Stay
Jeremy Camp
BEC Recordings

Jeremy Camp’s debut record, “Stay” is an open book of his life and of his heart. This 24 year old rock and progressive pop artist, who was inspired by Dave Matthews, Goo Goo Dolls, Creed, Pearl Jam, and Matchbox 20 is working through his ministry to reach the masses and bring them to a relationship with Christ.

Camp's story began as a young man attending Bible College in Southern California. Camp was involved with playing guitar and leading the worship of music ministries on campus. This is where he met Melissa, a woman with God’s joy and love seeping out her entire body. After dating for four months, Melissa broke off the relationship saying that she needed time for God to prepare her for something, but she didn’t know what. A few months later, while Jeremy’s broken heart was still mending and his music ministry was thriving, he was called to the hospital, where he found Melissa, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Jeremy felt God calling him to take Melissa to be his wife, not knowing if she would survive or not. Everything looked positive as she underwent chemotherapy until their honeymoon where Melissa began to have stomach pains. She was taken to the hospital, and told she had mere months to live. Melissa’s last wish was that through her death, if even just one person became a Christian, it would be worth it all.

Jeremy is working hard to make that happen by pouring himself into every note and word he writes and performs. Jeremy has a great quote, “Music is not my life; Christ is my life.” His music shows this, and while it is very powerful, his true devotion is for Christ to shine through every single note.

My favorite songs is “ I Still Believe.” I have many others, but this is the one that sends tears streaming down my face. It was first sung after Melissa’s death, and it is a memorable melody with an awesome text. No matter what happens, God does not leave us, and it is important to remember to still believe in him and his love for us as well as his righteousness. The harmonies are great, and I can really hear his guitar in this one, and that is a wonderful sound. Jeremy is definitely influenced by Creed, etc., but he has really set himself apart with his story.

- Amanda M.