Jon Robert Gibson (born January 3, 1962)[12] is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumental musician, and record producer.
[13] Gibson scored a number of hit singles, including "Jesus Loves Ya" (which spent a then-record 11 weeks at No.
He has also performed with Carman and for Prince, collaborating with Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, Maroon 5 and Matthew McConaughey.
After several encounters with the law, and time spent in juvenile hall, Gibson joined the United States Army at the age of 18.
He was given an honorable medical discharge eleven months later, due to an allergic reaction from military vaccines, after serving in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.
[12] Upon returning home to pursue a music career, and with a natural ability to write songs, Gibson performed in California nightclubs with his band in the early 1980s.
[27] In 1982, at the age of 20, Gibson signed with Dick Griffey's Constellation Records (SOLAR) as a rhythm and blues artist.
[28] His debut came as a guest vocalist and songwriter on several songs for Bill Wolfer (the keyboardist for the Jacksons),[29] on his Wolf album, via the Constellation label.
Gibson wrote and produced "The Wall" as well, the first rap hit in CCM history by a blue-eyed soul singer and/or duo, featuring MC Hammer (a song that Stanley Kirk Burrell – or K.B.
[46] Gibson was in a gospel rap group with Hammer known as the Holy Ghost Boy(s),[47] with songs later produced and released on their respective albums.
[50] The album included Gibson's cover version of "Yah Mo B There" (co-written by Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones), a song originally performed by James Ingram and Michael McDonald.
23 on July 29, 1989 (charting for 25 weeks)[54] Wonder's soundtrack album, Jungle Fever (1991), had Gibson singing backup on the track "I Go Sailing" (as well as touring together).
[55] Gibson's fifth album, Jesus Loves Ya (1990), featured multiple musicians including Rob Watson and Doug Webb.
[13] In 1991, "Jesus Loves Ya" was a top selling CCM single,[57] spending a record eleven weeks at No.
[66] Gibson later signed with Ojo Taylor and Gene Eugene of Brainstorm Artists International (BAI).
[68] It was released on his independent record label by Soul Scan Music, and mixed by engineer Dennis Moody.
"Gibson's a white guy who sounds like Stevie Wonder, a sweet balladeer who pioneered Christian rap, and a singer who reeks attitude in his mission of justice and ministry.
[85] In 2005, Prince hired Gibson's band for his Golden Globe Awards house party, collaborating with Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, Maroon 5 and Matthew McConaughey.
[12] Gibson was a frequent guest on Trinity Broadcasting Network, and helped launch their studio in Milan, Italy.
[93] Note: Double albums Change of Heart/Body & Soul and Jesus Loves Ya/Forever Friends were released by KMG Records in 2003.