The Greenville College Years

Many CCM majors dream of moving to Nashville and signing a record deal. Recent grad Sarah Jahn no longer needs that dream; she is in the process of signing with Warner Alliance, a Christian label owned by media giant Time Warner.

Jahn says she is "considered to be signed"—even though her contract will not be signed until after some minor details are worked out.

The signing process is not simple. "Lyrics have to go through a fine tooth comb," explains Jahn.

Nevertheless, Jahn's signing with Warner Alliance is pretty much a done deal. She has quit her part-time job, and the label is already promoting a Gospel Music Association Week concert by Jahn and some of the its other performers.

Many producers have expressed interest in producing Jahn's major label debut. Perhaps retiring professors Jim Wilson and Joann Noble could share their musical expertise.

Fans won't have to wait until Jahn's new album to hear new music. Jahn has recorded a song for a Petra tribute album that enters stores on June 1. She said her song is "supposed to be the first single off the album."

Jahn and her band will return to Greenville for Agape, and she will hit the summer festival circuit as well.

Sarah's band currently consists of former GC students (ex-Jar of Clay) Matt Bronleewe, Jeremy Bose, Miguel DeJesus, and Joe Porter. They have been opening concerts for Sixpence None the Richer.

Sarah Jahn won the 1995 GMA Spotlight Competition, and her song "Crucible" appeared on St. Louis radio station KPNT's Pointessential Volume 2, which sold out in a week. Warner Alliance's affiliation with Warner Brothers Records could lead to crossover success.

At the close of the conversation, Sarah requested, "Tell everybody I said hi, and I'll come see you soon." Oh, yeah. "Jeremy [Bose] says, ‘Hi.’"

Approximately 40 people attended the Dakoda Motor Co. concert on Monday, April 15. Perhaps more students would have attended if they had known that DC Talk's Michael Tait would be in the crowd. (Some single females fans were especially kicking themselves for missing.)

After the show, Tait chatted, posed for photos, and signed autographs. Chris Wagner reportedly brought him by my room to meet me, but I was upstairs, and—alas—I missed my brush with fame.