason: WOW! My prayer life has changed because it pretty much went from nonexistent to praying every day. Praying at all times. The Bible talks about prayer without ceasing, as you said. Also look at Psalm 19:14--The "meditation of my heart" as in this verse is constantly to be in a state of prayer and intercession.
plusone4evagurl: I would just like to tell him thanks 4 writing his book and 4 leading me to the Lord!
Jason: You are welcome 4evagurl!
JasonsBeanieBuddy: Jason, is it true that you are gonna be touring by yourself as a preacher this summer?
Jason: Yes, I have several speaking engagements at festivals this summer.
plusonefan4ever: Hey Jason, I want to say that I am so sorry about your apartment and that I am praying for you. I wanted to know, my best friend says she is a Christian but she doesn't believe the Bible is true or that God really loves her. I pray for her, but what else can I do to help her?
Jason: Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Everything is working out. It stinks to lose all your clothes, but I'm slowly getting everything back!
Jason: Concerning your friend, if she doesn't believe in the truth of the Bible or that Jesus loves her, you have to think she may not actually be a Christian. Those are two of the basic foundations of our faith. I would ask you to keep on praying for her, and keep on trying to live your life as an example for her. Don't continually talk about faith issues, because that can become old and turn her off. But let her know that you want the best life for her that is possible, and that's life lived in the love of Jesus Christ. Remember that you can't make her decision for her. With your prayers and your example, trust God that He will help her find the Truth. He loves her more than you do; but He won't force anyone to follow Him.
Mandy_21: Hi Jason! I was wondering, What was the hardest part about putting out a book?
Jason: Making all the corrections was the hardest part--doing all the proofreading, making sure everything was right! I had to reread EVERYTHING so many times to make sure it was right--it was tedious. Kind of like making a record--everything has to be perfect. Same thing with a book. Every word has to be exactly perfect. It's pretty meticulous. It was a lot more work than I thought it would be, but it's paid off.
Unshakeable: I am going on a mission trip in two days to China for a whole month. And I am waiting for God to provide for me. I know that He'll come through even if it's at the last moment! I've been waiting for 4 years to go and satan has tried to stop me in every way, so I give God all the glory. I just need all the prayer that I can get so could all of you do that? Plus, thanks for having faith that God could work through you to touch someone through your book.
Jason: That's awesome. God will provide for you, Unshakeable--He will make a way. Just remember, if something happens and you don't get to go--He has a plan for you here.
ilivelifeloud4God: Hi Jason my name is Sarah and I was wandering what was on your mind on the first day of the book's release? It's just gone to the top and it's only 2 months old. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Jason: Thank you. I was just so excited about the release of the book and the impact it was going to have. To see that so much hard work was put into it, to see that payoff on the release day was really neat.
sprtluvr82: First I wanted to say that like you I have grown up in church and for four years my dad's been a pastor. I've gone through stuff like you, and I've recently been reading my Bible. But sometimes it seems like I just know it all, and I was wondering if u could give me tips on a good devotional to get more out of the Bible.
Jason: The most important things are the basics--building a solid foundation of the faith, and that isn't just done by going through all the religious activity or all the religious motion, but getting the Word in your heart. I thought I knew everything there was to know, but didn't know one Scripture on repentance. And so what I did was, I started memorizing five Scriptures on repentance, five on faith, five on baptism, five on the Holy Spirit, five on lordship; and began to get those foundational blocks in my heart. It's amazing how much we think we know, when we really need to go back and get those foundations in us so we can turn around and be effective for other people.
Jason: Inspiration for writing the book came through getting responses from our fans after sharing my testimony at the shows. I began to receive countless emails and letters from young people who could ID with my story and could ID with the need to change and surrender to Christ. Through that came the motivation for wanting to compile my testimony in book form and release that.
lauren84: I'm going on a missions trip to Salt Lake City this summer. Do you have any advice on witnessing to others? I'm still timid about witnessing to unfamiliar people.
Jason: The confidence in sharing the gospel really comes in knowing the gospel, in giving what you have. The biggest thing is being prepared with the Word.
PlusOneGurl05: I just want to ask you to pray for my best friend since her grandma is in the hospital. Second, I want to tell you how much your music has helped me! I have been through some things. Honestly your song "Forever" made me cry (ok sorry I'm crying right now). You have inspired me so much and I wanna thank u for that.
Jason: Thank you.
Miss Joy: I was just wondering if Plus One is making any plans to come to Canada in the near future? You have some people up here that have been touched by your testimony and music. Also, could you pray for me? God is showing me the direction He wants me to go. I just want to do it according to His perfect timing.
Jason: As of now, it's not on the schedule to come to Canada, but you never know! We definitely want to tour in Canada sometime in the near future, but don't have the opportunity to do that yet.
CaptainCrunch: Hi Jason! There are rumors going round that you and Joy are pre-courting. Is it true? and What kind of shampoo do you use?!
Jason: No, Joy and I are just friends. We happen to go to the same church in Nashville and hang around a lot of the same people. Shampoo? I don't wash my hair every day. My hair works better when I don't wash it every day.
JasonsBeanieBuddy: Washing your hair is so overrated!
Granite City: Hey Jason, my name is Katelyn, I'm from Granite City, IL and I have been in church my whole life and it always seems like I get so up there in God then all of a sudden I just fall back down again. How do you suggest to keep the spiritual walk in Christ strong because I am unable to find a mentor?
Jason: Katelyn, sometimes emotion plays a part. Don't let emotion control how you see your Christian life. Remember the truth that He will never leave you or forsake you. Never. Keep reading your Bible and praying. Look for some strong Christian friends in your youth group. Sometimes, you may need to talk with your parents or your pastor or youth pastor. Don't hesitate to talk with someone, because God will use others to help. Try not to depend on your emotions, because they can change. But depend on God and the truth that He loves you because you are special in His eyes. That will never change.
PlusONEsliLAngel: I'm Rebecca. Because God works all things for good, what do you think about the fire at your apt? Thanks for the great concert April 6th in Portland, OR!
Jason: You know, I think a lot of things. At first I didn't want to over-spiritualize the fire, but ultimately there's a meaning behind everything that happens. I really feel like it was God saying that He was wanting to start over with me in Nashville. I felt like God was telling me He was starting over with me because He wanted me there for His purposes in my life. So it's been a new season for me. I feel different; I feel a freshness about being in Nashville and getting established again in a different way. It's really cool. Thank you for your prayers and support and cards and letters--the love that you've shown through this time.
LindsayG: Do you ever come in your chat room?
Jason: Lindsay--I do visit the Web site. But not as much as I'd like--things have been really crazy. But in the future, I'll be visiting more. I lost my computer in the fire, so I'm in the process of getting a new one.
Jason: Thanks to everyone for being here and hanging out! I appreciate you guys and all your love and walk with the Lord. Be strong wherever you go! Visit my Web site at http://www.jasonperry.com
lwmoderator: Thanks to everyone!
livinloud4GOD: I wanted to say thank you SO MUCH Jason for writing your book, because before I read it, my walk with God was not going good at all. And after I read your book it helped me out a lot. Thanks so much!
PlusOneGurl05: YOUR MUSIC MEANS A LOT TO ME!!
MelissaG.: I'm always praying for ya.
Christianity Online:
If you haven't heard about Plus One yet, you will—whether you hear their music on the radio, or see their faces smiling at you from a bus stop bench or billboard along the highway. You won't be able to avoid them. And why would you want to?
These guys want to minister to their peers, and music is the vehicle they're using to get the Word out—the Good News, that is.
As far as their voices go, I knew they were the real while having lunch with them not too long ago. Nate was talking about a song on their album and, with part of a chimichanga still in his mouth, he belted out a dozen perfect notes right there at the table. I'm sure the rest of the guys, while eating their fajitas and burritos, could've done the same thing, but I didn't ask for fear of Mexican food flying back and forth across the table. They can sing, and each of them has for many years.
The first video from Plus One is for their initial radio single, "Written On My Heart." The guys are in a high-rise studio working on some dance moves while people begin to congregate by the building on the street below. One-by-one, Nate, Jason, and the rest of the guys begin tossing pairs of headphones out the window, with some long cords, for the people to listen with. The fact is, a lot of people do want to listen to them, and they are, with first week album sales topping 19,000 checkouts. Were you one of them?
It's time to learn more about these five guys from their own mouths. And don't forget to click over to their official Web site after you've read this interview; it's one of the better band sites out there.
Gabe: "I'm a pastor's son. I grew up just outside San Francisco. At our church, I led worship, sang in choirs, and played several instruments. I love to minister to others, and I love music. I'm lucky to be able to put these passions together and minister through our music. I love seeing people get saved, coming down to the altar and getting saved. They're throwing their past life away and just starting a new one."
Jason: "I'm another preacher's kid. I played the drums at church, and was at every service, whenever the doors were open. The Lord blessed me with a talent, and I want to use it for him to help spread the gospel. I'm really passionate out this group. It's everything I've ever dreamed of musically and ministry-wise. I think Plus One has a lot to offer, especially spiritually. We're a group that is definitely put together and totally ordained by God."
Nate: "I'm also a PK. Don't worry. There are just three of us! My dad and grandpa are pastors. I even thought about becoming a pastor when I grew up. I sang in the church choir and the school choir. I'm really passionate about worship. This group is an important part of my life, and I'm focused on doing what we're supposed to do and being obedient to God. I'm having a good time, and I feel this is God's will for me right now. Music is definitely what I feel called to do."
Jeremy: "I was really independent when I was younger. I even rebelled against my parents and Christianity. But there came a point when I stopped rebelling and started accepting the ideas I'd been told all my life. I started believing them in my heart. God's given all of us the opportunity to minister through this band. He's opened doors and allowed us to use our talents. I want to utilize it as best as I can.
Nathan: I'm 22, the oldest guy in this group. I went to church all my life. But there came a point then I asked, 'What is this all about? What do I really believe?' That's when I really started to form a relationship with God. As I thought about these things, It drew me closer to him. My passion is to see kids and adults alike come closer to God.
How are your concerts different from your secular counterparts you're usually associated with?
Jeremy: "During our concerts we always stop at some point and worship with everyone. Sometimes it's just for five or ten minutes -- however long the Spirit leads. And I think that's a big part of why we're connecting with our audiences so well. Everyone worships together. It's a very awesome thing to stop in the middle of a concert and take time to thank God. It's cool.
"We're asked a lot about the 'boy band' thing. Most of us play instruments, which is different than the typical boy band. During a show, however, we do dance. We've been working hard, and we're getting better all the time. We have an awesome choreographer. He works for Carmen, Out of Eden, and with a lot of other Christian artists.
Another thing we've noticed is that people see us as role models. We'd like to say that you can look to us for a positive message, but Christ is the one we're striving to be like. He's the ultimate role model. If you look to man, they're going to let you down."
Nate: "We haven't gotten used to seeing our faces on billboards, and having fans. We feel like fans ourselves. We saw Michael W. Smith in the hall the other day. It was like, 'Man, we just met Michael W. Smith!' Those are the extra bonuses we get by doing this job. It's neat and fun to us, but that's not really what's important to us. I won't say we don't care about those things -- we took pictures of the billboard with our names on it! But the important thing is that we're getting the message out to people who hear our music. That's the way we look at it.
Obviously, God has done what he's done so far for a reason. He's put a message in our hearts and he's using us to get it out to others. We just keep seeing more doors opening up. It's great."
"As for me personally, the older I got, the more I was involved in music and singing in worship. That's something I'm really passionate about is worship. I sang in youth group and all kinds of different church things and choirs and school and all that kind of stuff. Music was definitely something I knew was involved in my calling in life. The creation of this group kind of brought that about, and I knew I was supposed to do this.
"It might sound cheesy to keep saying music, music, music. So, aside from music, I'm passionate about my family. It's something I think all of us are. I think that's something real important to all of us is just to keep good relationships with our family, and we all do. I talk to my parents every week, not every day, but probably every few days.
"What we're doing right now is real exciting for us. This group is something that is the main focus of my life, and it's hard to give a lot of attention to anything else right now time because I'm so focused on doing what we're supposed to do and being obedient to God. I'm having a good time, obeying God, and I feel this is God's will for me right now.
"It's important to bring the light to people who don't know about Jesus because there are more people that don't know about him than those who do."
Where does your sense of ownership to this project come in? And how does that come through your message?
Nathan: "A couple of us were able to write a song on this album. It's called 'Be.' So when you buy the album, check it out. We didn't think we were going to get a song on this album. But it happened, and that was important to us. We hope to write a lot more on the second album. The album is called 'The Promise.' That's also the name of the title track, which will probably be our second single. It's a great song. We love this album, and are so excited. We think people will really like it.
"Our message is the main thing we hope people will get but, obviously, the first thing that's going to attract listeners is our sound. So we hope once they start listening to the album they would really hear what we're trying to say. I want people to have something they aren't ashamed to let their non-Christian friends hear. And I pray our music shows others that Christians can have fun and that they've got cool music."
Jason: "I feel strongly about having a true purpose for this group because the reason I sing is because of Jesus Christ, my Savior. The Lord blessed me with a talent, so I'm going to use it for him. There's such a difference in singing when you're ministering.. We all love to sing, but really the whole reason we do this is for ministry and to spread the gospel."
How can you relate to many of the people listening to your music?
Jeremy: "I developed my own faith rather than it being only the faith of my family or my pastor.
"I went to a Christian school. And I had a lot of friends that totally, I could tell, rebelled just because ever since kindergarten they just heard the same thing over and over. And as I mentioned, I went through that stage as well.
"A lot of my friends would be at church, and then around eighth grade they stopped showing up at church. Then all of a sudden I heard about stuff that they'd do. My friends were just totally turning the wrong way because they felt like they didn't have the chance to try these other things.
"They wanted the choice and they wanted freedom. A lot of times people rebel because they're curious, I think, to know what it's all about and what it's like to do certain things. A lot of people get trapped into it, and then they lose control."
Nathan: "I led worship in my church for many years. And I thought, 'Am I really worshiping?' Because being up on stage and all these guys you forget. Sometimes you're just performing, and you don't really get the time to get in the audience and really worship. So I got to a point where I was like 'What do I really believe? Do I believe because of my parents?'
"I got to that point and I was really starting to get in a real relationship with God. I want to help kids and help adults come to that point, because I know there are a lot of people out there who don't have that relationship and it's just a religious thing.
Stir Magazine Interview:
Christian music has grown over the past years. During the late 70's you could go down to your local Christian bookstore and the music department consisted of one small wall or table. The 80's brought growth to the industry, and the 90's brought an explosion of artists offering music from a variety of styles. The year 2000 will be remembered for the introduction of the first "Boy Band" to the Christian music industry - meet Plus One.
Plus One has hit the Christian Market like a storm with the introduction of their debut album, The Promise, in late May. The album broke sales records for a new artist as the group sold more than 19,000 copies of the album during its first week in stores. With such strong sales, the album came in at #76 on the Billboard 200 charts. The first single, Written on My Heart, is currently #1 on both the Adult Contemporary and Christian Hit Radio charts and is the top selling album in Christian retail.
So what is Plus One all about you ask? That is exactly the question I had as I was preparing for this interview. First of all, let me begin by explaining that I am not a big fan of bands like N'Sync or the Backstreet Boys. I don't mind the music, but some of their lyrics and dance moves are something that I can do without. Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical of a Christian "Boy Band". Could a Christian "Boy Band" be much different from it's secular counterparts?
The easiest way to answer my questions was to experience the music of Plus One up close and in person. The group was appearing in Seattle, Washington for a promotional concert so I hopped in the car for a three-hour drive to the show. With the help of the group's publicist I was scheduled to meet with the guys for a pre-show interview.
I arrived at the venue for the evening, Overlake Christian Church, ready to meet up with the guys from Plus One. The group is behind schedule, which tends to be typical for the concert business. When they arrive on site they are rushed to the stage for a rehearsal. This provides an excellent opportunity for me to see the guys in action.
As I watched the group run through their songs for the next hour or so I was pleased to see a group of guys with hearts for the Lord. Absent were the sexually laced lyrics and dance moves of secular boy bands. Plus One seemed to be in this for the right reasons!
My observations were confirmed as I met up with the guys just before they went on stage for the evening's show.
Many of you may be wondering just how Plus One got their start. It all started a couple of years ago as the brainchild of manager Mitchell Solarek who teamed up with record producer Barry Landis. Together the duo held auditions and formed Christian music's first boy band. That was just the start as the group was shopped to different record companies. In the end the group landed in the hands of David Foster of 143 records. I guess you could say in the very capable hands of Mr. Foster, who is a 14-time Grammy winner, working with artists like Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Celine Dion and Toni Braxton.
I asked the guys to share with me where they thought they would be down the road with David Foster's help. "All ready we see big doors opening. We sang for Vice-President Al Gore, Laker's games and hockey games. He opened so many doors even before our album came out. You can't even tell what the future is going to be with David. He has the hook ups for sure!"
So guys, tell me your stories of how you became a member of Plus One.
Nate Cole: " I was just finishing up my junior year, I sang at a competition at Estes Park, Colorado. That is where I met our manager Mitchell Solarek. He gave me he card and told me to call him. I was in the dark about what he was planning on doing. I kept in touch with him and auditioned a week before my high school graduation. Then I had to decide, 'do I go to college, or should I do this group thing?' I really needed to hear from God because this was a big deal! I decided to go for it and my whole family felt the release for me to do that.
Jeremy Mhire: "I was on a vocal music scholarship to Southwest Missouri State. I got a call from a road manager for Greg Long, who is managed by Mitchell, our manager. He called me about two days before the audition and told me what it was about. He didn't have a lot of details and I didn't really know who he was, so I said no at first. I tried to go back to sleep after the call and I started thinking about it and that led to calling him back and giving it a shot. So I flew out to San Francisco for the audition. As I found out more about the vision of the group I really felt more comfortable."
Gabe Combs: " One of the guys that was going to be judging the vocal performances at the audition was working with my sister-in-law. He told her about the group and she told him about me. He called me up and told me about the vision of the group. He then told me that I had to send in a picture and tape that day. I looked around and all I could find was my prom picture. I found a tape of me singing in youth group, just messing around. I mailed it in and thought there was no way they were going to call me back. But like a week later they called and invited me to audition."
Jason Perry: "I found out about the group through Nate's second cousin, his name is Rich Wilkerson and he is an evangelist. He came to my father's church and preached one morning and I sang. He came to me after the service and told me about this group that his little cousin was in. He told me all about it. He made some calls that day and the manager called me the next day and asked me to fly out the next Thursday. That day I met the guys and everything clicked and went really well."
Nathan Walters: "I was living in Nashville at the time of the audition. Mitchell called me up and told me about the group. I told him I didn't know if I was real interested. He invited me to audition, but I would need to fly out that day, in two hours. I told him no, but thanks. A week went by, but I was praying 'Lord, if this is your will, the doors will open up again.' Mitchell called me up a week later and asked me to audition there in Nashville.
Time for our interview is running out and the guys need to get ready to go on stage. So I asked the guys one last question. How do you feel about being compared to groups like N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys." We told ourselves that we are not a boy band. But we are five guys, we look like a boy band, we sound like a boy band . . . darn it, we are a boy band. I think that our message will definitely separate us. Our name, Plus One, means you always have a plus one - it is all of us plus one. As long as we have our plus one with us we can do anything and we can always turn to Him. Our album has that message over and over again that God is with us. That is what the promise means."
So there you have it. Christian Music's first boy band. If you like the sounds of the Back Street Boys or N'Sync, you will definitely like what you hear from Plus One. Watch for them at a Christian festival this summer or on tour this fall with Jaci Velasquez.
You can visit them on the web at www.plusoneonline.com.
iBelieve.com Interview:
Plus One: An Inside Look Not all boy bands are alike: find out how Plus One's music has led people to Christ and even saved a life.
iBelieve.com: All right, the girls are dying to know first off, so tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Nate: I'm Nate Cole, and I'm 18 years old. My birthday is coming up; I'll be 19 on the 19th of May.
Gabe: My name is Gabriel Combs. I'm 20, and I'm from Pittsburgh, Calif. I play piano, guitar, bass and drum. I play lots of instruments.
Jeremy: I'm Jeremy Mhire. I'm 19, and I'm from Springfield, Mo. I like penguins. I have penguin pajamas. I wanted to dress up like a penguin last year for Halloween.
Nathan: I'm Nathan; I'm 22. I'm from Lakeland, Fla. I play the piano and the guitar. I am the oldest of six children in my family. I have four little sisters that I miss a lot. They're ages 3 through 10. I have a brother who's 19, and he's actually visiting me right now. I don't really miss him that much 'cause I see him all the time.
Jason: I'm Jason. I'm 17, and I'm from Madison, Ind. As for a fun fact about me, hmm, I'm getting ready to graduate on June 4, so I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be 18 on June 1, and I can't wait. I'm looking forward to graduating. I've got an older brother who's 19. My little brother is 14, and my little sister is 13. So there are four of us. I'm into sports. I like sports a lot.
iBelieve.com: Do you guys consider yourselves a Christian band or a band of Christians?
Jason: We're definitely a Christian band, five guys who love God with all our hearts. It's our passion and our calling to make Christian music and lift up the name of Christ, so that's why we feel God has put us together. He's got a purpose and a plan for Plus One. We're definitely a Christian band.
iBelieve.com: What does "Plus One" mean?
Nathan: "Plus One" has a deep meaning. A guy named Phil Sillas is a writer for our title cut, "The Promise," and we were all trying to think of names for our group. We had considered "Blue," "Daniel" or "Rubicon." We were like, "We don't want to be called Rubicon!" It's like "Take Rubicon for your headaches." After a while, Phil Sillas said "Hey, what about `Five Plus One,' `plus one' meaning God because He's always with you. We said, "Yeah, that's cool." So we narrowed it down to Plus One. Because Phil is a little on the older side, we take his ideas and make them cool, you know. Our name is a constant reminder that we're never alone, and God's always with us. It's us, plus One.
iBelieve.com: You're with Atlantic records and also 143 Records, David Foster's label...
Gabe: Actually Atlantic on the Christian side; it's Atlantic Nashville. We just met with Atlantic in New York, the mainstream side a couple of weeks ago. We sang a couple of songs for them, and we might be releasing a pop single in the summer. We have 12 songs on the album, and two of them are love songs. This last meeting we had at Atlantic in New York was just for them to see our hearts and how we're normal guys. I think a lot of them were a little nervous and scared that we were going to be totally freaking everybody out about, "You need to go get your life right." But the visit was just to show them that we're normal guys, normal teenagers. We like to sing and do music. We actually did two of our Christian songs for them and then we did the one pop song that we're probably going to release on mainstream radio. It's called "Last Fight Out."
iBelieve.com: What do you think of all the comparisons to 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys?
Jeremy: Yeah, the comparisons are pretty obvious. Our hope and prayer is that people will be able to see or hear our message and let that be the main thing to differentiate us from any other pop band, not just Backstreet Boys or 'N Sync, but any pop message that's just about feeling good and having fun. Our message is more about the real relationship you can have with Christ. And not just that, but we hope that our sound can be a little different. We have a lot of different influences with nine producers contributing to the album, so it adds a lot of texture and flavor to the project.
Nate: As a group, we never dog 'N Sync or Backstreet Boys because we listen to their music and stuff, and I think the main difference is they're more on the entertainment side. There's nothing wrong with entertaining. I think we entertain plus we have a message.
Nathan: Another thing about us that's different than a lot of the pop bands is that we all play instruments—some a little more than others—but everybody plays. We'll really mature more as a band in the future, but at least three of us have played live at concerts before. We're kind of new at the whole thing, so we don't know exactly what we're going to do as far as the setup of our concerts, but sometimes we'll get together and three of us will do a little acoustic set, something different. And we do worship songs during our concert. We'd like to mature as a band to where we're not just doing pop music all the time. We want longevity in this group. The potential is definitely there. We like doing the dance thing. That's always going to be part of it, but it's cool that we also do the instrument thing.
iBelieve.com: Have you been doing any performances lately?
Jeremy: When we lived in San Francisco, we started going to churches in the area and in Sacramento, where Nate's from. We went to sing at his church and a few churches around there for a couple of months. That really helped us get used to singing together. Right now, we've been doing a lot of dates, festivals, a pre-crusade thing for Billy Graham in West Virginia and youth rallies in Clinton, Ill., and stuff like that. This fall, we're going on tour with Jaci Velasquez.
Nathan: It's kind of cool, because you see how our concerts have progressed from doing churches where we didn't know exactly what songs we were going to do on the album, and we were actually singing to tracks, and that wasn't really cool. One concert comes to mind. At the Billy Graham pre-crusade, there were about 4,000 kids, maybe more. And they were like, "Hey, please welcome Plus One." We came out; the fans were screaming, and we did a little dance thing. The applause went up to another level of intensity that we didn't expect. We couldn't hear the monitors, and some of us were almost messing up our dance. But it was cool. We had fun and everything, but we shared our hearts, and that's why we were there. About 400 kids got saved that night. It's cool to see this coming together. We're having fun doing what we're doing musically and also spiritually. It's weird. I got an e-mail the other day from this girl. She said she was at a concert, I think she was 16 or 18 years old, and she said that she was crying during one of our songs. It just really touched her, and she said she gave her life to God. I'm like, wow! That's pretty cool. Our group is affecting people.
Jeremy: When we were in Sacramento singing, when we'd only been together two or three months, this lady came up to me after one of our Sunday morning concerts at their church. We were walking down the aisle, and I was the last person. All of a sudden, someone grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, and this lady was weeping and everything. She started telling me how she was pregnant and the doctors had told her that her baby was going to be born with Downs Syndrome. There were probably going to be a lot of other problems, too. She said that she had really thought hard and long about having an abortion, but she said while we were singing the title song from our album, The Promise, she really felt at peace and that God was saying to go through with the pregnancy. I sat there and prayed with her and cried with her. It was really, really amazing. It was one of the first times that I got to see how God was going to be able use us.
iBelieve.com: What kinds of things are you going to do to make sure you keep that right focus?
Gabe: We get this question a lot. Of course because we're young, being out on the road by ourselves is a scary thing. There really is no one to be accountable to. We are hoping to find a road manager who will be more of a pastoral figure, who will sit down with us and lead our devotions. We need someone we can just talk to and be accountable to during the day. We have a really good label, Atlantic. Barry Landis is very good with that. He leads us in devotions a lot, and our manager also keeps us in check a lot of times.
Jeremy: There are times as a group where one or two of us will grab each other and say, "Hey, do you want to do a devotion real quick?" We pray together quite a bit, which is good, and I always go to them for stuff if I want to them to pray about something. Gabe holds Nathan accountable.
Gabe: I tell this story all the time, but it's funny. This is an example of how we keep each other accountable. The other night Nathan went out with some members of the opposite sex. It was getting kind of late, so I called him up on his phone and said, "Nathan, where you at? What are you doin' Nathan?" He said "No, man we're just having dinner. We're not doing anything." I said, "OK. Cool. Well, get home soon." We keep each other accountable like that.
iBelieve.com: Do you all live in Nashville? Do you live together?
Gabe: We just moved here. We've been living here for about a month now. We live in a three-bedroom apartment, which is a lot better than where we used to live. We first lived in San Francisco in a one-bedroom apartment. In L.A., we lived in a two-bedroom apartment. In the San Francisco one, I slept in a closet.
iBelieve.com: How do you know David Foster?
Jeremy: Barry Landis at Atlantic knew David, and David wanted to get into Christian music. He actually dropped a group from his label because he signed them as a Christian group and then they didn't want to sing Christian music, and he said, "Well, that's what I want to do." So, he met us and we were all worried that he was going to be like, "So now I want you to sing all these love songs." Not that there's anything wrong with that. We were worried that he would want us to totally forget the Christian industry and go straight to the pop market, and he was all worried that we wanted to do pop. It worked out. He's awesome. He's the most humble and genuine guy, just generous with his time and money and everything, and he's an awesome producer. The fact that he's able to affect both our generation and our parents' generation with music that he's written and produced is a testament to how avwesome he is at what he does.
iBelieve.com: How do you all know each other?
Nate: There was actually an audition for the group. Gabe and I knew of each other because we lived about an hour away from each other. We both went to Christian schools, and both of our dads are pastors, so we saw each other at a lot of things. I think we mentioned our manager, Mitchell Solerek, and Barry Landis with Atlantic. Those two guys basically had the vision of putting the group together. Mitchell held an audition. Two of us are from the West Coast, Gabe and I, and then Jason's from Indiana. Jeremy's from Missouri, and Nathan's from Florida. We all kind of found out about the audition in different ways. We all have our stories.
iBelieve.com: What kinds of things do you like to do when you're not singing?
All: Shop. Swim. Go out to eat. Go out and meet people.
iBelieve.com: Here's an opportunity to introduce each other. How would you describe Nathan?
Gabe: Nathan's a brain. I don't understand how his brain can go in so many directions at once, and yet he can still regurgitate it all out into a sentence. He's the philosopher of our group. You can always count on him to get into a really in-depth conversation, or if you want to pick something apart like, "Is this a Jolly Rancher or is this thousands of molecules of little tiny sugars?" he'll sit there and do that with you.
iBelieve.com: How would you describe Gabe?
Nathan: He's like the funniest guy in the group. He can impersonate anybody. We'll meet people who have things about them, and we'll all look to Gabe afterwards when we leave and he'll ... (don't worry, there's nothing weird about you so he won't be making fun of you). He's just really funny.
iBelieve.com: How would you describe Nate?
Gabe: Nate's the cutest one of the group. The cute younger-brother type.
Nathan: Nate is a really good speaker in concerts. He thinks of some really good stuff. And spiritually, he knows our heart as a group, and I think he verbalizes that in a good way. He knows how to formulate our ideas and what's in our hearts and verbalize that.
iBelieve.com: How would you describe Jason?
Nate: Jason is the youngest member of the group. Jason's another hottie that all the girls like.
Jeremy: Jason has lots of muscles. He's the morning person of the group. He sings a lot in the morning. He always sings a bunch of hymns in the morning. He'll be waking us up with "To God Be the Glory" (sings like an old man).
Nate: He's one of the strongest lead vocals in our group. It's funny, we joke about him singing early in the morning, but we had a showcase at 8:30 one morning, and we had sound check at 7:30. It was so early. He can hit high notes early in the morning, just like it's the record. He's a good live singer.
iBelieve.com: How would you describe Jeremy?
Jason: Jeremy is 19. Jeremy is half Filipino. He's got the flavor. Jeremy is a very good speaker. He thinks through what he's going to say before he says it.
Nate: Everyone adds something unique to the group. I think Jeremy is a lot different from me, but we still get along. He's really opinionated, so we get into a lot of good conversations and stuff. He's really bold, and he's not ashamed to say what he believes.
Nathan: That's one thing Jason has really helped me with - expressing and standing up for what I really think. We've gotten into a lot of deep conversations about a lot of spiritual stuff and a lot of other stuff too.
iBelieve.com: What is the most important thing you want people to know about Plus One?
Jason: I think the most important thing about Plus One is that we want people to know that we are five guys who love to sing. We love music, but we love God, too. You know that we're going to be real. We're not about show. We're not in this just for the teenage girls or for any other reason but to minister and do what God's called us to do. We all feel God has hand-picked each and every one of us to be a part of Plus One and that God has a purpose and a plan for Plus One, a divine mission that He's called us to do. We're just excited about it. It's pretty awesome.
Gabe: I think that really sums up what I want people to know about our group. We want to be able to use every opportunity that we have to sing for Christ and positively influence our culture.
Nathan: Like Jason said, we're not just in it for the show. We want to encourage everyone to have a personal relationship with God. I really love God because He's a real God. He came and He died for us, but now He lives. You can talk to Him like a normal friend and a father. I just want to help convey that to other people and encourage them to think the same way.
Jeremy: There's definitely a difference between believing something because you've been raised with it and your parents have told you to and developing your own sense of faith and believing something because you believe in your heart. We want to help people develop their own faith.
www.christianitytoday.com
World's Most Popular Carolers
Christmas
Plus One (Atlantic)
New–to–Traditional %: 30/70
At first glance, Plus One's Christmas looks deceptively simple for a holiday album. Produced by such acclaimed producers as David Foster, Tedd T., Bernie Herns, and Matthew Gerrard, it appears to be a collection of old favorites interspersed with a few new songs, performed in Plus One's popular teen pop style. Actually, that's mostly correct … except for the teen pop part. Those involved obviously recognized the fact that Christmas albums are an opportunity to present a variety of musical styles without offending your fan base, which means Christmas is more fun and mature than you'd initially expect. If you're looking for obvious teen pop arrangements of Christmas favorites, you best check out Jump5's new Christmas offering listed below. Yes, there are slick dance pop arrangements of "What Child Is This?" and "O Holy Night," and "Our Christmas Prayer" is the type of big power ballad you'd expect from Backstreet Boys or these guys. "I Won't Forget Christmas," written by the group's Nathan Walters with Jess Cates and producer Matt Gerrard, is equally adult contemporary sounding in its challenge to remember the reason for the season. But then there's "This Is Christmas," co-written by Plus One's Nate Cole and producer Tedd T., a surprisingly rocking pop anthem designed to lift the spirits of those troubled by the tragedies and trials of this world. The guys do an excellent a cappella rendition of "Silent Night" and an irresistibly fun boogie-woogie big band cover of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." There's a fine medley of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and "O Come Let Us Adore Him," that's seamless in its transitions, building nicely over the course of the track. "A Prayer for Every Year" is a slightly reworded, less secularized version of Amy Grant's "Grown-Up Christmas List," which was co-written by producer David Foster. Overall, it's a satisfying Christmas album – a little predictable, but not nearly as much as you'd think, and appealing to a broader audience than teenage girls.
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