Jamie Owens Collins

In the early 1970’s, a growing group of young people began using the folk and rock music of their generation to express their newly found love for God.  Among these “Jesus People” was a California teen-aged girl named Jamie Owens.

 Jamie’s parents, Jimmy and Carol Owens (“Come Together,” “If My People,” “The Witness”) provided Jamie and her brother, Buddy with a home rich in faith, friends and music.  Jamie penned her first published song, “May I Introduce You to a Friend” when she was just 13. During her teens, she sang on many recordings with friends such as Randy Stonehill, Barry McGuire, Pat Boone and the Second Chapter of Acts.  From the age of 15, she felt a strong sense of calling to use music to encourage others and glorify God.

In 1973, at the age of 17, Jamie recorded her first solo album, “Laughter in Your Soul” featuring vocal backing from the Second Chapter of Acts.  This became the best selling Christian album in the UK the following year as Jamie toured internationally, performing in venues from churches to prisons, concert halls to cathedrals, coffee houses to festivals as well as radio and television.  

Jamie’s second project, “Growing Pains” featured the talents of friends Terry and John Michael Talbot, Michael Omartian and Keith Green (who later recorded his own popular version of Jamie’s Easter classic from this album, “The Victor.”)

Jamie was introduced to record producer, Dan Collins in 1975 by fellow Light Records artist, John Fischer.  Jamie and Dan were married the next year in the garden of long-time friend, Andrae Crouch. Dan produced Jamie’s next two albums, “Love Eyes” and “Straight Ahead”, leading to a number one Christian radio song in the US, “I’m Yours.”  With a growing family in tow (Jason, Ryan and Jessi,) Jamie continued her concert ministry, becoming increasingly popular as a speaker and Bible teacher as well.

Jamie’s reputation as a songwriter also expanded with covers of her songs by other artists including Keith Green, Steve Green, Sheila Walsh, Petra, Barbara Mandrell, John Michael Talbot, Terry Clark, Bob Fitts, Maranatha! Music and Integrity worship albums, even Evander Holyfield!  From Native American reservations to remote villages in India to a clandestine pastors’ gathering in Iraq, Jamie’s songs have been sung in worship around the world in many different languages.  Her worship anthem, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” from her album, “A Time for Courage” has become an international standard.

In the 1990’s, Jamie and her husband, Dan helped pioneer a burgeoning movement of contemporary praise music as original members of the Praise Band at Harvest Events with Greg Laurie and Franklin Graham Crusades, where Jamie was also a featured soloist.  Her album, “Seasons,” featuring the guitar genius of Phil Keaggy, included some of the songs made popular at these events such as “You Have Broken the Chains” and “Your Kindness.”

Jamie continues to be in demand as a writer. She has contributed commentary to two Bibles, The Worship Bible and the Women of Destiny Bible.  For the last few years, Jamie has been writing songs for Gospel Light’s Vacation Bible School and Sunday School programs, touching the lives of millions of children each year.  She has also recently written the powerful pro-life anthem, “The Least of These.” Jamie’s legacy of music ministry continues with the release of a collection of her best-loved songs entitled “Legacy, The Battle Belongs to the Lord.”