Interview with Gerald Jones

Gerald Jones is the author of DaGospelTruth.com, a blog about all things related to the vibrant gospel music scene.

From exclusive interviews to news and random thoughts to where are they now features, he has gospel music covered.

Immersed in gospel music since childhood, this singer/songwriter may just be gospel music’s number one fan. However, he is not just a gospel music fanatic; he is also single and has graciously agreed to share his thoughts on singleness as a Christian single male.

So check out “da gospel truth” on singleness from this Christian single male’s perspective.

CSW:Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. I am a lover of Gospel music and your website. The wit and candor by which you share information on some of today’s biggest gospel artists is refreshing.

For those visitors who are not yet familiar with DaGospelTruth.com, please share a little bit more about yourself and your gospel blog.

GJ:I appreciate the support. It honestly means a lot to me. Well I live in Los Angeles, CA and I’ve been here for about 6 years now. I moved here to get into the music business, but I fell into the world of TV production and moved up the ranks rather quickly. And that’s what I’ve been doing for 6 years now. I learned a lot working behind the scenes in TV, but was never really happy with what I was doing. Honestly I was doing it for the money.

Just recently, I finally made the decision to step out on faith and pursue my dream of making a name for myself in the Gospel industry. And one of my dreams, which I’m finally seeing come to fruition is my new Gospel blog, DAGOSPELTRUTH.COM.

I’m a PK (preacher’s kid) and music is in my blood. I grew up listening to everyone; Tramaine, The Hawkins, The Winans, Rance Allen, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Andrae Crouch, Commissioned, Sandi Patty, Larnelle Harris and on and on. I have my mother to thank for that. And from that time on I literally became fascinated with Gospel music! From there I just found an appreciation and love for all types of music as I grew up.

CSW: As a gospel music lover and songwriter, what record or artist has influenced you most and why?

GJ: As just a lover of Gospel music, growing up Tramaine Hawkins was my favorite. I used to eat, breathe and sleep Tramaine. I remember when I was little I used to lie on the floor in front of the record player and spread all of Tramaine’s albums out and just stare at the covers. She was so beautiful to me and she had raw soul! Tramaine is incredible and I still respect and love her today. She was a trailblazer and is a Gospel legend!

As a songwriter I’ve been influenced by so many not just in Gospel music but just music in general. So of course Richard Smallwood, Walter Hawkins, Babyface, Mariah Carey, Diane Warren, David Foster, Donald Lawrence, Bebe Winans, my cousin Deah Harriott and the list just goes on.

Those people are some AMAZING songwriters. I respect writers who write songs that you will listen to 20 years from now. I could write a song with some generic lyrics in 15 minutes flat. But to write a timeless classic takes talent and depth. And that’s what really inspires me to write good songs.

CSW: You’ve been working in the entertainment industry for a few years now. How do you maintain your faith and keep yourself from falling into the trappings of Hollywood?

GJ: It’s hard! IT’S REALLY REALLY HARD! And to be honest I can’t say I was always successful at being a positive witness for Christ. I definitely had moments where I knew my attitude and my actions were not in line with the values and morals that my parents raised me with. That’s one of the reasons why I left that side of the business.

I worked as a producer for daytime talk shows and courts shows and I can only speak for myself, but that sector of television breeds nothing but negativity, greed and degradation. Everything I didn’t need in my life! If you want to know the true definition of overworked and underpaid, go work in TV! (lol) The world of “Hollywood” is very EASY to get sucked into. Living in LA can play tricks with your mind so easily that you can become unrecognizable even to yourself within a matter of months.

But, I am so blessed because I have a very supportive family that is constantly praying for me and always checking up on me. So to answer your question, I don’t know how well I did in maintaining my faith, but it definitely kept me prayed up and I thank God everyday for allowing me to survive those years in TV. It was a very hard time for me. Looking back on it now, I know God had me go through all of that to be where I am now and to have a renewed sense of who I am in my relationship with Him.

CSW: What insights can you share with my visitors about what Christian single men are looking for in a Christian single woman?

GJ: Well I can tell you what I’m looking for. I’m looking for someone that I can grow with and that is not so “holier than thou” that she can’t admit she makes mistakes or is so uptight she doesn’t know how to have fun. I want someone that can cook too. And if she shares my love of music and can sing that is just icing on the cake! I want someone like my mom and my sister! They are great examples of Christian women!

CSW: So often it seems that many Christian single women grow tired of being single and begin searching for Mr. Right as opposed to being sought, how is this typically perceived by Christian single men?

GJ: Hmm that’s a hard question. I believe if you are constantly on the prowl (lol) or always looking you’re bound to find something or someone. But is that really the person that God has for you?? I firmly believe just like we pray for jobs, our bills and everything else, we can pray for God to bring the right person into our life. It’s the waiting part that we don’t like! THE FLESH IS WEAK LOL!! And sometimes when women are always searching it comes off as a little desperate! RED FLAG!!

CSW: Many of my visitors tell me they are tired of being alone and it becomes increasingly difficult as more and more of their friends are getting married. Can you please elaborate on whether or not Christian single men feel any pressure to get married?

GJ: I get pressure from my Dad lol! He said he wants some more grandkids! But I have a few good friends that are married and very much in love and sometimes I get a little envious. But I also know that I am not ready. Getting married is a HUGE responsibility and I want to be prepared for everything that comes along with it. But I have great examples of stable long lasting relationships; my grandparents were married for 67 years, my parents have been married over 39 years and my sister and her husband have been married for 8 years. I want my marriage to be just as successful as what I’ve grown up seeing.

CSW: Being a gospel music aficionado, singer and songwriter, what lyrics would you pen to encourage all the Christian single women out there?

GJ: It’s funny that you ask that because my cousin and I wrote a song that we recorded for my first demo almost 10 years ago called “You Haven’t Been Loved” and I’ll just share with you the first verse and the chorus. It’s a duet so this was my cousin’s part.

Verse 1:
He was the love of her life
Hitting her time after time saying please baby don’t cry
It was love at her first sight
She keeps saying it will be OK he’ll be fine he’s just having another bad day
As time goes by the abuse is getting greater
She says I know he loves me I can help him get better
In time he’ll see something’s gone wrong
Until then I’ll keep holding

Chorus:
If anyone tells you with loves there’s pain
If anyone tells you there’s storm and rain
You haven’t been loved by Jesus
If anyone tells you love makes you cry
There’s always goodbye with no reasons why
You haven’t been loved by Jesus

Wow, those are powerful lyrics! My sincere thanks to Gerald for his genuine and honest feedback. Be on the lookout for more from him on the gospel music scene in the future.