– credit www.listeniowa.com
Lead singer and guitarist Jason Roy of Building 429 was on the beach in sunny Florida soaking up some sunshine when he got the call for this interview (with Darren Tromblay, publisher of ListenIowa) from a couple of thousand miles away in what was then an artic tundra called Iowa.
When told it was below zero in the heartland, Roy chuckled and said he was thankful to be right where he was at that very moment, thank you very much.
“Yeah, I’m sure glad to be right here when I hear that,” he laughed. “Oh, man.”
Roy, who co-founded the group in 1999 with then-bassist Scotty Beshears, is now teamed with drummer Michael Anderson, guitarist/keyboardist Jesse Garcia, and bassist Aaron Branch. The foursome has captured a Grammy Award nomination, Christian Song of the Year honors (2012 and 2013), and numerous other honors during its drive in becoming a legitimate force in the Christian music scene. Being a part of the massive success that is the 2018 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, then, is a no-brainer for the group, now 17 years and nine albums into their own version of a dream come true.
“It’s one of those things where we’ve become friends and family with them (Winter Jam),” Roy said during the brief phone interview. “Every now and then they’ll give us a call and ask us what we think, and we’re always game for it. It’s an honor to be a part of it. On this go-round, we’re friends with everyone, so that makes for a great backstage feel that’s going to flow right out onto the stage.”
Christian music fans in central Iowa will get a first-hand look this Friday night when the tour rolls north and into Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, bringing the usual crowd-pleasing mix of pop, rock, rap and worship, led by Building 429, platinum-selling rockers Skillet, 3-time Dove Award winner Kari Jobe, comedian John Crist, rapper KB, tour founders NewSong, and Jordan Feliz and Nick Hall.
READ THE REMAINDER OF THIS INTERVIEW BY CLICKING HERE!
Presented by Holt International, Winter Jam’s 46-city Eastern U.S. tour features GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum selling and Billboard Music Award-winning rockers Skillet, GRAMMY®-nominated recording artist and internationally-renowned worship leader Kari Jobe (featuring Cody Carnes); GRAMMY®-nominated pop hitmakers Building 429; popular comedian and viral sensation John Crist; critically-acclaimed breakout hip-hop recording artist KB; GRAMMY®-nominated tour creators and hosts, NewSong; Dove Award-winning chart-topper Jordan Feliz; and a message from author, speaker and evangelist Nick Hall. In addition, the Pre-Jam Party will feature award-winning worship artist Dan Bremnes and lauded Curb Records singer/songwriter Mallary Hope, along with new Baby Syndrome Records artist Westover.
Winter Jam is Christian music’s largest tour in attendance each year. There are no tickets required; only a $15 donation at the door. For all the dates and details go to www.jamtour.com
