July 29, 2020. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival has partnered with Passport Health Plan, as well as Louisville vocalist and songwriter Jason Clayborn, for a special music video release. Clayborn and The Atmosphere Changers perform his Grammy-nominated hit “Better” – in a tribute to the Derby Festival’s annual GospelFest event, and to share a message with the community. The video will premiere on the Festival’s Facebook page (@kyderbyfestival) this Thursday, July 30th at 1 p.m.
“Jason Clayborn has been part of our GospelFest event from the beginning. He was as excited about partnering with us on this virtual project as we were,” said Matt Gibson, KDF President and CEO. “We hope our fans enjoy the song and also the message, as we all work to get through these challenging times together.”
The annual GospelFest event that takes place during the Derby Festival showcases choirs from Louisville and around the region. Like other 2020 Festival events, GospelFest was not able to be held this year due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
“Passport has sponsored GospelFest for eight years now and this year more than ever, we wanted to continue to be a part of this uplifting event,” said Scott Bowers, President and CEO Passport Health Plan. “While we can’t gather in person, it’s so important to come together and raise our voices with this beautiful message of hope.”
Clayborn and The Atmosphere Changers recorded their parts for the video remotely on their mobile devices. They were then edited together for the special musical compilation.
“In these uncertain times, we need some uplifting and inspirational moments in song to help get us through,” said Jason Clayborn. “GospelFest is an amazing event during the Derby festivities where all the churches can come together no matter what denomination and background. It’s a spiritual and uplifting time, where you can worship and dance. It’s an event you never want to miss.”
Jason Clayborn was born into a spiritual and musical family of six in Louisville, Kentucky. He migrated towards local and regional church ministry as an artist and songwriter before forming The Atmosphere Changers, a gospel music choir comprised of young performers from Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. He has written over 100 songs. The song “Better” peaked at number one on the Billboard charts and garnered nominations for a Dove Award, Stellar Award, Soul Train Award, Billboard Award, and a Grammy Award.
Members of The Atmosphere Changers include: Tyler Anderson (St. Stephen Church), Brian Bausley (St. Stephen Church – Hardin County, KY), Colexis Bridgewater (Galatian Baptist Church), Niya Brown (Destiny Christian Fellowship – Sacramento, CA), Cari Burns (Good Shepard Worship Center), Cydney Crutcher (St. Stephen Church), Raymond Jeffries (House of Praise), Reggie Knox (SSC Indiana) and Alan Prentice (Cable Baptist Church).
The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
