Jason Champion

Jason Lamar Champion (born May 1, 1973) is an American gospel musician. He started his music career, in 1992, with the group, Men at Large, but he left the group in 2007. The impetus for him was his burgeoning and newly blossoming relationship with Jesus Christ. He signed to EMI CMG, in 2008, which at the time was owned by Sony Music Entertainment. His first and only album to date, Reflections, was released in 2008. This album charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, and he got a Grammy Award nomination for it at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album category.

Jason Champion
Birth nameJason Lamar Champion
Born (1973-05-01) May 1, 1973
Cleveland, Ohio
Genresgospel, urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B, contemporary R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrumentsvocals, singer-songwriter
Years active1992–2007 (with band)
2008–present (solo)
LabelsEMI CMG
Associated actsMen at Large

Early life

Champion was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 1, 1973, as Jason Lamar Champion,[1] the only child and son of father Leonard Franklin Champion (December 29, 1952 – May 1, 1992),[2] and mother Miriam Champion (née, Banks).[3] His father died on his nineteenth birthday.[4]

Music career

His music career got started in 1992, with the band Men at Large, however he left the group in 2007 because he experienced the conviction of Jesus Christ upon his life through a comment made by his fellow band member.[4] This eventually lead him to sign with EMI CMG, which was a division of Sony Music Entertainment at that time in 2008. His first and only album to date, Reflections, released on May 27, 2008,[5] and it charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart at No. 23.[6] The release was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in the category for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. Charity Stafford, reviewed the album at AllMusic, referring to the songs as "subtle but unmistakable declarations of faith".[5] Melody Charles, indicating in a review from Soul Tracks, realizes, "Reflections will put pep in your step on the way to Church on Sunday morning and could very well keep your spirits up throughout the rest of the week."[7] John Fisher, rated the album a seven out of ten for Cross Rhythms, recognizes, "On the whole not a bad effort to kick start his EMI recording career though there doesn't appear to be a smash hit song here."[8] The album was produced by Warryn Campbell of The Soul Seekers.[8]

Personal life

The Cleveland, Ohio native was married to R&B singer Paula Champion. They have two sons, Isaiah and Michael

Discography
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[6]
US
Gos
Reflections
  • Released: May 27, 2008
  • Label: EMI CMG
  • CD, digital download
 23
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References
  1. "Songwriter/Composer: CHAMPION JASON LAMAR". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  2. "Leonard Franklin Champion – Death Record". Ohio Death Records. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  3. "Jason Lamar Champion (b. 1973)". Ohio Birth Records. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  4. Staff. "Jason Champion Interview". DaGospel Truth. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  5. Stafford, Charity (May 27, 2008). "Reflections – Jason Champion". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  6. Billboard. "Jason Champion : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  7. Charles, Melody. "Jason Champion – Reflections (2008)". Soul Tracks. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  8. Fisher, John (October 14, 2008). "Review: Reflections – Jason Champion". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
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