NASHVILLE, TENN. (APRIL 26, 2019) Gotee Records announces the signing of worship pastor and songwriter Jon Reddick with the release of his debut single, “You Keep Hope Alive,” available today. Reddick co-wrote the song with Anthony Skinner and Jess Cates, and it was produced by Nathan Nockels. His debut single has a powerful message and story behind the song, which was written after his personal prayer reeling from the hurt of racism after the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia incident. Reddick wrote this song in his personal moment of hopelessness praying that it will bring hope to everyone who is going through their own season of hopelessness. Watch the Story Behind the Song for more details on this song.
Reddick had the opportunity to perform the song at the Worship Together Conference as well as the IF:Gathering, where its impact spread and Nashville songwriters and record labels came calling, eager to record it. The song also caught the attention of label executives at Gotee Records, who signed Reddick to a label and publishing deal.
“Jon Reddick has been my worship leader for over eight years now,” shares TobyMac about signing Reddick. “He’s not only a gifted singer who expresses soul and emotion as well as anyone I’ve ever heard, but also a songwriter who’s lyrics awaken my heart to hope through God’s love. I’m so grateful to play a small part in sharing this gift with the church, it is TRULY my honor. Oh, and believe me, I’m smiling like the guy who knows he’s giving the dopest gift under the tree for Christmas.”
Growing up the son of a pastor and the church pianist in Memphis, TN, and brother to six siblings including Janice, who went on to become a Stellar Award and GMA Dove Award nominated recording artist for Motown Gospel, music was woven into Reddick’s DNA from the start. During college, he cut his songwriting teeth writing songs for and leading a contemporary gospel group. After his college years, Reddick got into church work, leading worship for a church in Memphis and eventually making his way to Texas. Eventually, Reddick and his family made their way to Nashville, where God kept putting unlikely people in his path. He had the opportunity to work on songwriting with artists like Matt Redman, Tommy Sims, Josh Kerr and Sheryl Crow.
In addition to being a talented musician, Reddick is also a creative visual artist. In a fusion of his artistic and musical sides, one of his paintings ended up becoming the single cover for “You Keep Hope Alive.”
“I painted it as a response to Charlottesville. For me, art is a way for me to get my words out. It gives voice to what I’m feeling, allows me to say something in my own way. It’s okay to let people interpret it how they interpret it, because it’s something bigger. I just want to be a conduit to help people reconcile themselves with God and each other,” Reddick says. “I want to bring people together. I consider it an honor and a privilege to get to lead people in the transparency of worship.”
After years of leading worship, writing songs for the church and even touring and playing keys with Nashville artists Nicole C. Mullen and Mandisa, Reddick is now ready to pour all of his experience and passion into his songs. Reddick is also currently on staff at a local church in Franklin, TN as a worship pastor.
