Jacob Blue

Plenty of songwriters have more material than they know what to do with. Few go so far as to make their debut with the simultaneous release of two full albums.

But that's exactly the case with songwriter/vocalist/bandleader John Hammond and his band, Jacob Blue. The group recently unveiled two separate discs, "The Simple Things" and "A Voice in the Wilderness."

The band's mission is specific: "Three men dedicated to spreading God's message of hope and salvation through their own unique sound," is how it's given at www.jacobblue.net. (The other partners are John Nicklason and Danny Pearson.)

That sound is a workmanlike rock approach, which is appropriate given that these are tradesmen who've turned their skills to a faith-driven project after spending their time in the wilds of secular music.
"I really, literally feel that it's different than anything that anybody else is doing," he said.

He also makes a distinction between his songwriting and contemporary praise and worship music.

"Praise and Worship is generally people speaking to God," he said. "This is more like God speaking to you. It's like Proverbs."

After some startup toil, he's excited to see the band getting its music across, picking up bookings. Members also are excited about playing at BayFest in October, Hammond said.

"It seems like one day it just opens up," Hammond said.

The albums can be found online at www.cdbaby.com. The band also maintains a presence at www.myspace.com/jacobblueband.

- Press-Register (Lawrence Specker)