Howard Gripp Releases Second Single 'I'm Not My Yesterday' Ahead of Full-Length Album
Sep 11 2026
Christian singer-songwriter Howard Gripp has released his new single, "I'm Not My Yesterday," through NRT Music. The laid-back, Americana-influenced track delivers a message of redemption, transformation, and the freedom that comes from refusing to be defined by the past.
Written by Gripp alongside acclaimed producer and songwriter Billy Smiley, "I'm Not My Yesterday" centers on a simple declaration: "I'm not my yesterday, grace has washed my past away." The song speaks directly to listeners carrying the weight of regret, failure, and shame, pointing instead toward the new identity and hope found in Christ.
"I wanted to express the idea of redemption and transformation in a fresh way that people could connect with," Gripp shares. "I wrote the song to encourage anyone who feels trapped by their past, reminding them that change is possible and that no matter where they are in life, their story is not finished."
The message is deeply connected to Gripp's own journey. After years of performing in bands and pursuing music, life took him through marriage, fatherhood, a career in IT, divorce, depression, and eventually a suicide attempt. At 46, Gripp found himself sitting in the parking lot of a small church, a moment that became a turning point in his life and faith.
That experience adds weight to the song's declaration that the past does not get the final word. "I'm Not My Yesterday" captures the perspective of someone who has lived through broken seasons and discovered that grace can still rewrite the story.
Produced by Smiley, the single continues to introduce the sound and message behind Gripp's forthcoming album, Welcome To Your Life, expected in Spring 2027. Recorded in Franklin, Tennessee, at Castle Recording Studios and Peter Frampton's Studio Phenix, the album blends acoustic and heartland rock with Gripp's honest approach to faith and storytelling. Billy Whittington mixed the project, with credits that include Vince Gill, Michael W. Smith, and Amy Grant.
"I'm Not My Yesterday" is available on digital streaming platforms September 11 through NRT Music.
