And The Winner Is…
The winner of the 2012 Singing News/Solid Gospel New Artist Search was recently announced. Aspiring artists from all around the country submitted entries that were judged by a panel of judges led by award-winning Gospel artist Jason Crabb.
THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Jason Schuster
BY BARBARA HUFFMAN
Had Jason Schuster’s mother not seen an advertisement for the New Artist Search and insisted her son submit an entry, most likely you would not be reading about him now. “She saw an ad for the contest,” Jason explains, “and told me that I should do it. I’m not that competitive, but she said that she had a feeling that this could be big for me. When she said she’d pay for half the entry fee, I agreed.” Jason’s performance of the song, “I Believe,” that he wrote in part as memorial to the girl who lost her life during the Arizona shooting, was selected as this year’s winning entry.
“I had written the first verse and chorus of the song, and I was stuck on trying to create the second verse. I was home eating dinner and watching television; and they were talking about this small girl who lost her life, and it saddened me and moved me deeply. Without even finishing the meal, I went to the keyboard and finished the song.”
Jason, who lives in Denver, Colorado, has a story that began with an incredible leap of faith. He holds a degree in Finance, and he worked for the world’s largest ammunition manufacturer. He made a six-figure salary, traveling the world, basically taking care of the firm’s clients. In his words, it was his “dream job,” until he heard the Lord calling him into the music ministry. He heard God say, “If you will just cross this line and trust me, I will blow you away by what I can do.” This is just one small part of his faith journey, and this contest win is just one of the awesome things God has made come to pass by Jason’s simple act of being obedient to His voice.
You can read more about Jason’s story and hear his music at:
www.jasonschustermusic.com
JUNE 2012