Jeremy Camp seems to be everywhere these days. He's been on the singles charts, on tour with the Newsboys and Rebecca St. James, headlining his own tour—and, most recently, being named Best Male Artist in Christian Music Today's annual Readers' Choice Awards. His new album, Restored (BEC), was inspired by Camp's own personal journey—losing his first wife Melissa to cancer, going through a time of mourning, and falling in love again, marrying Adrienne (formerly of The Benjamin Gate), with whom he recently had his first child. Christian Music Today recently caught up with Camp to talk about his new CD and his incredible journey.

You released a DVD a few months ago with some concert footage and some behind the scenes stuff. What's that all about?

Jeremy Camp: We've been experiencing so much that it felt like we should do some sort of documentation. We wanted to cover all the bases, to get a little bit of bio info and interviews about my life and then get a complete picture of how we travel. Musically, we wanted to showcase the best of the best from my first two albums, and show them in the live setting and throw in a few music videos.

A lot of music DVDs are strictly live concerts or take on a documentary feel. Why was such a comprehensive package so important to you?

Camp: Fans deserve a complete picture where they can see every part of my life and what it is that I do, not just one part. I wanted people to know who they were supporting and hopefully get a glimpse that we seek to live the life. We've seriously given them complete, very candid access, which is a good thing because in a way it makes me stay accountable to those who listen to my music.

So, what will they learn from watching it?

Camp: It shows a lot of the growth I've had since I was first introduced to Christian music. A lot of people have heard my testimony about Melissa, and although they're able to see pictures of her and hear me talk about her, they can also see how I've come to peace knowing she's with the Lord. Having Adrienne now has been an amazing blessing that has provided so much support, so I think the unraveling of those details will give those that watch it an idea of what to expect on Restored.

How has your relationship with Adrienne, from meeting her on Festival Con Dios to your marriage, been a part of your restoration process?

Camp: When I look at where God has brought me, I'm just amazed at how Adrienne has given me such perspective. The fact that she's been there in dealing with the death of Melissa to her support of me creatively just goes to show how faithful God can be in your life. I'm just so attracted to her sensitivity and her brokenness. When she falls short of the glory of God, she offers more than just "Lord forgive me, I'm sorry I'm a sinner." She says "Lord, I'm sorry I hurt your heart," which still blows me away and is a major factor in my healing process.

What types of creative collaborations did you have with her throughout these sessions?

Camp: She appears on a lot of the backing vocals, first of all because she sounds amazing, but also because I want her to be in everything that I do since we're a team. I also bounced a lot of ideas off her and she'd listen, process and then say, "Try this." She knows how I work—I stare and think and pray—and then she'll throw in an idea that's really neat.

How is your relationship with Adrienne represented on the record?

Camp: There's a song called "Be the One" where it says, "You'll be the one to call me out," which basically stands for the accountability we have and her directional encouragement to help line me up with God's direction. There's a chorus called "Innocence" where I fall down before God and use her example of truly repenting for hurting God's heart. "Restored" talks about what God is doing in my life and how what the locusts have taken away, God has given back through her.

"My Desire," from the new CD, is connecting with people like "Walk By Faith" or "I Still Believe" connected. What's the story behind "My Desire"?

Camp: Despite all the things that have happened since Stay and all the emotional stuff I've gone through, my desire is still to be used by God, period. It's a straight-out cry to be on that path with my life at all times.

Tell me about the sonic growth on the new record, particularly what producer Aaron Sprinkle added to the fold.

Camp: Working with Aaron has led me to use different chords and use my voice in a way that I would have never used before. He's helped me take elements of what people are already familiar with—the big arena rockers and the mighty ballads—but to also make everything more epic and not to repeat itself. I really want people to know that this record is coming straight from me and not from me listening to a bunch of records and cutting and pasting ideas. It's not like I did that before, but a lot of times people used to ask me who I sounded like and I'd just use the comparisons I heard other people say—maybe a little bit of Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews or Lifehouse. Some people said I sounded like Creed, but that was and is not at all an influence.

With all that's been going on, how have you kept your batteries charged?

Camp: I'm making sure to set aside the time that's needed to get away. We pray over each other at the beginning of each day. During the day, even during the hectic times, reading a couple of Scriptures and saying a prayer give me that energy boost. Sometimes I'll just sit to become aware of God's presence and wait for him to speak. Even though there's a lot going on, I make a point to be still and know that he is God.

For more about Jeremy Camp, don't forget to visit our artist page for him. In addition to his biography and past interviews, you'll find our reviews of his albums, including Restored. To listen to and buy Camp's music, visit Christianbook.com.

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