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10 Questions with ... Jeremy Vanderloop
January 7, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography
- 2010 The Rescue
- 2011 Love Is In The Air
- 2012 All Creation Sings
1. Give us a brief synopsis of Jeremy Vanderloop. Growing up, school, family, etc.
I grew up in a Christian home with great family values. Some of my fondest memories were of my entire family and I camping around the State of FL once a month for 13 years. God radically began to pursue me at the age of 14, and my life has never been the same since. I was known as a "Jesus Freak" in high school. Some of my fondest memories with Jesus were when I was 16 and 17, my junior and senior year in high school. I would spend countless hours a day hanging out with Jesus and learning the Father heart of God. When I was 18, the Lord sent me to Mozambique, Africa to learn how to love like He loves. Shortly after I returned home, my father tried committing suicide. It was then that I learned the gruesome truth that, after my parent's divorce, my father started down a destructive road of addiction, specifically an addiction to crack cocaine.
2. What are things like when you're at home?
My current family life is nothing short of amazing. I have been married to the most beautiful and amazing women since June of 2011. I am blessed beyond measure due to my wife, Brittany, being able to tour and minister by my side.
My father is sober and drug free, and my mother is one of my most fervent and active supports. Things got pretty rough with my family in my late teens and early twenties, but God is graciously bringing reconciliation with my father, and my relationship with my brother is continually growing stronger.
3. When did you realize that you had a gift for music? What was your first instrument?
I first realized I had a gift for music when I was 16. I remember vividly praying and asking God if I could "play music for His Glory." Shortly after that prayer, I felt the urge to sit down behind a grand piano at a friend's theatre in downtown Clearwater, FL. I remember hearing someone talk about there being "spaces" between the keys. So I stretched out my fingers, and then they began to move and play beautiful melodies in the key of C. It was nothing short than something supernatural. After that I began to pick up other instruments, but I would have to say my first proficient instrument would have to be the drums. I absolutely loved playing drums.
4. Tell us about your call to ministry. How, when & where?
My call to music ministry happened when I was 19. I had just taken a year off of school, living in Africa and working. I remember walking through the doors of my local community college and hearing God say to turn around and not come back. The first initial thought I had when I heard Him say, "I'm calling you to play music and encourage My church" was, "My mom's gonna kill me." haha
5. What are your three favorite songs on your newest release, and why?
My latest project is a 12-song LP titled All Creation Sings. It's a tough decision to try and pick three songs, but if I would have to choose...
-First would have to be the song "Beautiful." "Beautiful" was definitely a last minute change to the album line-up. I was in the vocal booth tracking for another song on the last week of tracking, and the song just wasn't vibing with the rest of the project. I told my producer to give me a chance to write something else. "Beautiful" was the song that came that week, and we instantly fell in love with the raw feel and decided to do it 100% live in my living room.
-Second would have to be "Let our Lives Sing." I love the orchestral texture of this song and then how it builds into a huge U2-electric guitar-feeling instrumental at the end.
-Third is "The Struggle." I like this song mainly because the of the personal message that it has in it. I believe that every believer can relate to this song. We have two natures battling inside of us each and every day, but we know that at the end of the day, Christ conquered death on our behalf. It faces the daily battle of a Christian and simply declares the truth that "Sin reigns no more, it was crucified and buried with the Grave. You've (God) captured me by Your love, I'm reborn and one in You."
6. You have a single at radio right now, correct? Tell me the story behind the song.
Yes I have a single on radio called "Enduring Love." I wrote this song a couple months after I married Brittany. She had just received a phone call saying that her grandmother, whom she was very close with, was getting ready to pass away. I felt so helpless as my wife was hurting, and I could do nothing to help ease her pain. I asked God to give me a song that would encourage her, for her to know that everything was going to be okay. "Enduring Love" was that song. It represents the simple truth that in the deepest and darkest pits of our lives, God's love endures through it all. No matter how alone or separate we feel from God, the truth is He never leaves our side.
7. I hear that you are a representative for an organization called One Child Matters. Tell us about that.
I absolutely love One Child Matters. I have been representing them for the past year and have helped more than 100 children through my music. My passion for orphans goes back to the time I spent living with 300 orphans in Mozambique. One Child Matters is a sponsorship program where they partner with people in the US to provide and have relationships with children in 17 of the poorest countries on the planet. Their methods are some of the most effective methods I have ever seen. They even flew me to Mozambique last August to see the work they do first-hand. I would encourage everyone to check them out via their website and sponsor a child today! There is a link to their website at the bottom of every page on my website. www.JeremyVanderloop.com.
8. How does life on the road affect your family? Any unique challenges?
I have a very supportive family. One of the largest blessings of my life is that my wife is able to tour and travel with me. I know the majority of artists out there do not have the luxury of having their spouse travel with them.
There are several unique challenges. The major challenge is finding time to sneak away with Brittany for date nights. Marriage has enough challenges of its own at home, but when you add road life into the mix with 5 other guys and your wife needing the attention that every wife needs, it can get pretty hectic at times. The other major challenge is, having to miss birthdays, weddings, holidays, etc.
9. What are the three greatest hurdles for a young up-and-coming artist?
The two greatest hurdles for an independent young up-and-coming artist are:
Booking: As an up-and-coming artist, I do not have the luxury of a booking agent. The shows and events that I get are from word of mouth, relationships, and simply knocking down the doors. The hard truth is that you will not get booked unless they are familiar with you or you make them familiar with you.
Lack of resources: As a young artist I do not have the luxury of large budgets. I have to be creative with the little bit of funds that I can acquire. Everything in life takes money. I surely have been amazed at what has taken place in my life and career with the lack of resources that I have had. God has come through in some pretty miraculous ways. I always remind myself and encourage others that, if you are called, God will provide the way.
10. Are you active in your home church?
I believe that as an artist, one of the most important things in life is to have a solid home base and church. It is important to have people at home praying for you and encouraging you. I try to be as active as possible with my church and community when I'm home from tour.
Bonus Questions
1. If you were an automobile, what would you be, and why?
I would be a 1972-1976 Stingray Corvette. I have always dreamed of having one since I was a little kid.
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