Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Husband, and Father, Jason Shepherd, also known as “J. Shep” is an artist who desires to expand the boundaries of the gospel industry and create a genre of “Gospel Pop” that reaches the average man. Often time artists use extreme case scenarios to deliver poignant messages of salvation, renewal, forgiveness, redemption, and hope. However, J. Shep aspires to reach not only those who are encountering extreme situations, but those everyday people who are dealing with the everyday trials, tests, insecurities and concerns of life. Born and raised in Homewood, IL, Shep always had an affinity for music. Growing up listening to artists like BeBe and CeCe Winnans, he always admired artists who held fast to a traditional gospel heritage, but were able to appeal to an audience outside of the “church world” and draw those who may not ordinarily listen to gospel music. In 2001 he graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in Music and founded the group “Jason Shepherd & Another Level”. In January of 2005 he released his first album with Another Level entitled Songs Vol. 1. To date sales have eclipsed 5,000. The single, “Sacrifice of Praise” received airplay on national and satellite radio stations and the album has received high praise from his peers in the Gospel industry. In 2007 he disbanded the group “Another Level” to pursue his solo career under the name “J. Shep”. He has had the opportunity to write for several prominent Gospel artists including: Smokey Norful, Shirley Caeser, Phil Tarver, Shekinah Glory Ministries, and Dexter Walker. He has toured Europe as a musician and choir director with The Brown Sisters as well as the Columbia College Universal Choir. He has also shared the stage with such gospel greats as: Percy Gray, Kurt Carr, The Caravans, Stellar award winner DeWayne Woods, Kim Burrell, Malcolm Williams, Edwin Hawkins, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Marvin Sapp. He recently released his first single “Runaway” from his forthcoming project entitled: “J. Shep Presents The Urban Notebook”. On this new project, J Shep had the honor of working with Grammy and Stellar award winning producer, singer, and songwriter PJ Morton on a song entitled “Our Children”. Shep describes his new single and sound as a reflection of where he is right now musically as well as spiritually. He says that he would like for his new sound to be considered as “Gospel Pop”. He states, “I want to take the Gospel into Pop Culture. There is a whole generation out there that is looking for a change, and crying out for help. I want this music to represent that generation that isn’t lost, but may need some help getting back on track.” The Urban Notebook is scheduled to be released late fall/winter of 2008. J. Shep currently resides on the South side of Chicago with his wife Stacie and their daughter Brooke Madison. He serves as the Minister of Music at St. Luke COGIC and is a teacher at the Choir Academy of Chicago Charter School.