Update: Due to the situation involving Ja’Marc, the remaining members of Raze have decided to cancel the entire 30-city
“Amazing Pop Invasion” tour. According to an article in Tulsa World, only half the promoters wanted to keep their dates. Raze
representative Valerie Summers said “about half of the promoters wanted to keep their dates” in the tour. “However, after
much prayer and discussion, Raze felt it would be best emotionally, spiritually and financially to cancel the remaining dates.”
Mizzie, Todd, and Donnie, the other members of Raze, are heading home to be with their families and seek pastoral counseling. Ja’Marc has pleaded Not Guilty and is being held in jail at a
$550,000 bail.
These allegations will not affect Raze’s nomination for a Dove Award.
3/08/01 Ja’Marc Davis , the founder of the Christian band RAZE was arrested in Oklahoma on sex charges involving an underage back-up singer, according to reports in the Tulsa World newspaper and Tennessean.
Davis was arrested in Tulsa on Thursday, March 1, after the first concert of the group’s nationwide tour and reportedly charged with 11 sexual charges. The relationship started with the girl in 1998 when she was 13 and he was 22.
An investigation revealed that in June 1999, Davis told the executive director of his Christian youth ministry about the consensual sexual contact with the girl and two other girls. The other girls were 16, police said, old enough by law to consent to the acts.
Despite the arrest, the remaining members of RAZE are continuing the concert tour with two performances scheduled in Tennessee this week. The band has been nominated this year for two Dove awards.
The group has had an active ministry to high school students, often spending a couple of days a week performing and discussing life issues in high schools. According to the ForeFront web site, each year Mizzie, Ja’Marc, Donnie and Todd take time away from touring and recodring for the “Get With It” ministry which runs from mid-September through early November.During these high school assemblies, “They encourage students to be themselves and to deal constructively with the challenges of their generation,” the web site states.
In a statement emailed yesterday a ForeFront spokesperson indicated that the charges against Ja’Marc remain unproven and that the record company stands behind Ja’Marc.
“In times like these, it is more important than ever to support a brother in need. We stand behind our artist, and we are in prayer for Ja’Marc and RAZE,” said Greg Ham, President, ForeFront Records. “As this matter is
now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comments. As more information becomes available we will issue additional statements.”
Teresa Davis, president of the group’s management company (Paradigm Managment) as well as Davis’ sister-in-law, released the following statement:
“These allegations stem from events which happened two years ago. Ja’Marc came forward two years ago and made us aware of a need for restoration. His pastor and I have walked with him during the past two years and have been actively involved in the restoration process,” the statement reads. “We are in communication with the affected families and are aware this is not their doing. Raze will go on and the tour will go on.”
Updates on this sad situation will be provided as we receive them. In the meantime, please join us in praying for the band, Ja’Marc, the victim, and for wisdom, discernment and disclosure in this situation.
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