Jimmy Needham
Appearing on Unity Main Stage Presented by Country Dairy – Past Unity Artist
Texas-based Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham crafts soulful, socially conscious, faith-based pop songs with hints of blues and roots rock thrown in for good measure. Influenced by everyone from Keith Green to Jason Mraz, Needham released his first album, For Freedom, independently in 2005. He signed with Franklin, Tennessee-based independent contemporary Christian record label, Inpop, in 2006 and released the highly regarded Speak, followed by Not Without Love in 2008. Nightlights appeared in 2012, with the Ed Cash-produced Clear the Stage arriving in 2012 and The Hymn Sessions, Vol. 1 a year later in 2013.
As he commenced writing for his latest album, Vice & Virtue, Jimmy found himself in the midst of an unnerving internal crisis — an overwhelming sense that he just wasn’t measuring up spiritually. This feeling led to much study and reflection that ended up influencing the overarching lyrical theme of the album:
Do I sin in my most pleasant moments? Do I rely on my nice behavior to gain favor with God? Is it possible that my reliance on my righteousness is the opposite of what Christ wants from me?
My ‘nicety’ gave me a sense of worth and value, but that’s really the opposite of the gospel. We bring nothing to the table except sin and brokenness. Through all of my religious efforts, I was actually fleeing from the cross.
In addition to playing on the Unity Mainstage, Jimmy is the festival MC, bringing fun and energy to the festival.
Jimmy and his wife Kelly currently reside in Dallas, TX with their two daughters Lively and Sophia, and one adopted son, Benjamin
