Getting to know the Jason Eaton Band

Jason Eaton keeps busy. His touring credits range from Hawk Nelson and Rebecca St. James to Big Daddy Weave and 33 Miles. Widely considered one of the best indie bands in the country, the (newly formed) Jason Eaton Band isn't cutting corners when it comes to their music, their faith or their focus. And it shows. At first listen, you know for sure...this is a big deal. "This" is the latest effort from the Jason Eaton Band (formerly just Jason Eaton), One. Hold on tight and stay tuned! Jason Eaton and his band are definitely ones to watch!

 TCM:One is a very spare, but intense title. Tell us more…

The title One, which is the second cut on the CD, for me embodied the complete essence of who not only the project is about, but who my entire life is about. We have often heard the phrase, “an audience of One.” Everything I have done, everything I am, everything I choose to do, is all for the audience of One who sacrificed it all for me.  Being this is the first full length CD; I thought it fitting to dedicate it to the One who gave me everything, especially my salvation!

TCM: What’s the story behind the song “Furious Love”?

Furious Love is from a collection of Vineyard praise and worship tunes I rearranged and put my own pop/rock flavor on.  When I first heard this song I loved the intensity of the message: whatever your shame, whatever you have done to separate yourself from God, His love is furious for you and it makes you new again! God hates our sin, but His immeasurable grace washes the stains of my past, and restores us! 2 Cor 5:19-“that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”

TCM: You’ve had an incredible ride. Your tour schedule has been quite impressive. What have been some outstanding moments to you as you look back on this journey, musically?

Whenever you get the chance to perform with artists that you have admired while developing your own ministry I think it's always an amazing thing. Sharing the stage with artists like Big Daddy Weave, Rebecca St. James and even newer groups like Hawk Nelson, Super Chick, Blue Tree, 33 Miles... has had a huge impact on me and my band this past year. To be able to draw upon their experience and develop friendships with these artists means so much.

TCM: Spiritually?

 We have seen so many young people come to know Christ as their Savior for the first time in our concerts, as well as many who have grown deeper in their walk. This, to me, is the main reason why we do this. It’s the mission and calling on my life and my band. Music is merely the vehicle that allows God’s message of forgiveness and love to penetrate the hearts of young people everywhere. Seeing them come to know Christ early in their life... yeah, that’s definitely the most outstanding moment you could ever have as a Christian artist.

TCM; When did you know that this was your call? Your job, your profession, your livelihood?

 When I was saved at 16, God called me to use my music for Him. At the time I had no idea what that meant or even how. As time went on, God opened the doors. He’s directed me in everything, every step. I can look back know and see every experience I have had, has prepared me for the next. Now as I embark on this new career, I still see Him guiding, leading, opening and closing doors for His purpose and plan.

TCM: A lot of people probably aren't aware that a Christian artist career is not paved with gold... or a 401 k or health insurance or any reliable income. It’s a risky decision, personally. What made you jump?

You know what, it is extremely risky. My family nearly lost our house, we went down to one car and many times we didn’t know if we would have enough food for the week. We have sacrificed and have not been able to do many things families get to do, and it has put immeasurable strain on my marriage, but God has always provided when I could not, or should not, do things on my own. When I stepped out of the way, God was able to guide, protect, restore, and move.  My wife Wendy Jo is amazing. She and I are best friends, but more importantly we seek God in every decision we make. So by seeking Him, we draw closer together. When we draw closer together, God reveals Himself and His plan. Everything is made clear to what we must do next. Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

TCM: Everyone’s got a story, a skeleton, a darker side that’s been redeemed… or not… do you? Will you share?

My story is that of the child who has been brought up in a Christian home, but early on played the role of a Christian without truly having a relationship with Christ. I knew all the right things to say, the right way to act; I was very good at putting on the “Christian” mask but then taking it off when it served me. It was a very dangerous game to play, as Rev. 3:16 states that not all who cried “Lord” will God recognize at judgment, but He will spit them out. It wasn’t until I gave my life completely to Him, that I understood how amazing having a personal relationship with God could be. I have not looked back, I now only look to Him.

TCM: Who are your heroes? Musically? Spiritually? Professionally? Personally? (Any or all!)

Jesus is my hero! How amazing that He would sacrifice everything so that I could be with him eternally! Others that I look up to include Billy Graham, my earthly father who is now with God and Steven Curtis Chapman, an amazing father and husband who has an amazing relationship with God and his family.

TCM: When you hear or say, “God is love…” what does that mean to you?

Just look at the fact that he sent His one and ONLY son to die for OUR sins, essentially for our lives. How can anyone doubt His love for us? The God of all creation, who crafted the planets, the stars, the moon and the earth, cared enough for us to create a way of restoration for us back to Him. We may not understand His ways, but just as a child does not understand all the things a parent does at the time, all will be revealed in His time. It is then we will truly understand the magnitude of His love.

TCM: When you think about the body of Christ and your role within it, what does that look like on a day-to-day basis?

As in Romans 12:3, everyone within the body has an important role to play. Just because I’m a musician does not mean my call is any more important than someone who ushers or calls upon the sick, or leads a small group. In God’s eyes, each role is as important as the next. When someone loses an arm or a leg, or even an organ, the rest of the body must compensate for that loss. Much is the same with the body of Christ; every role is vital to the building of the Kingdom.

TCM:  If you had to describe to someone who had NEVER been in a church before what God/Jesus/Salvation feels like, looks like, is like… what would you say?

A relationship with Christ is like a marriage. Your spouse needs you to communicate daily, show your love in words and in deeds. The more time you put into that relationship the greater that relationship will flourish and grow and the closer you become with one another. God wants us to spend time with Him, communicating with Him, reciprocating His love for us. Because I love Christ, and He loves me, I want to spend time with Him. As we spend time together in His word and in prayer, the closer I grow in my relationship with Him. He is with me everywhere I go, and I can’t imagine not having Him in my life!

TCM: You've been flying solo for a while, but with this project you're re-introducing yourself as the Jason Eaton Band. Why the change?

When I first started out performing I needed a touring band. I auditioned many players, and went through many personnel changes to get to the band I have now. I have grown very close to these guys and have begun writing new songs with them. We have also developed tightness in our music and that is difficult to come by with a touring band that is constantly changing members. I was not interested in changing guys around year after year anyway, having to retrain and get to know, so this change made the most logical choice. Most importantly we have become a band of brothers, likeminded in the mission of reaching lost souls for Christ.