Jason Rich sat at the front of a rural Iowa church, guitar in hand, belting out his own lyrics as he strummed his Taylor. His voice echoed through the pews and across the room, filling the church with the sounds of Christian contemporary music.

It's only been 2 years since the Iowa native first began his journey as a musical artist, but already his resume includes two albums, countless live performances, and an appearance on the highest rated television show in the United States; American Idol. But to Rich, American Idol was just a stepping-stone. Rich, accompanied by three former band members, was preparing for his debut as a solo artist. He plans to continue touring and making live performances now after the recent release of his first solo album, I Am Waiting. And although Rich had seen some success as a member of the Christian Contemporary band Greenhill, it wasn't until he auditioned for American Idol that he believes things started to really change.

In August of 2007 Rich auditioned in Omaha, Neb. in front of Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, two of the three main judges for the show. After placing in the top 65 out of 112,000 people during 'Hollywood-week', Rich explained what was going on in his head thoughout the whole process. Rich said once he got going his confidence grew, but at times it was more than nerve-racking. "In the back of my mind I'm thinking ‘what’s happening? I'm not supposed to be here. These are people we see on TV everyday and now they're listening to what I'm saying?'"

Since American Idol, Rich said he has grown immensely. In the last 2 years, Rich has done much more to pursue a musical career than just try out for American Idol. Rich began his musical quest as a worship leader and singer at Orchard Hill Church in Grundy Center and Cedar Falls, IA. It is there that Rich said he grew as a musician and a vocalist, but more importantly, as a Christian. Rich soon formed the band Greenhill, initially just to play at OneFest, an annual Christian music festival in Cedar Falls that features big names in the Christian Contemporary industry (such as Relient K, Mark Schultz, Building 429, StorySide:B) and local talent alike.

After the concert, the group decided to continue performing, now under the guidance of manager Bartlett, a OneFest production manager who they met while performing at the festival. Greenhill performed at concerts throughout Iowa and the Midwest that summer, playing almost every weekend from May through September. At the same time, the band wrote, recorded and released an album entitled The Days of A Tree, which was made available on sites such as Amazon.com and itunes by April 2007.

By growing as an artist and performing all summer, Bartlett said Rich grew more confident in pursuing a solo career, which led to his American Idol audition that fall. "My first thought was 'he's exactly what American Idol looks for.' I thought he was a good match," Bartlett said. So to kick-start his solo career, Rich began recording his second album, but this time using his own name.

Rich finished recording in January, and recently made it available on-line as well. Bartlett has watched Rich grow for over a year and a half, and says Rich is someone with a lot of potential. With the experience Rich now has, Bartlett is confident he has the ability to pursue a career within the Christian music industry. "He definitely has the potential to do this full-time. He has the potential to go a long ways." Bartlett continued that in his opinion, Rich's voice is what sets him apart. "Vocally he is as strong as anyone I've come across. In my opinion he definitely has the talent to do a lot."

After continuing to grow as a Christian artist, Rich said it is now more important than ever to grow in his faith as well. "He [God] has to be our main focus, and if I can use my talents to honor Christ and lead more people to Him, then I see that as my main purpose and focus in this life. To be able to make a career out of this would be amazing as well. I feel it’s very possible." Rich continued. "With the experiences I endure in this life, I feel a build-up inside of me of words and thoughts. I know I need to relay that to people so they can see and hear God's grace and beauty and learn from Him as well."

Many people who have met and worked with Rich agree that he has a gift. Ann Knapp, who has worked and performed with Rich for over two years, describes him as extremely talented and motivated. "I believe he has more than what it takes to make it in the Christian music industry," Knapp said. Grundy Center physical education teacher Rick Schupbach met Rich through worship service at Orchard Hill, and was blown away by Rich's musical abilities. "It was quite evident," Schupbach said. "We all knew he had a special gift. And not just for singing, but for God. I'm probably biased, but I listen to him, and listen to a lot of artists on CDs and I don't think he has to take a back seat to any of them." Schupbach said the exposure and the contacts Rich gained from American Idol are the best part of appearing on national television. "It [American Idol] wasn't an end itself. It opened doors for him," Schupbach said. Rich agrees. For Rich, his appearance on American Idol wasn't the reward in itself, but a means to an end.

"I know that this whole American Idol monster happened for a reason," Rich said. "It gave me the confidence in what the Lord has created me to be." And Rich said he will continue to do what is necessary to pursue it.

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