Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to spend some personal time with Jason Crabb, a celebrated figure in Christian music, during his performance in Kinston, NC. What struck me most about Jason was his authenticity. There’s no pretense, no facade – the Jason Crabb you meet is the real deal. He speaks directly from his heart, sharing his genuine truth. It felt like talking to a friend, someone you could connect with on a deeper level. I left that Friday night profoundly moved, grateful for Jason’s willingness to openly discuss life, faith, music, and the driving forces behind his passion.
The Formative Years: Faith and Family Roots of a Crabb
Could you share your journey of faith with us?
My faith journey began in childhood. Growing up as a pastor’s kid (PK), church was central to our lives. My father pastored several Church of God congregations, and those early years were deeply formative. However, our path took some unexpected turns. My dad stepped away from pastoring, and life took a challenging downturn. My parents separated and eventually divorced. Later, my father remarried to Cathy Crabb, who many recognize as the matriarch of the Crabb Family. Cathy had two daughters, and with one daughter’s love for singing and the other’s less so, the seeds of the Crabb Family were sown. It was truly a blended family that created something extraordinary. My mother, an amazing woman, still resides in our hometown. Of course, my father’s songwriting became integral to the group’s identity. Our 14 years of touring together as the Crabb Family were an incredible chapter. After that, I embarked on my solo career and have been touring for 16 years independently. This marks my 31st year on the road, with around 170 dates annually.
Navigating Faith and Integrity in the Music Industry
In today’s evolving climate and industry, how do you maintain your beliefs and integrity while aiming to expand your audience?
That’s a question with many layers. It really boils down to self-trust and discernment. In navigating opportunities, I often ask myself, “Do I trust myself in this space?” It’s less about external validation and more about internal alignment. Artists sometimes get caught up in how others perceive them on stage, but the crucial question is, “Do you trust yourself in this environment?” If you do, and if you are striving to follow Jesus’ example – remembering He was perfect, yet He associated with those on the margins – then you can move forward with confidence. He sat with tax collectors and those society deemed “unclean,” prompting judgment from onlookers. But who are we to judge? Those judging often reveal more about themselves than those they criticize. Ultimately, you need to discern if a door is divinely opened. If it is, and you trust your own integrity and your faith in that space, then it’s likely a path meant for you. God won’t place you where He doesn’t trust you, and where you can’t trust yourself to remain true to your values.
New Musical Horizons: “Good Morning Mercy” and “Do It For You”
You have a new song with Dylan Scott, “Good Morning Mercy.” Tell us about this collaboration.
Dylan is fantastic. I was thrilled to see him nominated for an ACM Award recently – truly well-deserved. I admire how he integrates his family into his music. Authentic country music, to me, is like a rich patchwork quilt. It weaves together elements of family, children, hometown, farm, grandparents – all the pieces that form a life story. It encompasses family, faith, friends, country, veterans, personal experiences – all these threads create a beautiful and genuine tapestry. Then there’s a more commercialized side of country music, often driven by sponsors. It can feel more angled, focusing on hitting certain industry marks rather than purely expressing lived experience. But artists like Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers exemplify authentic country – you know they are singing from their core. Dylan Scott is in that same vein. He’s refreshing and exactly what the genre needs. It’s a privilege to collaborate with someone like him. “Good Morning Mercy” is a song born from a shared passion; the message resonates deeply with both of us.
You also have another song out, “Do It For You.” What’s the story behind this track?
“Do It For You” has a fascinating story. We were initially working towards our next single, feeling confident we had it. The label suggested we write a few more songs just to be certain. So, my publicist organized a writers’ camp, bringing together writers from different publishing houses – about 12 of us in one place in Nashville. We broke into different writing rooms. My plan was to spend 30 minutes in each room to get a feel for the songwriting direction. I was in a room with Jay, and we were developing a great song. Then, Phil, another writer I deeply admire, came in less than an hour into the session and said, “We’ve finished a song, come listen and tell us what you think.” I hadn’t even had a chance to work with him yet! I went in, listened, and immediately knew, “I don’t know how we’ll top this.” It was undeniably the right song, the single. It just felt right. And it was. So many people are facing discouragement, struggling to see beyond their current difficulties. We are emotional beings, often making decisions based on immediate feelings and circumstances. Without a glimpse of hope, situations can feel overwhelming. “Do It For You” is about that message of hope. It’s like someone coming alongside you in that dark place and saying, “I’ve been where you are. I understand what you’re going through, but I also know a God who makes a way. If you need a highway through the sea, He can do it. If you need a mountain moved, He’s the one to move it. He is the God of miracles. If He did it for me, He can do it for you.”
Unexpected Rhythms: Finding God in Silence and Country Music
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
This might sound unusual coming from a musician, but when I’m driving, I rarely listen to music. I cherish silence. When I do turn on music, it’s often old country. I know it’s funny. I tried explaining this on a TV talk show recently, which hasn’t aired yet, and I might get some funny looks for it! We were discussing worship and personal time with God. I said, “You’re going to think I’m crazy, and I might get letters for this, but something happens when I listen to old, familiar country music.” It transports me to a place of family and gratitude. Not every country song, of course, but certain ones evoke that feeling of thankfulness: “God, thank you for my upbringing, for this wonderful life, for my family.” Isn’t that strange? Remember Michael Bolton’s song, “When I’m Back on My Feet Again?” That was a powerful, introspective song. Certain songs make you reflect deeply.
Redemption and Grace: Songs That Tell a Story of Faith
God uniquely redeems our past. Which of your songs demonstrates His redemptive work in your life?
That’s a profound question. A song that comes to mind is “I Will Love You,” which I recorded some time ago. The lyrics include:
Angels see you face to face
If I could I’d take their place
And pour out my heart to you
But what they don’t understand
Is to know your grace firsthand
How it feels to love like I do.
Yes you bring me to my knees with your kindness
Theres nothing that I can hold back
What resonates deeply with me in that song is the understanding that angels, though created with choice and devoted to God, haven’t experienced grace in the human sense. They haven’t journeyed through self-inflicted struggles and failures, only to be met with God’s redeeming love. Only humans can truly grasp and worship in the full understanding of grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. That song profoundly impacts me. Another song, written by my father, called “Shepherd’s Call,” is an old tune, but one of his best. It says, “There on that ledge one step would have ended it all. But I felt the hand, and I heard the Shepherd’s call.” It’s a song of pure truth. It speaks to those moments where we might have been on the brink, and divine intervention pulled us back. Please don’t judge me on this next statement, but hear my heart: When Jesus told the disciples to “leave the ships and leave the nets,” and when one asked to first say goodbye to his family, Jesus responded, “No, let’s leave that too, it’s time to go.” One of the hardest aspects of this life is the moments I miss with my family. My youngest daughter will soon go to prom, all dressed up, and I’ll be on the road. Ball games, milestones – moments I’ve missed. The road takes so much of me, and sometimes I feel my family gets what’s left over. That’s not to say I give them leftovers emotionally – when I’m home, I try to give them my all, because they are my everything. But balancing life and ministry on the road is incredibly challenging. That’s the hardest part.
Do you have a new album on the horizon?
Yes, I have a new EP coming out that I’m very excited about, filled with some great songs. One track, likely to be the next single, is called “Hallelujah Story.” People are already loving it. The song speaks for itself. It’s coming soon, so keep an eye on my social media for the official announcement.
To stay connected with Jason Crabb, visit his website at www.jasoncrabb.com and follow him on social media @jasoncrabbmusic. Download and stream his music, and consider purchasing merchandise to support Christian artists directly. Unlike mainstream artists backed by major corporations, Christian artists rely on the support of their listeners.
