Jimmy Needham (born August 22, 1985) is an American
contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and ...
ian signed to
Inpop Records. He released debut album, ''For Freedom'', an independent release, in 2005, and after signing with the Christian record label
Inpop in 2006, a series of albums: ''
Speak'' (2006), ''
Not Without Love'' (2008), ''
Nightlights'' (2010), ''
Clear the Stage'' (2012), and ''
Vice & Virtue
''Vice & Virtue'' is the fifth studio album by Jimmy Needham. Platinum Pop released the album on May 4, 2015.
Critical reception
Andy Argyrakis, awarding the album four stars for ''CCM Magazine'', writes, "Armed with an ultra-smooth voice and so ...
'' (2015).
Background
He is a graduate of
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. As of late 2021, T ...
, where he studied history and
philosophy, and also a graduate of
Tomball High School.
Needham's first album, ''For Freedom'', was
independently released in 2005, with the help of Troy Warren Jr.
He signed with the Christian record label
Inpop in 2006, and released his major label debut album, ''
Speak'', later that year. In late 2007, Needham toured with
NewSong
NewSong is an American contemporary Christian music group that was founded in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia. They have had twelve GMA Dove Award nominations, and one 45th Annual Grammy Awards, Grammy Award Nomination ...
,
Echoing Angels
Echoing Angels is a Christian rock group from Atlanta, Georgia.
History
The band was initially formed by bassist Josh Armour and drummer Jon Poole under the name ''Two Bare Feet'' in 1999. Echoing Angelsat Allmusic.com They spent several years w ...
and
Nate Sallie.
His second major album, ''
Not Without Love'', was released on August 19, 2008.
[ ] He was also a guest on the ''Relentless'' tour with
Natalie Grant.
On May 18, 2010, Needham released ''
Nightlights'', on Inpop records.
''
Clear the Stage'', released on March 27, 2012 reached No. 128 on
''Billboard'' 200 chart on the week of April 14, 2012, and to No. 9 on the
Top Christian Albums
Top Christian Albums is a weekly chart published in ''Billboard'' magazine that ranks the best-performing Christian albums in the United States. Like the ''Billboard'' 200, the data is compiled by Nielsen Soundscan based on each album's weekly ...
chart. It briefly appeared at No. 59 on
Sverigetopplistan on July 6, 2012. The title song, "Clear the Stage", is a contemporary Christian song written by
Ross King.
On September 10, 2013, Jimmy Needham released the ten-track, ''
The Hymns Sessions, Vol. 1'', containing eight contemporary interpretations of traditional hymns, like "Christos anesti", "
How Great Thou Art" featuring
Trip Lee
William Lee Barefield III (born December 17, 1987), better known by his stage name Trip Lee, is an American Christian rapper and singer. Signed to Reach Records, he has recorded both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. ...
and "
Holy Holy Holy" featuring
Shane & Shane, and two originals: "The Gospel" and "It Is Finished". The follow-up album, ''Vice & Virtue'', his sixth, was released on May 5, 2015.
Personal life

He is married to his wife Kelly, for whom he has written two songs that appeared on ''
Not Without Love''. They are "Firefly", a lighthearted, "ragtime style" song about marriage, and "Unfailing Love (Kelly's Song)", a ballad that Needham sang at his wedding, originally written as a proposal to Kelly.
Discography
Albums
Singles
(charting)
* "Dearly Loved"
(ranked No. 11 on the "Top Contemporary Hit Songs" list by ''Christian Radio & Retail Weekly'', April 27, 2007)
* "Fence Riders"
(ranked No. 14 on '' R&R''s magazine's December 15, 2007 chart)December 15, 2007
'' R&R''s magazine's chart as reported at the Weekend 22. Retrieved December 29, 2007
* "A Breath or Two"
(No. 8 on the Christian AC Soundscan and Overall Christian Digital charts. Also reached No. 13 on '' R&R''s Christian CHR radio chart)
Guest appearances
* 2010: "Yours to Own" (
Trip Lee
William Lee Barefield III (born December 17, 1987), better known by his stage name Trip Lee, is an American Christian rapper and singer. Signed to Reach Records, he has recorded both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. ...
)
* 2012: "Take Me There" (Trip Lee)
Compilation appearances
* 2007: ''iPop 2008'', "Lost at Sea" (
Inpop)
* 2009: ''
WOW Hits 2010
''WOW Hits 2010'' is a two-disc compilation album composed of some of the biggest hits on Christian radio in 2009. Disc one features more adult contemporary hits, while disc two features the CHR–pop and rock hits. The album charted at number on ...
'', "Forgiven and Loved" (Inpop)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Needham, Jimmy
Living people
American performers of Christian music
Performers of contemporary Christian music
Inpop Records artists
Texas A&M University alumni
1985 births
People from Tomball, Texas