You can find Jeremy Gibson at Calvary Baptist Church on Sunday mornings. Yes, he’s a newly signed artist with Dream Records. Yes, he has a brand new release. No, you likely won’t catch him coming to a venue near you.
Instead, you will find him in Easton, Pennsylvania—due north from Philly and west from the Big Apple—in his post at CBC. It’s the community that knows him, loves him and keeps him grounded. For Gibson, he’s able to write songs like the inspired work found on Worthy of It All because he’s remained so deeply rooted.
If you’ve not listened to Gibson’s music before, Worthy of It All is a great place to start. He’s a humble, honest musician who simply wants to honor God, his community and the bigger church with the best possible songs he can write.
CCM: You’re newly signed to Dream Records. How did they enter the picture in the first place?
Jeremy Gibson: I have a friend from when I was young who is connected with Dream and knows some of the staff there. He saw some videos and reached to me saying, ‘Hey I’d like to make this connection for you if you’re interested.’ At the time I was talking to a couple different labels, but Dream was the most understanding of my desire to stay put and keep investing in a church family. I think they understand that my biblical community around me is necessary—not only for me as a person but for me to be able to write the kind of music that I’m writing. That was really what drew me to them.
CCM: What informs that level of importance for you?
JG: I guess it’s the scripture that informs it, from biblical discipleship and teaching. Obviously I don’t believe a person is in sin if they go out on the road. I just know, for me, that I find it hard to function away from them. I think the scripture is clear that we need the truth of God and the spirit of God and God’s people. I find that much more fruitful in my own life when my interaction with God’s people are the same ones who know me well, can love me well and walk beside me to hold me accountable. That informs a desire to stay put.
I want to be careful because I don’t want to sound judgmental or critical of others who’ve chosen the touring life. This is just what I’ve learned that I need personally. I know that I need the support of my family and my church. Plus being on the road can be so busy and taxing that I actually stop writing. I find it difficult to keep writing and that’s where my joy is in music. So I just waited on the right option with a label who could respect and appreciate that.
CCM: Have you always played music or been around a lot of music?
JG: My dad was a worship pastor for 20 years, and he did that before he started a mission organization. My parents met in music school and there was definitely a Partridge Family element when at least everyone did something musical. My earliest memories are my parents leading worship and writing and singing songs in the living room. My dad is also a singer-songwriter, and that’s what attracted me to music—that idea of writing original music. Ministry aside, songwriting is something that’s been a primary pursuit, even over some of the technical skill that I should have paid more attention to.
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