JASON CHAMPION
Within a matter of weeks, Champion's former Men At Large road manager, Leonard Brooks (Brooks Entertainment Group) called to create new opportunities with him as a solo artist. Anxious about the possibility of recording again and with a perspective that his past experiences gave him, Champion embraced the new challenge. He drew upon relationships that he crafted is his past, including working with Warryn Campbell (whom he met during his time touring with Franklin), who produced ten out of the eleven Reflections album tracks.
Campbell produced Champion, alongside his wife Erica who contributed vocals to the up-tempo, bouncy lead single "Always." Co-written with songwriter/producer/artist Eric Dawkins, the song "is about being encouraged. It doesn't matter what you've been through or where you are going, keep your head up, it's not going to be easy. Your bad days are not going to last always."
Champion mirrors the way God touched his life through his music. "I hope that this message and music will affect someone, some way, some how."
One fine personal example, is the upbeat title track, co-written and produced by Gerald Haddon (a former roommate and brother to gospel artist Detrick Haddon). Laying bare Champ's personal testimony, the song speaks to embracing the God-ordained life that we are all called to have. As the chorus boldly declares, "when I look in the mirror, here's what I see, I see the Savior looking at me/ When I look in the mirror, I don't see me/ I see the purpose, I see destiny." It touches a personal chord with Champion himself, and connects to a wider audience; "I couldn't get away from this particular song ... I think, Gerald had me in mind because those are the things that I struggled with," said Champion.
"Friend of Mine" is one of Champion's timeless contributions from his transition period after Men At Large. Paying homage to his love, admiration and respect for the Father and all of His creations, Champion simply floats over the pulsating drum pattern to declare, "I'm so glad you are my friend." Reflections also carries three other ageless tracks from that period in Champion's life including "Find A Reason," "For Better or For Worse," a duet with his wife, Paula and "He Is the Way." The groove filled sentiments expressed on "The Life" reflect the refreshing, positive and inspirational message found throughout Reflections. "If your mind is at unrest, I want God to come in and breathe on you," he simply acknowledges.
As Jason Champion prepares for this next chapter in his life, he is continuing to be faithful and obedient to the God he serves. "I want to be known as husband and father with integrity. A guy who tried to get it right once he figured out it was wrong. I want to be known as a transparent person and somebody who went to bat for the underdogs." It is here and now, that Jason Champion is comfortable honoring his own reflection.
