By Jonny Diaz | INO Records
Being awarded a baseball scholarship to Florida State University suggested to Jonny Diaz that he would follow his three brothers into the sport, two of whom have played ball on a professional level. But God had other plans for the young baseball player. Instead of sports, God was calling Diaz (pronounced “DYE-az”) to pursue music.
Diaz followed God’s direction and released three albums independently. His third album, They Need Love released in 2007 and got some major radio airplay with the song “Hold Me,” which hit the top 40 charts in 2008. Diaz signed with INO Records to release his fourth album, More Beautiful You.
Although Diaz’s music falls into the pop, contemporary Christian music category, his lyrics have some depth and declare a message of love, grace and forgiveness. He says this album addresses many aspects of the Christian faith.
“One theme that is prevalent throughout the record is truth,” Diaz says. “We are called to speak and live truth even in a culture that doesn’t agree.”
One of his songs certainly goes against the grain of what our culture communicates to women. “More Beautiful You” encourages young women that they are beautiful just the way they are. Says Diaz: “I hope to get the attention of females and tell them the truth found in God’s Word, that there could never be a more beautiful you!” Surely many will take this message to heart and find the freedom to love themselves as they are.
Some of Diaz’s light and bouncy melodies are reminiscent of Feist’s “1234” and Colbie Caillat’s “Bubbly.” Of course, Diaz’s lyrics of faith shine through. “Love Like You Loved” carries a message similar to Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes,” which won a Dove Award for song of the year. Diaz declares: “Help me to love like You loved / To serve like You served / To speak only words of truth / Help me to care like You cared for a world in despair / Help me to love like You.”
Even though Diaz is no longer pursuing baseball, he is still hitting it out the park with his music. Album warning: head bobbing will occur while listening to Diaz’s life-changing lyrics.
Click here to purchase this CD.
