Popular songwriter, producer and recording artist Freddy Washington, who has earned Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award nominations with the likes of hip hop luminary Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Gospel Dream winner Melinda Watts, has spent the past few weeks touring and appearing at events in preparation for the October 2 release of his debut, double-disc project, The Jesus Record, which will be released October 2.

Washington's activities have included sharing the stage with award-winning gospel singer Martha Munizzi, performing for attendees at the No Limits Empowerment Conference at New Life Tabernacle in New York City, participating at several Christian music workshops, and taping a segment for I'm Just Sayin', the Emmy-nominated late-night Christian talk show airing on Chicago's TCT Television Network.

"The past few weeks have been pretty hectic but I can't say I've ever been this busy having this much fun, meeting so many great people, night after night, in concerts and worship conferences," Washington says. "The process of making The Jesus Record was quite an incredible experience, but now that I'm on the other side of the record making process, I've had the privilege of singing the songs live, sharing the message that inspired the music and doing radio interviews with the wonderful people who serve on the airwaves. It's been really incredible. I'm so grateful and I'm excited to see what lies ahead."

The in-demand producer and songwriter, who previously has been behind the scenes with his expertise, has taken his talent on the road as he prepares for the independent release of The Jesus Record

Skirting the edges of Gospel, Hip Hop and R&B and pop, with hints of Washington's early influences Phil Collins, Andrae Crouch, Michael W. Smith and Kirk Franklin, the songs on The Jesus Record feel right at home on both contemporary Christian and Gospel radio formats. While the music will move your feet, Washington's rich, compelling vocals will lift your spirit.

Although both of Washington's parents were heavily involved in the music ministry - his father, who guests on the CD, is the famous Gospel pianist Freddy Washington, Sr. - the younger Washington says he felt no compulsion to get involved with either music or the ministry.

Lyrically, The Jesus Record underscores Washington's desire for leading believers in worship. Every song on the project is designed to point listeners back to the Gospel.

"It's about the perfect love, peace and hope that is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Washington says of his unwaveringly intentional approach. "It's the greatest story of redemption and salvation that the world will ever know."

With his Gospel music pedigree and production experience in both the Hip Hop and Gospel genres, one might have a preconceived notion about what a Freddy Washington solo project will sound like. Any preconceived notion would likely be wrong.

"I begged my father to teach me to play, and every once and a while he would show me a few things on the piano, but he wanted me to develop my own style," Washington recalls. "I started out playing by ear, then I went to the University of the Arts and studied classical and jazz piano. Of course I picked up some of my father's technique just because I watched him all the time. I grew up listening to a combination of modern Gospel, like the Hawkins Family and Kirk Franklin, and '80s pop, like Phil Collins and Michael W. Smith. The result is that I make the music that inspires me. My music has become something of a hybrid, a melding, if you will, of both the Gospel and CCM genres, two categories of music that continue to greatly influence me and my songwriting."

The Jesus Record gives Washington the opportunity to fully express his passion for worship and exhortation, while exploring a plethora of upbeat, alt-pop rhythms to accentuate his encouraging, Christ-focused lyrics. He launches the project with swaying Latin cadences to accentuate his joyful declaration hymn, "Traded," then exponentially cranks up the joy factor on the happy urban-pop anthem, "Just Wanna." Lush synths, peace-evoking piano and meditative strings accompany Washington's encouraging exhortation ballad, "316," which draws on the classic verse from the Gospel of John for inspiration.

Washington displays remarkable stylistic range on the soaring, orchestral, multi-layered radio single, "Jesus." It is impossible to not get happy on the bouncy pop anthem, "He Understands." Washington gets a little funky on the jazzy "Because of You," then gets downright militant on the declaratory battle hymn, "We Are The City."

Although Washington wrote all 17 songs and produced The Jesus Record himself, he has never considered himself a one-man show. He shares the studio with his father, Bishop Freddy Washington, Sr., on the Gospel barnburner, "I Love You." Melinda Watts lends her stellar vocals to the peaceful ballad, "The Master's Hand," and Chrystal Rucker joins Washington on lovely and encouraging, "There is a Place." Bryon "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers is featured on Washington's "I Need You."

For more information about Washington or The Jesus Record, visit freddywashington.com.

Photo caption: Freddy Washington, right, shared the bill with Martha Munizzi, left, at a recent concert at P.O.D.D. Church (Pentecostals of Dover, Del., Church) in Dover. (Photo by Benhod Durham)

About Freddy Washington:
A native of New Jersey, Washington has had a heart for service from a young age. It was serving in his father's music ministry that inspired him to venture into the music realm himself. Although he's currently prepping the release of his debut CD, he's no stranger to the music industry. Washington travels internationally as an in-demand preacher and musical clinician, and has achieved considerable success as a composer, producer, songwriter and performer. He nabbed Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award nominations for his work on Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s The Big Picture project. He produced and co-wrote several songs on Gospel Dream winner, Melinda Watts' debut album, People Get Ready, including her Dove Award-nominated hit radio single, "So Good."

For more information on Freddy Washington and The Jesus Record, visit freddywashington.com or reverbnation.com/freddywashington