CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – For this week’s episode of Clarksville’s Conversation, Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon sat down with Jason Roy, lead singer of the Grammy-nominated Christian band, Building 429.

The hard-hitting Christian rock band is fronted by Jason, who is Clarksville-based. Building 429’s goal is to give glory to God through music and lyrics.

The band’s name, which is based on a verse from the Bible (Ephesians 4:29), exemplifies this message:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Jason, his wife, and his two children have made Clarksville their home. Though he started the early part of his career in the Nashville area and on the road, Clarksville is now a special place for him.

“It was hard for me to figure out where I fit,” Jason said. “Over the years it [Clarksville] just became home to us.”

Jason discovered his true passion for music after a devastating basketball injury while he was in college. At that moment he felt God was leading him on a different path.

“The only thing I felt I could do that would be for other people and for the glory of God would be to write songs about God and Jesus,” Jason said.

He quit school and became his own booking agent as the band started to tour and build steam in the industry. “I thought that what we were doing actually mattered. Everybody thought I was crazy,” he joked.

But Jason wasn’t crazy and his dream blossomed into a reality. In 2005, Building 429 rose to the top of the charts with their first smash hit, “Glory Defined.” Since then, the band has racked up several hits, but the novelty never wears off for Jason.

“Every time we have one of those huge songs it’s super exciting,” he said.

“Glory Defined” got old for him eventually, but his favorite song to date is “Where I Belong.”

Jason may have found roots in Clarksville, but the band’s career is continuing to grow and Jason feels he has finally found his perfect fit and his calling, both in the studio and on stage.

He described where he feels the most grounded musically.

“No matter how many years go by, when I stand in the middle of the stage and a guy brings me my guitar…that place,” Jason said.

To learn more about Jason and his music, listen to the full Clarksville’s Conversation podcast below:

About Clarksville’s Conversation:
The Clarksville’s Conversation podcast, hosted by Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon on Clarksvillenow.com, gives you the opportunity to eavesdrop on interviews with leaders and innovators in Clarksville-Montgomery County who shape our community. Check back every Wednesday for new episodes.