Jason Champion

• Interviews
• June 30th

There are some CD’s that you only want to listen to when you’re on your way to church. Then there are other CD’s, no matter what day of the week it is, you could listen to it all day everyday. I wanted to hear this oneALL THE TIME! Jason Champion’s debut solo release, “Reflections”, was one of my favorite releases of ‘08! “Reflections” is a breath of fresh air to Contemporary Gospel music with each song adding consistent originality from track 1 to track 10.

I will say this about Jason Champion…within 5 minutes of talking with him you will realize that he is honest, genuine and takes all of this “fame” for what is. He’s an open book about who is he, where he’s been and where God is taking him.

You started out in the R&B group Men at Large. How was that experience?

It was a life long dream of mine to always sing and record, so I had a ball. The energy of the crowd, the screams, it was all new and exciting for me. I mean I was in the 11^th grade working with Gerald Levert in the studio after school! Gerald and I used to get into it all the time in the studio. I was seventeen trying to run things. I was kind of the brat of the group. Despite that, David and I had a good run performing together as Men at Large.

Why did Men at Large breakup?

Well, God started to reveal things little by little. One day, David and I were just hanging out in our trailer preparing to shoot a scene for one of our videos. I started playing around as if I was preaching a sermon. David stopped me very abruptly and said this was going to be my last album because I was not doing what God’s plan was for me. I got mad and changed the subject real quick. In the back of my mind, I knew he was right though. I knew it was the Holy Spirit talking to me through him. So, our second project was released and it was a flop. I was really discouraged at the time because our label wasn’t doing anything for us and our third CD was up in the air. While I was sitting in the basement, the Lord audibly said to me, “Your time is up and it’s time to move on.” It was the craziest thing. I immediately had an anxiety attack because I knew I had to obey God. I knew if I didn’t obey, he wouldn’t be as gracious with me as he had been in the past. I picked up the phone to call David to tell him I was leaving the group, and he was on the other end of the phone. I never even dialed his number. It was the weirdest thing. We were calling each other at the same time. What’s even more of a coincidence is that he was calling to tell me he wanted to go solo.

Are you and David still friends today?

We are two men who will always have history together, but we’re on two different paths. We have a mutual respect for each other and I wish him nothing but the best.

Did you have a plan of what you wanted to do after you left Men at Large?

I was depressed for three months straight. As a child, I loathed smoking weed because my mother had a boyfriend that smoked all the time and it was just disgusting to me. But, during that time, what I detested so much, I was doing every day in my grandmother’s basement. If I couldn’t do Men at Large, I didn’t want to sing anymore. I was so discouraged.

So how did you come out of your depression?

I don’t know that I necessarily came out of my depression, I was just existing. Eventually, I started to learn how to live life without being in the limelight. I got a regular 9 to 5 and lived a “normal life”. But, there was a whole in my heart…like something was missing. For nine years that was a constant struggle for me. During all of this, I started to doubt my singing ability. I didn’t believe I was good at all. I didn’t want to live, but I didn’t want to die. We can be functional just like alcoholics or drug addicts, and have a relationship with God, but still feel lost. God has a way of allowing us to go through challenging situations, so you will always seek him, like Paul.

So how did you meet Kirk Franklin?

I met Kirk when I was with still with Men at Large in Dallas at Juneteenth.  At that time, Kirk and the Family were a local group that was performing. I remember going up to him and telling him that I enjoyed his music. It just shows you, you never know who is going to be on top. And from that time on, we kept in touch through the years. In ‘01, I went to the Stellar Awards and we went to the after party where Kirk performed. It had been 10 years since I had seen Kirk, but he noticed me in the audience. After the show, Kirk said he had an idea and he wanted me to come to his show in Cleveland. He said he wanted me to go on tour with him. I was going through a lot at this time. I was separated from my wife, I had been evicted and I didn’t have a job.  The only reason I took Kirk up on his offer is because I needed to provide for my wife and kids.

You mean you weren’t excited to go on tour with one of the biggest Gospel artists in music?

You have to understand something. I have never believed in myself about anything, since childhood. I am constantly struggling with the idea that I am not good enough.  So instead of being excited, I was scared. I believe this is a part of my ministry though. God wants me to share this. I don’t live in discouragement, but I am discouraged. Some people may think you are trying to be a martyr just to get sympathy and dismiss it. I am grateful to God that I can be open and real enough to say that he’s still working with me. We cannot simply reduce religion and salvation to merely speaking in tongues and religious expression. It’s so much more than that. It’s also about being honest, truthful and allowing others to see God’s love and favor working in your life.

If you are insecure about your singing, how in the world did you record your own solo debut?

My whole life I have lived out of fear. As a child worry and panic were my two best friends, so as a man I carry those same things as an adult. But, it’s interesting how God will take your insecurities and use it to shape you to what he wants you to be. Being a provider for my family is my first priority and God knew that! After my stint with Kirk was up, I needed another gig. A friend of mine was working at Capitol Records and said he wanted to do an album with me. In my mind, I was thinking there is no way I am doing a solo project. I had just gotten comfortable singing with Kirk. But, I knew I needed to provide for my family, so food on the table trumped fear! I met with EMI, but still in the back of my head I was saying I’m not doing this. My manager called me soon after and said everything was a go! They wanted to do an album. Then, one evening I was at the movies with my family and I got a call from Warryn Campbell. I immediately broke out in a cold sweat and had a panic attack. I started to doubt everything. But, I had to provide for my family, so that superseded my fear!

So did you even enjoy recording this CD?

When we first started recording, I had a minor breakdown. I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want people to think I was a fraud. But like only God could do, he came in and quieted my soul and said I have called you to do this. He really calmed my fears. I felt the manifestation of his presence all over me. At that moment, I took the grace of God and moved on.

How was it working with hit maker Warryn Campbell?

Warryn Campbell was an angel without even knowing it! He made the recording process so easy and encouraged me every step of the way. He would always tell me what a gifted singer I was. That meant a lot to me. I love my CD. I think it’s great because I know it’s a Godly album. Even though it doesn’t have the traditional churchy songs, it’s from a genuine place of my love for God.

You were nominated for a Grammy, were you excited?

Hmmm…my Grammy experience was a learning lesson for me. I was in Columbus and I flew to LA for the show and had just enough time to change in the bathroom.  There were a hundred categories and mine was number forty four. My heart was racing. I had a speech prepared and everything. I actually thought I was going to win. Within five seconds, it was all over. My name didn’t get called. Those six weeks of hype were over in minutes. I was out on the next plane. I was disappointed, but God taught me a very good lesson. The reason I breathe is to be a man of God and to be relevant, honest and pure. God reminded me I do what I do for his glory, not mine!

Before we end, I want to talk about your weight? Is it a struggle for you?

Yes, my weight is an uphill battle everyday of my life. My father died at thirty nine on my 19^th birthday. My father was 900lbs. He was morbidly obese. I have incorporated things into my lifestyle that have me on the right track, but I’m still not as disciplined as I need to be. I walk, but not everyday. It’s a constant battle for me. It’s about discipline and self control. We’re trying to lead the younger generation to Christ and teach them the difference between right and wrong, but we can’t say no to a piece of chocolate cake or fried chicken. It’s ridiculously twisted!

Jason Champion’s 20 Random Truths

1. Favorite Gerald Levert song? “Baby I’m Ready.”
2. Dream car? Range Rover.
3. Favorite cartoon? “Batman”.
4. Exercise: Hate it or Love it? Hate it! But, I love racquet ball.
5. Pet peeve? Stupidity!
6. PC or Mac? Mac.
7. Least favorite vegetable? Brussels sprouts.
8. Lactose intolerant? No. Wish I was food intolerant though!
9. If you were stuck on an island what 3 CD’s would you take? Jonathan Butler, Charles Stanley, Nat King Cole.
10. Better cook…you or Paula? I don’t cook.
11. Favorite song on your CD? “Reflections” & “Find a Reason”
12. Favorite Bible verse? Psalms 62:1,2, 5
13. What song has another artist recorded that you wish you would have recorded first? “Open up my Heart”by Yolanda Adams.
14. Faith Evans, Coko, Deborah Cox or Beyonce? Gladys Knight.
15. Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin or Fred Hammond? Deitrick Haddon.
16. Trin-i-tee 5:7, Virtue or Mary Mary? Mary Mary.
17. Favorite cologne? “Bulgari Blue”.
18. Dove or Stellar Awards? Not big on any of them, but it’s nice to be acknowledged.
19. Martin, The Cosby Show or Fresh Prince of Bel Air? “The Cosby Show”.
20. One place you want to visit before you die? Australia.