TYLER, Texas (KLTV) -A surprise for an East Texas teen landed him an audition on American Idol.
Throughout his journey, his family and faith guide every note he sings and plays.
“I am Jayson Garner,” says the 17-year-old singer-songwriter and worship leader at his church in Emory, Texas.
Garner comes from a household full of musicians.
“A big part of my music is my family,” says Garner. “My dad plays the drums. He plays guitar. He taught me to play guitar. My sister plays guitar and my little sister, she plays drums.”
Music has always been a passion for him.
“I love playing all different kinds of music,” says Garner.
But he says his faith is what drives him.
”I love Jesus,” says Garner. “I think it’s a big test of living it out.”
When the opportunity arrived unexpectedly to audition for American Idol, Garner took it as a sign.
“My sister actually signed me up for American idol,” says Garner. “I don’t know much about American Idol at all. I had not watched an episode before this season started….I was just excited to have just another opportunity.”
For Garner, music is a way to share his relationship with God and encourage others in their faith.
“There’s a lot of people who claim to be Christian or they’re like, I’ll go to church and yeah, I believe in God or whatever, but where the rubber meets the road is where you’re willing to share that with other people,” says Garner.
And sharing Christian music with the world, was an opportunity of a lifetime for him.
“It’s more than just being heard for my own music,” says Garner. “It was about being able to share what I know is true and the hope that i found and just the difference that Jesus makes.”
With his family right by his side, he says the experience is even more memorable.
“My family has always been super, super supportive of all my music,” says Garner. “I’m so appreciative to my family just to kind of ride the wave.”
Looking ahead, he’s focusing on releasing original Christian music from his home studio in the summer.
“I feel like it’s what God’s given me and he wants me to share, and so I’m wanting to be obedient in that,” says Garner.
You can catch Jayson’s American Idol audition this Monday, Feb. 16 on KLTV and KTRE. Jayson will also be performing at the ‘Rock the Pines Festival’ in Mineola in September.
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