Jerry Corelli the Christian Neil Diamond

1975 was when this picture was taken.  I was 16 years old and trying desperately to grow a mustache.

 For some reason dressing stupid was the fashion back then.  I don't know why I wore that hat.

This was the first "Neil Diamond" album I'd listened to.  A friend, Jim Eberle, had the album and said I sound like him and that I should listen to the album.  I guess I was to the second song on the "Serenade" album and I was hooked.  At first I know it was because my voice was beginning to lower and it was easier to sing to Neil Diamond that it was Steve Archer.  I also listened to Barry McGuire.  The album below was my first Barry McGuire album like Neil Diamond's "Serenade" was my first Neil Diamond album I bought after giving Jim back the album he let me borrow.

Then I discovered used album stores and found out Neil Diamond had a bunch of albums prier to the Serenade album and once I heard the "Hot August Night" album I knew I wanted to collect them all.

I guess I was 18 or so when I first started getting people coming up to me after a gig and saying, "Do you know who you sound like?" or "You sound just like Neil Diamond."  From that first time and for a long time that statement used to really bother me.  When I listened to my recordings and compared them with Neil Diamond I couldn't hear it.  I guess it's like William Shatner not seeing why comedians do his captain Kirk the way they do.

I'm not sure when I started becoming comfortable with the Neil Diamond thing but I think I realized that as singers we have to be compared with someone so now I tend to use it in my favor.  In 2010 I've been singing at a lot of Worthy Music Ministries' Showcases and many of them are in more secular venues like the Seattle Center - Center House Stage, Tacoma Freedom Fair and the Orting Pumpkin Fest.  The venues don't have too big of a problem with us sing Christian music but I've found that since people think I sound like Neil Diamond it's a great chance to get it out of the way by singing "America".

Now when I sing at venues and do Neil Diamond's "America" it tends to get it out of the way and it is an attention grabber too.  I now have more people coming up to tell me I'm the Christian Neil Diamond.

Nation Of The Weak

"They have eyes, but they can't see. They're a part of the Nation of the weak". Throughout the song I wrote about how people think they are great and how they're greatness is compared to a mighty nation. But, the truth is that without Christ in their life they're only, or are part of, a nation of the weak. Written by Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli

Nation of the Weak
Written September 8, 1982
Words and Music by Jerry Corelli

Verse 1
They have eyes, but they don’t see.
They have ears, but they don’t here,
They have mouths, but they don’t speak,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.

Verse 2
They have hands, but they won’t give,
They have hearts, but they’re cold and lonely,
They have minds, but they don’t think,
They’re apart of the nation of the weak.

Verse 3
They have their gods, but the they’re silver and gold,
They have their books, but wisdom from man gets old,
They have their buildings, that can reach the highest peak,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.

Verse 4
They have free will, but the free will is from man,
They have feet, but their feet won’t learn to stand,
They have their strength, but what they should be is meek,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.

Recorded 1982 by Jerry Corelli / Song #173
Copyright 1982 Corelli’s Music Box
Published 1982 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004920600

I Believe In Jesus

"I Believe In Jesus" is downloaded regularly through Napster and others. The songs talks of what it took, and takes, for others to believe in Christ. I think the words are hard hitting and on the mark. In addition, the unmistakable electric guitars and Lead guitar of Chris Brekke impacts the song with a distinctive flare.

Jerry Corelli

I believe In Jesus
Words and Music by
Mark Needham & Jerry Corelli

Stanza 1
It seems some need a sign to fall down from the sky.
And some need to read the writing on the wall.
Some don’t think it’s much unless it’s something they can touch.
But, I am here to tell you I believe.

Chorus
I believe in Jesus, that He died to free us.
I believe in His meekness and His wondrous love.
I believe in Jesus, in His power and greatness.
I believe in His kingdom and that He’s coming again.

Stanza 2
Ah, Moses needed a burning bush to convince him God was real.
And Paul had to be struck blind before his heart could truly feel.
But, all I need is the Word of God and His faith I have to see.
Cause, I’m here to tell you I believe.
B.T.C



Recorded 1998 by Jerry Corelli / Song #301 / Time 3:16
Copyright 1998 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI
Published 1998 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004718578

Aren't You Ready

I was listening to one of my all time favorite Christian Artists the other day, Barry McGuire. The album was a live album "Barry McGuire and the Second Chapter of Acts". By the way I love Second Chapter of Acts too. Anyway, I hadn't heard the album in sometime and realized how much it was like going to church. I realized that my songwriting style is from the generation I grew up in. That is, my style of writing Christian songs, is meat and potatoes like what I was hearing from the Barry McGuire album. In other words Jesus loves you, he died on the cross for you, he rose again and defeated dead and your sins are forgiven. Therefore if you're not born again, if you haven't accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then, you're going to hell. That's what I call meat and potatoes Christian music. That's what most of the songs are like on this album. "Aren't You Ready" says it loud and clear.

Jerry Corelli