Whenever I hear a song played on the radio several times a day, every day; I have to stop and take notice! If you haven’t noticed Jonathan Nelson and My Name is Victory let me bring you up to speed!

On February 5, 2008 Gospel artist Jonathan Nelson and Purpose released their sophomore album, Right Now Praise, on Integrity Music. The uplifting single from the album, My Name is Victory, debuted at #28 on Radio & Records’ Hot Gospel Songs Chart and continues to be one of the most played gospel songs today! (it is my sister’s favorite and my husband’s ringtone!)

The album features the assistance of such gospel artists as Sheri Moffet-Jones on Yes, Out There, William Murphy on Great and Mighty, Nikki Ross on Already Mine and Nelson’s twin brother Jason on Right Now Praise. Nelson co-wrote the gospel hit of Youth for Christ, The Struggle is Over, which went to number one on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs Chart in 2007. He also wrote other chart hits such as Donald Lawrence’s top 10 hit, Healed; Rudolph McKissick, Jr.’s The Right Place; Melonie Daniel’s Praise is My Weapon; and Stephen Hurd’s Destiny and Great Praise. Jonathan also wrote, Manifest, from Bishop T.D. Jake’s Grammy winning, A Wing and a Prayer.

One of six children born in Baltimore, Maryland, Nelson grew up in church. According to Nelson, everybody in his family worked in ministry. His father, James Nelson, was pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple Church for over thirty years and his mom served as First Lady. Nelson’s extended family was also musical. His grandmother played piano and he had two uncles who were musicians. They all grew up playing and singing in church.

Jonathan earned his first professional gig singing background vocals for Karen Clark Sheard in 2000. Soon after that performance Nelson and his friends formed the group “Purpose”. They went on to back such great artists as BeBe & CeCe Winans and Michael McDonald. Their debut album, Everything You Are: Live in Baltimore, was released in 2003.

An anthem for Nelson’s personal life is the title song, Right Now Praise. He says, “I wrote that during a difficult time in my life back in 2003. I was on the verge of losing my home and my car. I was working as a substitute teacher. I was in a very low place. My car is my mediation place. I was crying down the road and started singing a melody to the Lord and that’s when Right Now Praise came to me. I had to rush into school and get to my tape recorder and put it down before I forgot it. Everything with this project is timing. I feel like its time for whatever God has for me to do right now. This is my God ordained time for my life.”

If you haven’t heard it, run out and get it! Right Now Praise! Congratulations Jonathan Nelson! Because of you, daily I proclaim: My Name Is Victory!