Jon Gibson (Christian musician)

Jon Robert Gibson (aka "J.G."), born in San Francisco (1964), is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and current worship leader. A pioneering influence in the Contemporary Christian music industry, he is considered one of Christian music's most talented and influential vocalist/artists in R&B and Gospel music with 22 Top Five Hits, 20 Top Ten Hits, 9 Number One Songs and an Album of The Year to his credit (according to Billboard).[2]

A veteran musician, Gibson has performed and recorded with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, M.C. Hammer, Prince, Billy Preston,[3] Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr., Nelson Riddle & The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Tower of Power, Kirk Franklin, Andrae Crouch, John P. Kee, Shirley Caesar, BeBe Winans, Crystal Lewis, Bernard Wright, Tommy Sims, Joe Satriani, Bruce Conti, Doug Webb, Mike Garson, Wilton Felder, Nate Watts, James Jamerson Jr., pianist Rob Mullins, N'Dugu Chancellor, Rick James,[4], Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, Maroon 5 and Cuba Ingram,[5] among others.

After raising money on Kickstarter to finance and launch his most recent album (tentatively titled Project 10 during production), Gibson officially released The Storyteller in July 2012.[6][7]

Early life

Born in San Francisco (1964), Gibson grew up in San Jose, California, only to make his way back to the "City by the Bay" when he was a teenager. A young rebel, the streets of San Francisco became home for Gibson, and after several encounters with the law, being in group homes and time in juvenile hall, he joined the Army (serving in Germany). During this time he discovered a natural ability to write songs. Because of severe allergies, Gibson was given a honorable medical discharge after only 11 months of service.

Upon returning home to pursue a music career with his local band in the early 1980s, between the age of 19-20,[8] Gibson found his father had become a Christian. Jon accepted Christ himself, then eventually began using his talents for God. After attending church as a result of his dad's pestering, Gibson recalls, "I got born again inside that car driving home, and when we got to the house, my father wanted to baptise me and did that right away in the bathtub".[9]

Music career, experiences and recognitions

Prior to his religious conversion, after successfully performing in California clubs, Gibson's first record deal as a secular artist was with SOLAR Records in 1983 where he worked with both Stevie Wonder (including being introduced by and performing "Ebony and Ivory" on stage with Wonder at a San Francisco Bay Area concert between 1983-1984) and Michael Jackson (singing backup vocals on the song "So Shy" but not appearing in the video),[10] in addition to keyboardist Bill Wolfer.[11] Many people had compared Gibson's similar voice and style to both Wonder and Jackson. That same year, Gibson also released a track and video called "She Told Me So" on the subsidiary label of SOLAR Records (Constellation Records).[12][13]

After Gibson was signed to Dick Griffey's new Constellation label, Griffey would have fun tricking a number of his SOLAR artists with Jon's tape (although he's Caucasian, they thought it was Stevie Wonder's voice). Gibson's debut came as a guest vocalist for three songs on Bill Wolfer's Wolf album (Wolfer was working with Michael Jackson on the Off the Wall and Thriller albums during this time).[14] It was during the process of making that album that Jon was introduced to his musical idol, Stevie Wonder, and worked with a crew of other performers such as Jackson, including plans to produce his sister Janet Jackson's first record. Wolfer returned the favor the next year by producing Gibson's debut album, Standing on the One. The debut showed that Gibson was more than a Wonder-clone, and that he had song-writing skills to go with his 'great voice'.

Meanwhile, a local bookstore manager heard Gibson's Warner Brothers/Solar/Constellation release, "Standing on the One", on a secular radio station and realized that beneath the slick and savvy production was a 'powerful message about Jesus'. He bought the album and took it to KYMS, a Christian radio station based in Orange County, California. It soon became the first Christian radio station in the world to play a Jon Gibson record.[15] Shortly after, he was being courted by Capitol Records in the mid-1980s when this independent release became an overnight hit on Christian radio across the country. However, being torn between his desire for pop stardom and his need to give testimony to his Christian faith, Gibson passed on Capitol and signed with Frontline Records (a Christian record label) for the album On the Run, a partial re-release of Standing on the One with a few new cuts.

On the Run was well received (also being re-released in 1990), rendering his first Number 1 single in Contemporary Christian music on Christian radio, entitled "God Loves a Broken Heart". It became the first of a string of over 20 Top Ten CCM Hits. Gibson also experienced success with the #1 single "Friend In You", a ballad which is one of CCM's classic hit songs, from Change of Heart. On this album, he did a cover of "Ya Mo Be There", a song originally performed by James Ingram and Michael McDonald, and co-written by Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones.

Although his first rap solo was 1986's "Ain't It Pretty" from the album On The Run, Gibson wrote and produced the first rap hit in CCM history (by anyone) called "This Wall" featuring M.C. Hammer (it was originally within the lyrics of this song that Stanley Kirk Burrell - or "K.B." - first identified himself as M.C. Hammer)[16], and was featured in TIME/LIFE's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Prior to this time, he was a part of Hammer's gospel rap group Holy Ghost Boys, with songs having been produced before being released on their respective albums. For instance, Hammer would later release a song called "Son of the King" on his debut album Feel My Power (1987) and Gibson released "This Wall" on his Change of Heart album (1988). Burrell, along with Tramaine Hawkins, performed with Jon's band doing several concerts in various halls such as the Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills.[17]

Gibson was reunited with Stevie Wonder on the 1989 album Body & Soul, with Wonder playing harmonica on a remake of his own song called "Have a Talk with God" (from 1976's Songs in the Key of Life). Wonder's 1991 soundtrack album Jungle Fever would go on to have Gibson singing backup in return (e.g. on the track "I Go Sailing"), even touring together.[18][19][20][21] Body & Soul boasted three Top Ten Hits. He later recorded another cover of Wonder's songs ("Happier Than The Morning Sun") on Forever Friends (1992). Additionally, Christian rap pioneer M.C. Peace appeared on two of Gibson's albums, with Gene Andrusco, Rick Zunigar and Rob Watson assisting on the album Jesus Loves Ya (another album earning a spot in CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.)[22][23]

Gibson's smash hit "Jesus Loves Ya" still holds the record as the longest playing hit single in Christian music history. The song spent eleven weeks at No. 1 and became the top selling CCM track of 1991. Only three artists received more airplay on Christian radio stations in that year other than Gibson; Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and BeBe & CeCe Winans. But there were several elements that frustrated the relationship between Jon Gibson and Frontline Records. The main issue was the fact that through the years Gibson was receiving little if no payment for his recordings.[24] "My contract was over when I completed the album Forever Friends", Gibson says. In the end, Frontline Records ran into serious financial trouble and Gibson decided to create his own record label, resulting in a nearly three-year hiatus before his next disc, Love Education, perhaps his best and most eclectic release.

During the process, Gibson was tempted by several record companies with lucrative offers, one offering to wire $100,000 to his bank account. He eventually decided to go with Ojo Taylor and Gene Eugene of Brainstorm Artists International, a company known for its high quality albums in the alternative rock and rap territory.[25] Gibson then got married, had children, and took time off from his music again. Upon returning, he searched for a record contract for two years, finally landing with gospel record label B-Rite Music in 1999 for his The Man Inside record, a consciously urban-sounding album made with master producer Tommy Sims. It didn't fare as well as previous records, and Gibson again decided to take his career into his own hands, creating his own Imagery Records and releasing his first praise album, Soulful Hymns, in 2002.

Gibson was honored for his contributions as a center piece in the CBS documentary Rhythm Of The Heart: The Roots and History of Gospel Music, hosted by the former anchor of Good Morning America.[26][27]

Musical style and training

Gibson's compositions have been the subject of study at major universities such as The University of California, Berkeley,[28] and his arrangements have gained him international respect among musicians.[29] Throughout his career, Gibson has straddled different musical styles and confounded those who tried to label him, creating consistent, original music. While this lack of categorization has limited the promotion of his career (was pop or urban radio really ready to play a white blue-eyed soul singer who sang about his faith?), it has gained for him a loyal following and a catalog of respectfully good music.[30][31]

Gibson not only writes, arranges and produces most of his albums, but he also plays all the instruments himself, except for a few solos. Comments Jon, "I'm not a trained musician. I never took music in school. I dropped out of school in 9th grade. I don't know how to read and write notes. I don't play with any proper technique; I just grab instruments and bang on them. Everything I learned to play, I figured out myself. So I'm not the best musician, but if you give me time, without people coming around, pressuring me ('We have to finish this record by the GMA) when I don't have these pressures on me, I can do tracks closer to the feeling I really want if I play it myself. It takes me longer, but I get more of the feeling I really want if I play it myself."[32]

In addition to playing musical instruments, such as guitar, drums and keyboard, Gibson's soulful voice has been compared to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Donny Hathaway.[33] [34][35][36] Stevie Wonder once quoted in an interview, "Jon Gibson is a real person who has never sacrificed the integrity of his music for his career".

Current projects and ministry

Prior to 2011, Gibson was actively seeking a new recording contract, distribution and publishing deal (after several years away from the music industry to focus on his family), with over 120 published works and 300 unpublished songs. In 2009, according to his official website and articles, he was back in the studio recording his 10th solo album originally titled The Horizons of Knowing with plans for release in late November/early December 2010.[37] However, the album was never made public. Although, on June 7, 2010, Gibson released the single "On a Mission" from the upcoming record which was available as an Internet download.[38][39][40]

Eventually, the song "I'm On a Mission" was featured on his newest album The Storyteller (a delayed project until July 2012). A portion of the funding for the album was raised via Kickstarter.[41][42] A music sample from this album was made available to fans on Youtube via elist in July 2012 and serves as his 10th official studio/solo album. It was mixed by legendary music engineer Dennis Moody.[43]

In addition to recording music the past few years, Gibson plays gigs and performs concerts. Prince hired Jon to be the house band for his Golden Globe's Party. Sitting in with him was Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, Maroon 5 and Matthew McConaughey (on congas).

Gibson currently leads worship services across the nation and also performs for multi-genre, mainstream audiences/celebrities worldwide. He is also a music minister at a California church. Additionally, he provides music videos, online chatting, blogs and streaming music on his social sites such as Youtube and Myspace, in addition to his personal website.[44] J.G. has also appeared/performed on TBN during his career.[45]

Personal life

Jon Gibson married Lisa Rea (a music industry professional specializing in public relations, booking, media and press-related matters)[46] in 1995. They have three children together: Jonathon Thomas Gibson, James Robert Gibson and Jesse Earl Gibson.[47]

Gibson's most recent record is inspired by the death of his beloved father Stanley Earl Gibson, and the project is dedicated to his life and memory.[48] In particular, the single "Your Favorite Song" (from The Storyteller) is a tune about Gibson's peace with his father's passing while conquering his own fears about his future and that of his children.

Discography

• 1983: Standing on the One (12 inch vinyl)
• 1987: On the Run (12 inch vinyl) -- No. 1: "God Loves A Broken Heart"
• 1988: Change of Heart -- No. 1: "Friend in You"; "This Wall"
• 1989: Body & Soul -- Top Ten Hits: "Father Father", "In The Name Of The Lord", "Everyone Needs The Lord"
• 1990: On the Run
• 1990: Jesus Loves Ya -- No. 1 for 11 weeks yielding 1991's top selling CCM single: "Jesus Loves Ya"; "Love Come Down"
• 1991: The Hits
• 1992: Forever Friends -- 5 Top Ten Hits with No. 1's: "Happy To Know Jesus", "Can't Live Without Jesus"
• 1995: Songs Of Encouragement And Healing
• 1995: Love Education -- 3 Top Ten Hits
• 1998: Change Of Heart/Body And Soul
• 1999: The Man Inside -- Top Twenty Album[49]
• 2002: Soulful Hymns
• 2009: Spirit of Christmas Northern Light Orchestra
• 2010: The Horizons of Knowing (unreleased)
• 2012: The Storyteller

External links

• Official home page
• Allmusic Entry
• Jon Gibson at MySpace