Ellington

The first time I saw Jeremy Camp in concert was in 2008. Although he's released countless songs featuring hard-hitting guitar riffs and upbeat tempos, the slower worship songs have really stuck with me over the years. Many have brought comfort during rough patches in my life and helped me keep hope in the midst of unrelenting darkness. It's a combination of the lyrics and the passion with which he sings them that allows a listener to center herself and focus her thoughts on God.

In August, Camp released his newest album, "We Cry Out: The Worship Project." The album includes new songs like "Jesus Saves" and "Unrestrained," as well as well-known worship songs from other artists remixed by Camp like "Mighty to Save" and "Everlasting God."

One especially powerful song is "Overcome," written by Jon Egan of the Christian group Desperation Band. Egan penned the song after the 2007 shootings at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he is also the associate worship pastor. "During the recording, there was a spontaneous moment of worship. ... I had to stop singing from all the emotion. We felt God's Spirit was so thick in that room, and I would never say that lightly," Camp said on his website about the experience.

Visit the musician's website at www.jeremycamp.com. He performs songs from his new album at the Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center Sunday, Oct. 10. The show starts at 
7 p.m.; Carlos Whittaker and John Mark McMillan will also perform. Tickets are $20-$30 and are available for purchase at www.etix.com.