Jerry Nelson: Sketches

Jerry Nelson has served for 34 years as arranger and instrumental director at Denver First Church of the Nazarene. He is the founder of Clarion Sound Tracks, the oldest accompaniment track company in the world, and parent company of Eagle's Nest, a mountain retreat and studio primarily for Christian artists.

Where were you born and raised?

In the snowbanks of Minnesota.

Explain about your family.

I have two incredible sons, Scott and Brad, plus five grandchildren with Diane. After Diane lost her bout with cancer, I married Rachel and added her children, Blake and Monique, and five more grandkids overnight.

How did you become interested in music and piano?

Music was dormant in my life until my dad bought a player piano when I was seven. Forget the player piano rolls—the 88 keys were like magnets to me.

How old were you when you started piano lessons?

I took lessons from age 7 to 11, and then had a long break before resuming three more years in college. The seven-year interim may have been a blessing. It forced me into the "bread and butter" of my career—improvisation.

Where was your first public performance?

Our St. Paul, Minnesota, church lost its only pianist. Those people became my guinea pigs when at age 11, with feet dangling from the bench, I inherited the job by default. How privileged I was.

How does music affect you spiritually?

Every day births a new creative challenge. It's my "soul" food.

Should we have "entertainment" in the church? How has this issue evolved?

It's always been there. Effective communication begs for an element of entertainment balanced with true substance. Prime example: Jesus' preaching used illustrations, word pictures, and a touch of humor.

How do you react to musical trends?

Out of necessity, I shift with the trend. The demands of my creative world help keep my ears tuned to diverse styles.

Have you reached your goals with music and that industry?

Totally. The joy of seeing lives changed through church ministry, piano concerts, studio recording, a steady flow of arranging, a few mediocre songs, a handful of publications, occasional lectures, conducting the best musicians in London, and working in a mountain studio and retreat center with my family—what more could one ask for? God is good.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I've played concerts with fingernails that were torn and grubby from pounding nails and working on cars.

Weird moments during performances?

In concert, I often play "I'll Fly Away" while upside-down with my arms crossed. In one world area, this performance elicited chants of "witchcraft! witchcraft!" which is what they say for anything they can't explain. Another time, as I was directing an orchestra concert at the piano, my pages got out of sequence and upside-down. I flipped them quickly—right onto the piano strings—and then had to play left-handed while reorganizing the mess. It was good for many laughs.

What's on your iPod?

Classical, jazz, and samplings of current cover titles.

What do you wish you had known at age 21 that you know now?

Myself. Socrates, you hit the nail on the head.

What trait would you like to change in yourself?

I'm too compulsive, too driven.

Why are you a Nazarene?

Because of a rich legacy—my parents' choice. Doctrinally, by my own choice.

How do you want to be remembered?

His music and his life inspired joy, passion, and hope in many, many people.

Holiness Today, May/June 2007

Please note: This article was originally published in 2007. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.