Christian Singer Ryan Stevenson To Perform At Willow Bay Saturday
A well-regarded Christian singer-songwriter will make his Jamestown debut with a weekend concert in the downtown area.
Presented in concert by the Busti Church of God and REALiFE Jamestown, Ryan Stevenson will perform at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E. Third St., at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 8.
An artist performing under the Goatee Records label, which is owned by prominent Christian singer and promoter tobyMac, Stevenson has been playing worship music since he was 18 years old, after his youth pastor surprised him by giving him a guitar. From there, he began performing at summer camps, mission trips and youth groups. The singer also formed an acoustic duo with fellow singer Paul Wright, while attending Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon.
Following his discovery and subsequent signing by tobyMac, the latter praised the forthright and determined lyrical content of Stevenson’s original music.
“Ryan is an impressive songwriter who understands the delicate balance of writing songs about his faith and walking it out in a cold, cold world,” tobyMac said. “He never shies away from a ‘Jesus lyric,’ because he is fully aware of where his strength comes from.”
Stevenson’s latest album “Fresh Start” has continued to inspire and encourage people since its 2015 release, with songs like “Eye Of The Storm” and “All Yours,” while his 2013 album “Hold Nothing Back” features a song of hope in “The Human Side.” Inspiring Stevenson to write the hooks and melodies for the song are his own personal experiences, including defeats and struggles.
“Because we are all just people, none of us are immune to trial and tribulation,” he said. “We are going to face situations that bring to the surface the reality of our humanity. The amazing hope in this song is the blatant message of (God’s) amazing grace. Because Jesus is so good and merciful to me, it makes me want to obey him and bless his heart with my life.”
Doors will open at 6 p.m., with music to follow at 7 p.m. The REALiFE Worship band will open.
Tickets are $20, and $15 for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call 489-4657. Tickets can be purchased online from realifevents.com.eventbrite.com or from Busti Church of God or REALiFE Jamestown, which meets at Willow Bay Theater on Sundays.