New music explores failure, redemption and revival

NOTE: to see the article featuring ALL the Nightvision artists, go here:  https://www.kjol.org/meet-the-nightvision-artists-2026 Anne Wilson says being a rebel means choosing God over social pressure. She has just released a book called Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way . It comes on the heels of her 2024 album, also called Rebel. Wilson burst on the music scene in 2021 with the song “ My Jesus ,” inspired by the death of her 23 year old brother Jacob, who died in a car accident when Anne was just 15. Since then, she has had eight hit singles, most recently “God Story.” She says her book is a way of expanding on the message of her Rebel album. She told the Christian Post: “I realized I had so much more to say than what I could fit into a three-minute song. The whole topic is really about what it means to live as a Christian in today's world, to stand for the Gospel, to be bold in your faith and to take a stand for what you believe in." With her distinct voice, attractive appearance, and catchy songs, she could easily be a successful country music artist. But Wilson says "I'm not going to compromise my faith to fit country, and I'm not going to compromise my sound to fit Christian radio. This is who I am. I love Jesus. I love country music. I'm going to do both." When Anne Wilson takes the stage at Nightvision on Friday, June 5 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, she hopes her audience will remember one thing: “Living life for Jesus is the best life you could live.” Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way releases June 9.

Nightvision 2026 features a host of first-time artists. Returning artists include Katy Nichole (2022), while Blessing Offor and Jeremy Camp were here last year but their performances were lost due to the massive hailstorm which hit Friday afternoon. Here’s a quick look at each of this year’s lineup. Friday, June 5 Caleb & John Caleb Crino & John Secker Caleb studied piano at Belmont University in Nashville. John is a self-taught guitarist. They met through a mutual friend while performing with similar Christian artists. Megan Woods Massachusetts native, who grew up in an abusive relationship and struggled with her self-worth until a friend convinced her Jesus is real. She went to church, studied the Word, and started leading worship. Andrew Ripp Andrew Ripp has openly battled alcoholism and chronic anxiety and fear. He says his music is a means to “step into a battlefield” and put his anxieties in their place. He co-wrote "Rescue Story" with Zach Williams. It is a deeply personal testament for both of them about their transformation from addiction and struggle to redemption. Benjamin William Hastings A native of Northern Ireland, Hastings was a member of Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United. He wrote “100 Billion X (So Will I)”, recorded by Hillsong United, and Taya Smith (which has been viewed 300 million times on YouTube). Anne Wilson 24 year old Kentucky native whose song “My Jesus” became a breakout hit in 2021. It was inspired after the death of her 23 year old brother Jacob “who was my best friend” when she was 15. For more on Anne Wilson, see the new blog: " Anne Wilson is a Rebel " Saturday, June 6 Hopeful Hopeful is a southern California “indie alt rock band” formed by Randy James and his close friends who “shared the surf & skate culture.” whose aim is to “kick hopelessness in the teeth” with a message of faith in Jesus. Miles Minnick Minnick is a San Francisco “pioneering Christian Hip Hop artist blending faith and culture.” His rap career began at age 15, until his life was changed when he encountered God and became a Christian. Blessing Offor Blessing Offor was born in Nigeria, blind in one eye. He and his uncle moved to Connecticut when he was six in hopes of treating his glaucoma. But when he was 10, an accident left him blind in both eyes. He was a finalist on NBC's The Voice in 2014. His appearance at Nightvision 2025 was hailed out. Katy Nichole 25 yr old Katy Nichole (Litwiller) is a musician from Arizona. She wrote “In Jesus’ Name” in 2022 after three years of pain following surgery for scoliosis. She says that after the rods were removed, her back was healed. She first appeared at Nightvision in 2022. Jeremy Camp No other artist has made more appearances (six) at Nightvision than Jeremy Camp. He was scheduled to perform in 2025 but was hailed out (along with Blessing Offor). He lost his first wife, Melissa, to cancer in 2001. That inspired his song (and movie) “I Still Believe.” He later married musician Adrienne “Adie” Liesching in 2023.

Well, there goes May…and welcome to the month of June! We are looking forward to how God works through this ministry of KJOL this month. Last month, we spent a lot of time planning and working on various projects to see very little actually come to fruition. Perhaps this month!

KJOL has two new songs right now that address aspects of our failures, using admonition and compassion and humility. Dusty Bibles Josiah Queen Josiah Queen’s song is about the realization that he had been neglecting his own personal time in the Word. He laments that we neglect our Bibles and “wonder why we feel this way.” It begins with an intriguing verse that may have multiple meanings: Hey, how you been? It's been a while, and I'm just checking in I miss the way things used to be back in 2017 And I just miss my friend On first glance, it seems he is talking to an old friend. But I think his “old friend” is his Bible, and he misses “the way things used to be” when he was faithfully reading it “back in 2017.” He claims that he is “fine” but also admits “struggling to find some peace of mind” and laments how “we’re too busy and can’t find the time” (to read our Bibles). Hey, I've been fine I've been struggling to find some peace of mind It's the problem of our nation and in our generation We're too busy and can't find the time Are we busy, or is it all a lie? Then he shifts into an exhortation that we have “brand new iPhones” but “dust on our Bibles” and we are simply “blind leading blind folks.” With dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones No wonder why we feel this way We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles Pretty strong words, but they come from someone who is admonishing himself for letting the “idols” of social media to crowd out his Bible reading. Black Sheep Ben Fuller Ben Fuller has been very open about his past. Four years ago, he says, “ God found me in Vermont. He found me in addiction. ” Last year he wrote a song called “ Turn ” in which he admits that he nearly stopped at a bar after a relationship had soured, but instead, he “turned.” I wanted to turn to the bottle I even drove past the bar It turns out I'm not strong as I thought But that's when I learned that You are Screaming my prayers to Heaven I turn it all over Let You turn it around, turn it around His current song, “Black Sheep,” is calling out to those who are struggling with the same things he did. You hate everything about you You think we're better off without you You wear your pain out on your sleeve And you paint it on in rebel ink But the alcohol and pills ain't fixed a thing So, how's it going out there? Acting like you ain't scared How's that heart of stone? It ain't so hard when you're alone Crying tears you hope nobody sees Guess the good news is He'll never leave you be Jesus loves you black sheep He reassures the black sheep that there is “good news.” And amazing grace is a pesky, pesky thing But the good news is He'll never leave you be Jesus loves you black sheep And that’s good news for all us, whether we think we are perfect lambs or black sheep: Jesus loves you.

Our April Spring Friendraiser is officially underway! From time to time on the air, you might hear a gentle reminder to support KJOL in 2026…it’s not a Sharathon…just a time to encourage new friends to come alongside us in ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and God’s Word across the Western Slope.