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Jeremy Camp – Christian Contemporary Rocker

By Kim Jones, About.com

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Jeremy Camp

Courtesy of: bec recordings

Jeremy Camp Biography:

Many people look at someone's success and never see the hard times that came before. Take Jeremy Camp for example. Jeremy seems to have it all - a beautiful family, a succesful career, hit songs ... but it wasn't always that way.

Jeremy left home in Lafayette, IN, for Bible college in California, not sure what God had planned for him. He learned all the biblical knowledge he could, and spent his downtime playing guitar. After hearing him playing in the dorm kitchen, the school’s worship leader encouraged him to get involved in the music ministry opportunities available on campus.

It wasn’t long before Camp was leading worship all over Southern California. It was at one of those shows that he met his future wife. He was playing for a small Bible study group in the San Diego area where he was living when he noticed her. “I started to play a worship song and she raised her hands high above her head to praise God,” Jeremy recalls. “I was in awe of this woman who obviously loved Jesus so much.”

They spent that summer getting to know each other better, but after four months of dating, Melissa wanted to break up. She knew that God was preparing her for something and needed time with Him.

Jeremy was heart broken, but he threw himself into his work and his ministry thrived. Before long, he was called to the see Melissa, then 20, who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “I walked into the hospital and she was just beaming,” Jeremy recalls. “You could tell she wasn’t bummed out. She was just trusting the Lord. It was amazing.”

Five months later they married but during their honeymoon, she started having stomach problems. Doctor's said she only had months to live.

On Feb. 5, 2001, Melissa went to be with the Lord. As she took her last breath, Jeremy and her family began worshipping God, singing the same songs they had played during her hospital stays. “I didn’t want to do it,” he says, “but I knew I was learning something about obedience.” Melissa's wish was for her death to impact others for Christ - and it is.

Fast forward a few years and you'll find Jeremy happily married with two beautiful daughters, nine No. 1 back to back radio hits under his belt and numerous awards.

He's on top, but this is a man who has been to the bottom ... and allowed God to bring him back up.

Jeremy Camp Notes & News:

Jeremy Camp Fun & Trivia:

In December 2003, Jeremy married Adrienne Liesching (of The Benjamin Gate). They have 2 daughters - Isabella Rose (9/25/04) and Arianne Mae (4/5/06)
Jeremy Camp's Birthday
Song of the Week - May 8, 2006
Song of the Week - August 1, 2005
Song of the Week - June 20, 2005
Jeremy Camp Lyrics Challenges
Who Sings "Beautiful One"?

Jeremy Camp Links:

Official Site
Jeremy Camp - Video on Compassion International
Lyrics
Guitar Tab
Bass Tab

Jeremy Camp Awards:

2006

ASCAP Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year

2005

GMA Awards

ASCAP Song of the Year

CCM's Reader’s Choice for Favorite Artist and Favorite Male Artist

2004

Dove Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year

American Christian Music Awards - Outstanding Praise & Worship Album for Carried Me: The Worship Project

Christian Music at About.com
- Top 10 Songs of the Year Winner (Readers Choice) - "Right Here" & "Walk By Faith"
- Top 10 Songs of the Year Winner - "Walk By Faith" & "Right Here"

CMCentral Readers Choice
- Artist of the Year
- Male Artist of the Year
- Pop Male Vocal Performance "Take You Back"
- Rock Male Vocal Performance “Stay”
- Praise & Worship Album of the Year - Carried Me
- Short Form Music Video - "Take You Back"
- Long Form Music Video In 24