After Grace Share Their Journey and Their Hopes to Bring Hope Through Their Music

"Simple Things," the new anthem from acoustic/pop duo After Grace, is now available on digital platforms. Written by After Grace's Cody Clark, along with Daniel Doss, and produced by Foster Ferrell, the poignant song recounts Clark's personal journey of rediscovering what was most important in his life: "faith and hope and love, and knowing Jesus is enough to get me through the day."

Brothers-in-law Cody Clark and Jerad Moffitt formed After Grace in their hometown of Mountain Home, Arkansas, in 2013. The duo released the singles "Save Me" and "Shine" in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In 2019 After Grace's debut EP, You Know, released on Burtonwood Records, with the project's title-cut garnering airplay on Christian AC radio. The duo has opened performances for TobyMac, Building 429, Colton Dixon, 7eventh Time Down, Sanctus Real, Cochren & Co., and Dan Bremnes, among others.  

Q: Thank you for doing this interview with us.  Let's start with yourselves: who is After Grace?

Jerad: We are Cody Clark and Jerad Moffitt, brothers-in-law with a genuine passion for music and ministry. We've been playing music together for about 15 years and have been thoroughly blessed to do so as musical partners and brothers.

Q: How and what prompt the two of you to start making music?

Cody: Music has always been a big part of our lives. I grew up playing drums and being part of worship teams at church, and Jerad has a similar background. As we grew older, we both started branching out to other instruments like guitar, piano and singing, and we even played together some during our teenage years. Now, Jerad and I are brothers-in-law and we still have the same passion and joy for music as we did growing up. Being able to share the love of Christ through music is the most rewarding part of what we do. 

Q: Why do you call yourselves After Grace?

Jerad: Our band name was founded on 2 Timothy 1:9 which states, "He has saved us and called us to live a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." All that we are and all that we ever will be is because of God's grace and His sacrifice for us. This grace that's been given to us is a gift we could never earn, yet we freely receive it and walk in that grace daily. 

Q: What do you think makes your music stand out?  What would you say is the most distinctive aspect of your music?

Cody: We want our music to impact lives and help people find hope, peace, love and-most importantly-Jesus. If our music can help someone in their time of need, that makes it all worth it.

Q: You have released an EP in 2019, tell us a little about this record.

Jerad: Our EP, You Know, was released through Burtonwood Records and was such an incredible journey for us as a band. We were blessed to make so many connections and build relationships while creating the EP. It opened up doors for us to share the stage with some of our childhood heroes as well.

Q: You have a brand new single out --- tell us the story behind "Simple Things."

Cody: "Simple Things" is very personal to me as it comes from a difficult place I found myself in a few years ago. To sum it all up, I just wasn't being the man God called me to be. I was allowing some things I was dealing with to overwhelm me and begin to define me. I was reflecting a bad version of myself upon my wife, children, family and friends. One night in the studio I was messing around and I felt God begin to speak to me. He revealed that I needed to cherish and be thankful for what I have. I was so caught up in my selfish nature and my pride, trying to fix everything myself, that was just making things worse. I was reminded how blessed I am to have a beautiful wife and two amazing children; an incredible mother and father who have always been there for me; and I could go on and on with what I was feeling in that moment. It was then that "Simple Things" began. 

Jerad and I hope the message of enjoying the simple things in life is what people feel when they listen. Don't let a moment pass you by and remember how important each and every day truly is. You only get to live this life once, so don't waste it. 

Q: Are you working on a new EP or album? What can we be looking forward to in the near future?

Jerad: We have several singles on the horizon that we're very excited about. With the release of "Simple Things," our band has come back to its roots, in a sense, with our sound and message. One of our next singles shares the journey my wife and I have taken into adoption, via foster care.

Q: How do you wish to impact the lives of your listeners and God's kingdom with your music? 

Cody: We just want our music to reflect the love of Christ and point people to Him. Music connects with people in a way nothing else can, and it can be the avenue to bless someone during a specific season of life they find themselves in. We want our music to speak hope, love and life into each and every person that hears it.

For further information on After Grace, visit aftergraceband.com  or turningpointpr.com. Follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 

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