Singer shares CD ‘Set Free’

By Travina Coleman
Phoenix Features Writer

June 07, 2008 12:03 am

— Jeremy Hart, 17, has been writing songs since he was 7 years old.
But it was a song he wrote when he was 15 that makes his mother want to cry.
“I had been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Cindy Hart said.
Hart said he had been sitting in the waiting room of the hospital during his mom’s surgery, when he was inspired to write “In Your Hands.”
“I can’t listen to it without tearing up,” Cindy said.
Hart is a Muskogee High School senior who is releasing his second Southern gospel CD, “Set Free,” as a follow up to “What I Have.”
His CD release party is being held from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church Activity Center. He also won honorable mention in the Muskogee Songwriting Contest for “No Matter When, No Matter Where.”
“Anybody can come,” he said. “I will have both my CDs for sale.”
He is also a graphic design student at Indian Capital Technology Center, and has used his skills for the covers of his CDs.
“Southern gospel has a country feel to it,” Hart said. “I have a more progressive style song on the second CD. I try to cover all of it to appeal to all age groups.”
Hart has been involved with music his whole life. He sings with his church choir at United Pentecostal Church, where his father, Mike, is pastor.
“I have been singing since I was little,” he said. “I was about 7 years old when I wrote my first song.”
It was a simple song, based off sermons his father had given that week at church.
“I usually draw my inspiration off his sermons,” he said. “I remember writing one when I was 12 years old. It was after church and we were all eating at Hamlin’s. Afterwards I wrote the chorus and the first verse on a Hamlin’s napkin.”
That particular song was called “Set Free.”
“It’s unbelievable,” Mike Hart said. “He is very talented. He can play be ear.”
He plays the harmonica, guitar and saxophone, and studied piano, too.
Hart said the recent project began after hooking up with Matthew Holt, one of The Perrys, a top musician in Southern gospel.
“I was so excited when my dad asked him to help me with my music,” Hart said.
Hart said the person responsible for mixing the CD had done work for Ricky Skaggs. They recorded at Hilltop Studios in Nashville, Tenn.
“My whole purpose for this is to give back to God,” Hart said. “God’s given me the songs, and I don’t feel like they are just for me.”

If you go
WHAT: Jeremy Hart’s “Set Free,” CD release party.
WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. today.
WHERE: First United Methodist Church Activity Center, 600 E. Okmulgee Ave.
ADMISSION: Free.
MUSIC: Jeremy Hart’s “What I am” and “Set Free” will be available for purchase for $16 each.

Reach Travina Coleman at 684-29801 or tcoleman@muskogeephoenix. com.

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