:: navigation
» main artist page
» music
» widgets and banners
» comments
» fans and user stations » contact this artist
» add to 'favorite artists'
» music
» widgets and banners
» comments
» fans and user stations » contact this artist
» add to 'favorite artists'
:: artist infos
» member profile:
jackhelser
» genre:
Pop >
Contemporary Christian
» location:
Jack Helser
» label: unsigned
» for fans of: Kieth Green, Don Francisco, Wierd Al Yankovic, Bruce Carroll, Dallas Holm, Amy Grant
» latest album:
"Resurrection Power"
10 tracks
running time 50
$0.00
10 tracks
running time 50
$0.00
Advertisement
Jack Helser
Advertisement
» go to the music page for more
I'm an old Jesus freak who writes songs based on reality and what I discern spiritually. Can't say I've ever cared for the type of song that sings 5-6 words over and over and over for 3:15 and then fades. For me, songs have to say something meaningful or make a statement.
These songs, in order, chronicle my journey to Jesus, from childhood and the admonishments that I should go to Sunday school, through disillusionment with religion and finding Jesus when everything I held dear was taken from me. The songs continue with lamenting the state of the religious institution that calls itself the "church", struggling with my cross and finally pouring myself out to the Lord on behalf of the lost, this world - for renewal - for an outpouring of His Spirit - for rain.
If you wonder where I'm at on the path to the Lord's kingdom, it is best expressed in the last song on this page, Resurrection Power. I think it's the best song I've ever written, though I am also very fond of Lord You Are, Pharisee Like Me and Echoing the Cross. Oh heck, I like 'em all, the 4 I mentioned are just the ones that really communicate my heart.
These songs, in order, chronicle my journey to Jesus, from childhood and the admonishments that I should go to Sunday school, through disillusionment with religion and finding Jesus when everything I held dear was taken from me. The songs continue with lamenting the state of the religious institution that calls itself the "church", struggling with my cross and finally pouring myself out to the Lord on behalf of the lost, this world - for renewal - for an outpouring of His Spirit - for rain.
If you wonder where I'm at on the path to the Lord's kingdom, it is best expressed in the last song on this page, Resurrection Power. I think it's the best song I've ever written, though I am also very fond of Lord You Are, Pharisee Like Me and Echoing the Cross. Oh heck, I like 'em all, the 4 I mentioned are just the ones that really communicate my heart.
Why this name?
I didn't chose it - I'm named after my dad. If I could have chosen my own name, it would be somepin' like Vic Ferrerri. Sounds cool, huh? Though Elmer Fudd would probably be more fitting. Whatever. The only name that really matters, is the name the Father gives us IN Christ Jesus.
Do you play live?
I used to, but not any more. Packing gear in and out of churches ain't as easy as it used to be. Also, writing songs about the sad state of the institutional church doesn't exactly endear me to churchy folk.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Makes distribution and recording so much easier. On the Resurrection Power CD, I had 5 internet friends whom I've never met in person, contribute parts through WAV files uploaded via FTP server. Totally cool technology!
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Not only no, but ... and the reason for that is, the Father has instructed me to give my MP3's and CD's away, i.e., FREE. He did say, after all, "Freely you have received, freely give". So if I signed a contract, or licensed my songs to another artist, there'd be someone trying to profit from them. As steward of the songs and with the Lord's mandate, I have to ensure my music remains free, and that means no entanglements with the industry. And that's gotta seem strange to some folks, as I've been told by a few people in the music industry that "Lord, You Are" is one of the nicest worship songs there is and "Resurrection Power" is one of the most powerful and prophetic songs today. That is not to boast, just typical of our Father - people pay for religion - but Jesus who is THE BEST, is free. So why not the music that comes from the heart of God?
Band History:
I started out playing for my local church in the late 60's. In the 70's I played guitar in a group of 40 high school kids called "God's Creation Company" out of Calvary Lutheran Church in Federal Way, Washington. Man what memories and good friends. In the 80's my brother and I did concerts in a duet we called "The Singers David" and later "The Helser Brothers". From the mid-80's to mid-90's, I raised my kids and returned to music solo-style around 1998. The Lord You Are CD was recorded in 2001 and the Resurrection Power CD in 2006. There's also an internet rock band I'm part of at VJam Band.
Your influences?
Kieth Green, Don Francisco, Bruce Carroll, Weird Al Yankovic. I also love Amy Grant - that girl has beautiful songs and a heart of gold.
Favorite spot?
Oh, driving westbound on any country road in the rural midwest, on a summer evening, watching that red fireball disappear into the horizon, while splattering fireflies all over the windshield at 60 MPH ... what a light show that is!
Equipment used:
Started with a Roland VS-840 (Lord, You Are CD) then moved up to a P4-2.66ghz PC with an M-Audio Delta 66 card with Omnistudio front end running Adobe Audition 1.5 for the Resurrection Power CD. I still use the Roland VS-840 (upgraded to EX and refitted with a Compact Flash drive for silent operation) for vocals and mic'd AG passages. Outboard equipment: a trio of Bellari MP-105 mic pre's with the Black Lion Audio modification and good NOS 12AX7/ECC83 tubes, Presonus Blue Tube, Alesis NanoComp, Zoom RT-123, Johnson J-Station, Alesis NanoBass, Roland MU-50, Yamaha MG10/2, Korg Toneworks G2, MXL 603's, MXL V67G, and a host of decent VST plugins used via Audition. Lastly, I love the Har-Bal program for mastering equalization.
Anything else...?
I like a good pale ale and I appreciate a good mild cigar on occasion (thanks, Phil). Hunan-style chinese stirfry is my fave food - love Mongolian Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Hot and Sour soup, mmmm ... also Thai food, esp. Phad Thai. I'm also crazy about my wife and thankful that religion and legalism are behind me. Walking with Jesus is enough for me - I don't need the busyness of institutional churchianity.