Seventh Day Slumber
BIO:
Seventh Day Slumber frontman Joseph Rojas has an image in his mind. You might even call it a vision. Angels and saints are in Heaven, surrounding the throne of God, singing anthems of praise. At the same time, here on Earth, praises ascend skyward. They are the anthems of the imperfect children of God, expressions of hope from a place much darker than Heaven, songs of honesty and victory.
And in Rojas’s vision, they’re set to pounding drums and scorching guitars. Rojas calls “The Anthem of Angels”, the band’s eighth release on BEC Recordings, “one of the most honest records we’ve made. We’ve opened ourselves up more, and been vulnerable. On this record, we pull no punches.”
Honesty and candor have been trademarks of Rojas’s path from the depths of a cocaine-fueled suicide attempt through miraculous salvation in the back of an ambulance to the top of the Christian music charts. Seventh Day Slumber has long been heralded as a band that refuses to sugar-coat the struggles of real life. As the band has matured over the last 15 years, they’ve faced newfound challenges head on, and today their perspective and relevancy are as strong as ever, and their anthems of praise are even more profound.
Were it not for the resiliency of Rojas, Seventh Day Slumber’s story might be far different. In the early days, he knew his band needed a way to build awareness and name recognition, so he started his own label, signed his own band, and managed to get a single added on just two radio stations. Undeterred, Rojas launched a radio tour, wound up in the top ten, booked 30 shows, and got a distribution deal. The band’s first independent release, “Picking up the Pieces”, sold 40,000 units out of the gate and word of this scrappy Christian rock band was getting around.
By 2005, Tooth and Nail Records came calling with an offer to sign the band to BEC, and since then Seventh Day Slumber has not only found chart success and a string of top ten singles, they’ve seen the power of music and the gospel to change lives. “The stories we hear are amazing,” says Rojas. “Emails that say, ‘I was on the verge of pulling the trigger, and I heard your song on the radio, and it gave me hope, and I put the gun down.’ It’s just crazy to me, that a guy once filled with so much pain and hurt could write songs that touch people’s lives and make them feel like they can go on.”
Rojas’s musical beginnings were fostered in that context of pain and hurt. His abusive father had left and his family was poor. When he was 12 his mother bought him a spindly copycat B.C. Rich guitar from the Sears & Roebuck catalog. “I thought it was the coolest thing ever. She got me an amp for twenty dollars at a pawn shop. It was basically four pieces of wood and a speaker in the middle. It didn’t have distortion, so I had to crank it all the way up and make my own distortion.”
Rojas learned six Metallica songs and was ready to start his own band, even as his life was crumbling. As a teenager he was a drug addict and a convicted felon. He started writing songs to help him cope with the anguish in his heart. “If I was depressed, I’d write songs about it, and they were really depressing songs. If I was in pain, hurting, struggling, that’s what you got out of me.” Before he found Christ, those songs were devoid of hope and offered no solutions. Today, Rojas knows the answer. It’s telling that the band’s recent boxed set compilation was entitled “A Decade of Hope”. As Rojas puts it, “All the songs I had written prior to becoming a Christian could be called ‘A Decade of Pain’. Now, I still write about hurting and how I make mistakes, but I know that God has taken us from nothing and given us hope and life.”
A particularly poignant confessional song, One Mistake, is a prime example of the band’s willingness to share their faults so that others might know victory. Rojas is a family man now, with a wife and three sons and the associated responsibilities. One night, he slipped. He let his eyes stray too long on a computer screen. “I looked at something I shouldn’t have looked at that night, and I literally felt sick to my stomach. Here I am, lead singer of a Christian rock band, a lot of people look up to me. I felt like I had just made a huge mistake. I could have hidden it, but I know you cannot hide from God.
“I woke my wife up, and told her what happened. She saw how distraught I was. She was amazing, encouraging me that tomorrow’s a new day, a chance to start over, and reassuring me that she loves me. I went to my studio and sat with an acoustic guitar, and started crying. I felt like I had let God down, let my wife and kids down.
“I started writing this song, questioning why God would want to stay with me. I struggle with this lie of myself telling me God’s done with me, and the truth is He will never leave me.” As the song’s triumphant bridge declares, “I’m not too far away / Still covered by your grace / And You came to take away my shame / I’m not one mistake away!”
Such openness about the struggle with sin resonates with listeners, particularly in a musical landscape that tends to hide from difficult issues. Seventh Day Slumber fans love to sing along with their music, perhaps because it’s so meaningful to them, and, as Rojas promises, “’Anthem of Angels’ has so many songs you can sing along to. You’ll hear catchy melodies and hooks and big riffs. From beginning to end, it’s a full rock worship experience.”
Maybe that’s what Rojas was picturing all along: a concert. A sea of people, joining their voices together in an anthem of praise, forming a beautiful union with the anthems of the angels, proclaiming not just doubt and struggle and fear but hope in a God of grace who will never leave us. That’s an anthem we’ll all want to sing.
Seventh Day Slumber frontman Joseph Rojas has an image in his mind. You might even call it a vision. Angels and saints are in Heaven, surrounding the throne of God, singing anthems of praise. At the same time, here on Earth, praises ascend skyward. They are the anthems of the imperfect children of God, expressions of hope from a place much darker than Heaven, songs of honesty and victory.
And in Rojas’s vision, they’re set to pounding drums and scorching guitars. Rojas calls “The Anthem of Angels”, the band’s eighth release on BEC Recordings, “one of the most honest records we’ve made. We’ve opened ourselves up more, and been vulnerable. On this record, we pull no punches.”
Honesty and candor have been trademarks of Rojas’s path from the depths of a cocaine-fueled suicide attempt through miraculous salvation in the back of an ambulance to the top of the Christian music charts. Seventh Day Slumber has long been heralded as a band that refuses to sugar-coat the struggles of real life. As the band has matured over the last 15 years, they’ve faced newfound challenges head on, and today their perspective and relevancy are as strong as ever, and their anthems of praise are even more profound.
Were it not for the resiliency of Rojas, Seventh Day Slumber’s story might be far different. In the early days, he knew his band needed a way to build awareness and name recognition, so he started his own label, signed his own band, and managed to get a single added on just two radio stations. Undeterred, Rojas launched a radio tour, wound up in the top ten, booked 30 shows, and got a distribution deal. The band’s first independent release, “Picking up the Pieces”, sold 40,000 units out of the gate and word of this scrappy Christian rock band was getting around.
By 2005, Tooth and Nail Records came calling with an offer to sign the band to BEC, and since then Seventh Day Slumber has not only found chart success and a string of top ten singles, they’ve seen the power of music and the gospel to change lives. “The stories we hear are amazing,” says Rojas. “Emails that say, ‘I was on the verge of pulling the trigger, and I heard your song on the radio, and it gave me hope, and I put the gun down.’ It’s just crazy to me, that a guy once filled with so much pain and hurt could write songs that touch people’s lives and make them feel like they can go on.”
Rojas’s musical beginnings were fostered in that context of pain and hurt. His abusive father had left and his family was poor. When he was 12 his mother bought him a spindly copycat B.C. Rich guitar from the Sears & Roebuck catalog. “I thought it was the coolest thing ever. She got me an amp for twenty dollars at a pawn shop. It was basically four pieces of wood and a speaker in the middle. It didn’t have distortion, so I had to crank it all the way up and make my own distortion.”
Rojas learned six Metallica songs and was ready to start his own band, even as his life was crumbling. As a teenager he was a drug addict and a convicted felon. He started writing songs to help him cope with the anguish in his heart. “If I was depressed, I’d write songs about it, and they were really depressing songs. If I was in pain, hurting, struggling, that’s what you got out of me.” Before he found Christ, those songs were devoid of hope and offered no solutions. Today, Rojas knows the answer. It’s telling that the band’s recent boxed set compilation was entitled “A Decade of Hope”. As Rojas puts it, “All the songs I had written prior to becoming a Christian could be called ‘A Decade of Pain’. Now, I still write about hurting and how I make mistakes, but I know that God has taken us from nothing and given us hope and life.”
A particularly poignant confessional song, One Mistake, is a prime example of the band’s willingness to share their faults so that others might know victory. Rojas is a family man now, with a wife and three sons and the associated responsibilities. One night, he slipped. He let his eyes stray too long on a computer screen. “I looked at something I shouldn’t have looked at that night, and I literally felt sick to my stomach. Here I am, lead singer of a Christian rock band, a lot of people look up to me. I felt like I had just made a huge mistake. I could have hidden it, but I know you cannot hide from God.
“I woke my wife up, and told her what happened. She saw how distraught I was. She was amazing, encouraging me that tomorrow’s a new day, a chance to start over, and reassuring me that she loves me. I went to my studio and sat with an acoustic guitar, and started crying. I felt like I had let God down, let my wife and kids down.
“I started writing this song, questioning why God would want to stay with me. I struggle with this lie of myself telling me God’s done with me, and the truth is He will never leave me.” As the song’s triumphant bridge declares, “I’m not too far away / Still covered by your grace / And You came to take away my shame / I’m not one mistake away!”
Such openness about the struggle with sin resonates with listeners, particularly in a musical landscape that tends to hide from difficult issues. Seventh Day Slumber fans love to sing along with their music, perhaps because it’s so meaningful to them, and, as Rojas promises, “’Anthem of Angels’ has so many songs you can sing along to. You’ll hear catchy melodies and hooks and big riffs. From beginning to end, it’s a full rock worship experience.”
Maybe that’s what Rojas was picturing all along: a concert. A sea of people, joining their voices together in an anthem of praise, forming a beautiful union with the anthems of the angels, proclaiming not just doubt and struggle and fear but hope in a God of grace who will never leave us. That’s an anthem we’ll all want to sing.
Tom Golly
BIO:
Christian singer/songwriter Tom Golly didn’t always have a voice for Christ. Even as a young man growing up in Long Island NY, Tom struggled with a sense that something was missing and didn't know where to even begin looking for it.
In 2009 after coming to know Christ, Tom began doing standup comedy at a Long Island Christian coffee house, creating quite a buzz . While he found some success and enjoyed it he felt it placed heavily on his heart and soul one night as they played his favorite song on the PA as he walked up to do his set that he should be singing and not telling jokes. A series of events that followed only the next 2 days Tom felt it was God saying “I WANT YOU TO SING!” As Tom answered the call and began singing was finally aware of the something bigger he had been seeking his whole life, God. God met Tom where he was and fully showed Himself for the first time; all those years of searching were over, Tom finally knew what REAL love was, and it didn't come from a person; he was Loved and valued by God.
Since that day, Tom has immersed himself in music. Starting Reason 4:13 with his wife in 2010, he performed at many churches and led worship allover Long Island, NY. As Reason 4:13 grew, Tom felt called to minister in a larger way, and in August of 2015, moved his family to Nashville.
Since the move Tom has been heavily involved in his local church Mt. View Church in Antioch TN where he serves as worship leader & Audio engineer. In 2016 He released his debut EP " Not Going Back " which was produced and co-written with Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw of As We Ascent, at RMS Studios.
From beginning for 2017 Tom began touring and hasn't looked back. Taking no opportunity for granted no matter how big or small, With his band he has played Youth Events, Festivals, Small Churches , Recovery meetings & even writers rounds at local Nashville coffee shops. Tom has been given the opportunity to be an opening act for For King & Country and has shared the stage with JJ Weeks, Carrolton, Zealand Worship, Chris August & Jordan Feliz.
In 2018 Tom's released a single titled " Fighting for Us " written by Dove Award Winning & Grammy Nominated songwriter Michael Farren & Krissy Nordhoff. Be on the lookout for new music later due to be released in late 2018!
Christian singer/songwriter Tom Golly didn’t always have a voice for Christ. Even as a young man growing up in Long Island NY, Tom struggled with a sense that something was missing and didn't know where to even begin looking for it.
In 2009 after coming to know Christ, Tom began doing standup comedy at a Long Island Christian coffee house, creating quite a buzz . While he found some success and enjoyed it he felt it placed heavily on his heart and soul one night as they played his favorite song on the PA as he walked up to do his set that he should be singing and not telling jokes. A series of events that followed only the next 2 days Tom felt it was God saying “I WANT YOU TO SING!” As Tom answered the call and began singing was finally aware of the something bigger he had been seeking his whole life, God. God met Tom where he was and fully showed Himself for the first time; all those years of searching were over, Tom finally knew what REAL love was, and it didn't come from a person; he was Loved and valued by God.
Since that day, Tom has immersed himself in music. Starting Reason 4:13 with his wife in 2010, he performed at many churches and led worship allover Long Island, NY. As Reason 4:13 grew, Tom felt called to minister in a larger way, and in August of 2015, moved his family to Nashville.
Since the move Tom has been heavily involved in his local church Mt. View Church in Antioch TN where he serves as worship leader & Audio engineer. In 2016 He released his debut EP " Not Going Back " which was produced and co-written with Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw of As We Ascent, at RMS Studios.
From beginning for 2017 Tom began touring and hasn't looked back. Taking no opportunity for granted no matter how big or small, With his band he has played Youth Events, Festivals, Small Churches , Recovery meetings & even writers rounds at local Nashville coffee shops. Tom has been given the opportunity to be an opening act for For King & Country and has shared the stage with JJ Weeks, Carrolton, Zealand Worship, Chris August & Jordan Feliz.
In 2018 Tom's released a single titled " Fighting for Us " written by Dove Award Winning & Grammy Nominated songwriter Michael Farren & Krissy Nordhoff. Be on the lookout for new music later due to be released in late 2018!
Quality Gospel
Quality Gospel (formerly Mad Music Inc) is a St. Louis based artist development company created by St. Louis natives Mark Ant (Mark Davis), Barney Morgan (Lil Thee) and Kansas native Mervyn E. Hammond III (Broken Vessel Music). Mixing, Christian rap, urban gospel and contemporary Christian syles; Quality Gospel desires to actively cross racial, denominational and cultural lines to truly connect with any and all people.
All three men are active in ministry in their home churches, as well as various churches in their community. They share a common heart to model biblically defined unity, connect with other artists, build relationships and work together to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.
All three men are active in ministry in their home churches, as well as various churches in their community. They share a common heart to model biblically defined unity, connect with other artists, build relationships and work together to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.
New Kings
NewKings’ origins are simply inspirational. The four men came together over a three-year time frame with a compelling draw towards making uniquely composed, empowering music that shares a message of the love of God. Challenging the status quo within the mainstream Christian music industry, the band focuses on their progressive soul-filled melodies and spirit-charged vocals to comprise an earthy, warm, and uniquely rich, sound.
NewKings’ resume continues to build as they have shared the stage with acts such as major Christian recording artists, Shane & Shane, Andy Mineo, and Chris August, while also reaching across musical genres to co-produce the opening track to their first studio album “Rise Up” with Christian hip-hop artist, Dre Murray. NewKings is currently booking events across the country and have appeared multiple times on KTUL ABC 8’s “Good Day Tulsa” and were a special guest artist for the 2017 Boy Scout Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.
As NewKings looks forward, the band is set to perform spirit shaking music from their debut album, “Rise Up,” to the masses. Creatively developing and sharing their music along the way, NewKings hopes to inspire others with the message within their music. The band’s Oklahoma-based charm and charisma is evident throughout their style and musical composition. Within their pursuit of sharing their music with others, there is one thing clearly evident with these Heartland musical pioneers: their faith in God. NewKings will continue to drive forward sharing their faith, through the gifts God has given them.
NewKings’ resume continues to build as they have shared the stage with acts such as major Christian recording artists, Shane & Shane, Andy Mineo, and Chris August, while also reaching across musical genres to co-produce the opening track to their first studio album “Rise Up” with Christian hip-hop artist, Dre Murray. NewKings is currently booking events across the country and have appeared multiple times on KTUL ABC 8’s “Good Day Tulsa” and were a special guest artist for the 2017 Boy Scout Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.
As NewKings looks forward, the band is set to perform spirit shaking music from their debut album, “Rise Up,” to the masses. Creatively developing and sharing their music along the way, NewKings hopes to inspire others with the message within their music. The band’s Oklahoma-based charm and charisma is evident throughout their style and musical composition. Within their pursuit of sharing their music with others, there is one thing clearly evident with these Heartland musical pioneers: their faith in God. NewKings will continue to drive forward sharing their faith, through the gifts God has given them.
Josiah DeRoos
Bio:
My name is Josiah DeRoos, I’m currently working as the Youth Director and one of the worship leaders for Summit Community Church in Grantville, PA. Music has been a passion of mine since I was about 18, and I am a self-taught singer and guitar player! On top of playing and singing, I enjoy writing and producing my own music! In 2015 I released my first EP called Hold to Grace, and I’m currently working on my worship album called Bound by Wonder. Music has had a big impact on my life, and I strive to use music to glorify God and encourage people to draw closer to Him!
My name is Josiah DeRoos, I’m currently working as the Youth Director and one of the worship leaders for Summit Community Church in Grantville, PA. Music has been a passion of mine since I was about 18, and I am a self-taught singer and guitar player! On top of playing and singing, I enjoy writing and producing my own music! In 2015 I released my first EP called Hold to Grace, and I’m currently working on my worship album called Bound by Wonder. Music has had a big impact on my life, and I strive to use music to glorify God and encourage people to draw closer to Him!
Joe Miller
Joe Miller is a Christian singer and songwriter. Joe is as passionate about creating original music as he is
about making sure the lyrics of his songs convey the many different aspects of a gospel-centered life. His
concerts bring the two together as an offering of worship for his Savior.
Joe claims a broad range of musical influences. He is constantly observing and learning from artists
across many genres and generations. His current project Dead Man Walking provides a glimpse into his
own personal story of redemption.
The title track kicks off the EP with musical phrasing reminiscent of A Perfect Circle and lyrics that pack a
punch - driving straight to the heart of the need in every man. The themes of grace and redemption
weave their way through the entire project to end with Judgment Day - a song about taking a personal
inventory and trusting God’s grace even when we don’t like what we see in the mirror at the end of the
day.
There is not a lot of “fluff” to be found in his music. Joe is passionate about many things - his pursuit of
musical excellence, only singing songs he can “own”, and providing a great musical experience for his
audience. His songs tell the story of the good news of the gospel. They are full of the grace, mercy, and
redemption that only Jesus can provide. When given an opportunity, Joe shares his personal testimony
of how Jesus changed his life - making it clear his purpose on stage is driven by his love for the Lord.
about making sure the lyrics of his songs convey the many different aspects of a gospel-centered life. His
concerts bring the two together as an offering of worship for his Savior.
Joe claims a broad range of musical influences. He is constantly observing and learning from artists
across many genres and generations. His current project Dead Man Walking provides a glimpse into his
own personal story of redemption.
The title track kicks off the EP with musical phrasing reminiscent of A Perfect Circle and lyrics that pack a
punch - driving straight to the heart of the need in every man. The themes of grace and redemption
weave their way through the entire project to end with Judgment Day - a song about taking a personal
inventory and trusting God’s grace even when we don’t like what we see in the mirror at the end of the
day.
There is not a lot of “fluff” to be found in his music. Joe is passionate about many things - his pursuit of
musical excellence, only singing songs he can “own”, and providing a great musical experience for his
audience. His songs tell the story of the good news of the gospel. They are full of the grace, mercy, and
redemption that only Jesus can provide. When given an opportunity, Joe shares his personal testimony
of how Jesus changed his life - making it clear his purpose on stage is driven by his love for the Lord.
Sackcloth & Ashes
Through backgrounds of tragedy and abuse, Sackcloth & Ashes brings a high-energy, worshipful message to the stage. Their blend of powerful lyrics, upbeat music and a fun environment for all ages makes them an exciting music ministry. Sackcloth & Ashes' message of hope, life and victory over any and all circumstances that audiences face is crucial to them as well as the prayer that lives are transformed as a result.
Back Roads Bluegrass - Featuring Frank Ray
Back Roads Bluegrass
A recently formed Bluegrass band singing Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel based out of Southeast Missouri.
Bios of the Group:
Dan Stokely, Pevely, MO (Guitar and Vocals)
Dan was born and raised in a small farming community in southeast Missouri. He grew up listening to his mom play guitar and sing classic country music and knew he wanted to do the same thing. He started singing when was 3 years old and finally found the patience to sit down and learn to play the guitar when he was 16. When he was 16, Dan also listened to his first bluegrass album and fell in love with the sound of traditional and gospel bluegrass. After high school, Dan spent some time in Nashville pursuing music but then decided to go to college to become a Chemical Engineer and took some time off from music. He started going to bluegrass festivals and sitting in on bluegrass jams about 7 years ago. Some of Dan’s musical influences are: Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Blue Highway, IIIrd Tyme Out, Hank Williams, George Jones just to name a few, Dan became a Christian at a very young age and reflects that in many of the songs that he sings. He joined the Cedar Hill Bluegrass band in 2015 and is the newest member of that group.
Jim Randolph, Arcadia, MO (Dobro and Vocals) Jim Randolph is the 'Dobro' player in the band. Jim lived in the Arcadia Valley as a child and moved back after retiring from Chrysler. Jim, along with his wife Sharon founded the Open Range band. Jim has also played with the bands Barely Here, Midnight Flight and The Barry Jones Family. Jim is a born again Christian and loves God with all his heart. Jim’s musical influences are: Tom T. Hall and Josh Graves.
Lori Melton, De Soto, MO (Vocals) Raised in the foothills of eastern Kentucky; Lori has been singing since she was 3 and writing Christian songs since she was 12. Her father is a Pastor/Minister and utilized their family’s musical talents while singing in local churches and radio stations as The Riley Family. In 2000, she joined a Country/Bluegrass Gospel Band as lead singer; she was with this band for period of 9 years. During this tenure, her band released a song on video to Gospel Music Television called “Mama’s Garden” which was produced by Capitol Enterprises on their Sugar Creek label. Her first commercial CD was recorded at Hilltop Studios in Nashville, TN; and contained 6 songs that she wrote. She later cut two more gospel CD’s. Lori is very strong in her faith; she has been a Christian since the age of 12. A few of her musical influences are: Allison Krauss, Vince Gill, The Isaacs, Bobby Osbourne, and Dailey & Vincent. In her spare time, she enjoys singing backup for other artists. Mike Horn, Pevely, MO (Upright Bass – Vocals) Mike was raised in the small town of Bloomsdale Missouri where he was always surrounded by music that stemmed from both parents and many family members. Raised on country and gospel music, he periodically traveled to Nashville in pursuit of his passion. Mike formed his first band at 18 and continued his family tradition. His music has given him the opportunity to front shows for many Nashville talents at festivals and county fair's. Mike plays rhythm guitar, bass, lead vocals and harmonies. He says that, “Music has made him who he is and is very thankful for God and many great people that have come into his life throughout his musical journey ". Mikes Musical influences are: Daryl Singletary, Joe Diffie, Jimmy Fortune, George Jones, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Garth Brooks.
Steven Thomas, High Ridge, MO (Banjo) Steven, the newest member of Back Roads Bluegrass, was born in St. Louis and moved to the High Ridge area when he was three years old. At 13 years old, he learned how to play the banjo; He has played in several bands such as: Bill Jones and the Bluegrass Travelers (2 years), Paul Tinnon and The Clearwater Grass, Breakaway and The Twin Rivers Band (7 years). His musical influences are: Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe; his favorite groups are: Flatt and Scruggs, The Bluegrass Album Band, JD Crowe and the New South and Jimmy Martin. Steven loves playing old traditional bluegrass and gospel songs from years past to keep them alive.
A recently formed Bluegrass band singing Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel based out of Southeast Missouri.
Bios of the Group:
Dan Stokely, Pevely, MO (Guitar and Vocals)
Dan was born and raised in a small farming community in southeast Missouri. He grew up listening to his mom play guitar and sing classic country music and knew he wanted to do the same thing. He started singing when was 3 years old and finally found the patience to sit down and learn to play the guitar when he was 16. When he was 16, Dan also listened to his first bluegrass album and fell in love with the sound of traditional and gospel bluegrass. After high school, Dan spent some time in Nashville pursuing music but then decided to go to college to become a Chemical Engineer and took some time off from music. He started going to bluegrass festivals and sitting in on bluegrass jams about 7 years ago. Some of Dan’s musical influences are: Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Blue Highway, IIIrd Tyme Out, Hank Williams, George Jones just to name a few, Dan became a Christian at a very young age and reflects that in many of the songs that he sings. He joined the Cedar Hill Bluegrass band in 2015 and is the newest member of that group.
Jim Randolph, Arcadia, MO (Dobro and Vocals) Jim Randolph is the 'Dobro' player in the band. Jim lived in the Arcadia Valley as a child and moved back after retiring from Chrysler. Jim, along with his wife Sharon founded the Open Range band. Jim has also played with the bands Barely Here, Midnight Flight and The Barry Jones Family. Jim is a born again Christian and loves God with all his heart. Jim’s musical influences are: Tom T. Hall and Josh Graves.
Lori Melton, De Soto, MO (Vocals) Raised in the foothills of eastern Kentucky; Lori has been singing since she was 3 and writing Christian songs since she was 12. Her father is a Pastor/Minister and utilized their family’s musical talents while singing in local churches and radio stations as The Riley Family. In 2000, she joined a Country/Bluegrass Gospel Band as lead singer; she was with this band for period of 9 years. During this tenure, her band released a song on video to Gospel Music Television called “Mama’s Garden” which was produced by Capitol Enterprises on their Sugar Creek label. Her first commercial CD was recorded at Hilltop Studios in Nashville, TN; and contained 6 songs that she wrote. She later cut two more gospel CD’s. Lori is very strong in her faith; she has been a Christian since the age of 12. A few of her musical influences are: Allison Krauss, Vince Gill, The Isaacs, Bobby Osbourne, and Dailey & Vincent. In her spare time, she enjoys singing backup for other artists. Mike Horn, Pevely, MO (Upright Bass – Vocals) Mike was raised in the small town of Bloomsdale Missouri where he was always surrounded by music that stemmed from both parents and many family members. Raised on country and gospel music, he periodically traveled to Nashville in pursuit of his passion. Mike formed his first band at 18 and continued his family tradition. His music has given him the opportunity to front shows for many Nashville talents at festivals and county fair's. Mike plays rhythm guitar, bass, lead vocals and harmonies. He says that, “Music has made him who he is and is very thankful for God and many great people that have come into his life throughout his musical journey ". Mikes Musical influences are: Daryl Singletary, Joe Diffie, Jimmy Fortune, George Jones, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Garth Brooks.
Steven Thomas, High Ridge, MO (Banjo) Steven, the newest member of Back Roads Bluegrass, was born in St. Louis and moved to the High Ridge area when he was three years old. At 13 years old, he learned how to play the banjo; He has played in several bands such as: Bill Jones and the Bluegrass Travelers (2 years), Paul Tinnon and The Clearwater Grass, Breakaway and The Twin Rivers Band (7 years). His musical influences are: Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe; his favorite groups are: Flatt and Scruggs, The Bluegrass Album Band, JD Crowe and the New South and Jimmy Martin. Steven loves playing old traditional bluegrass and gospel songs from years past to keep them alive.
Frank Ray's Bio
Update:
Frank Ray has been selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Traditional Country Music Association. on Aug. 27th of this year (2018).
Frank Ray has been selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Traditional Country Music Association. on Aug. 27th of this year (2018).
Cedar Hill was birthed in 1967 when Frank Ray along with his uncle began playing local shows in the Ozarks along with 4 others that included twin fiddles. As their popularity grew, Frank's uncle dropped out but Frank continued on with the group and was inducted into the "National Traditional Country Music Assn. Hall of Fame in 2008. The first song to win Song of the Year and Song Writer of the year for Frank was one of his compositions called, "False Hearted Love" in 1976, followed by several others. Though many personnel changes have taken place over the years, Cedar Hill has stayed true to the Ozarks roots and the bluesy, emotional brand of bluegrass music that has been Frank's heart. The group has been the recipients of numerous awards over the years and are known for the original, emotive brand of song and hard driving bluegrass of tradition that is largely written by Frank Ray or friends. Rarely do they record cover songs considering it important to contribute to the music they love. They have made their mark with a number of songs, firmly establishing Cedar Hill on the National and International stage. As is often said of their music, "it is the real deal". According to some programmers, their song, "Pearl", a personal story of a friend of Frank's, has been the most requested bluegrass song on the National XM/Sirius radio program, "Bluegrass Junction" and other stations for over 10 years. The current line up of talented musicians, Frank Ray mandolin and vocals, Jim Bunch Banjo and vocals, Pete Brown fiddle and vocals, Patti LaFleur bass and vocals, and Dan Stokeley guitar and vocals, is perhaps the most cohesive
group Cedar Hill has ever brought together, allowing them a freedom that causes their music to flow with an ease and a joy that is clearly evident when watching their performance. It is that same easy going, cohesiveness that also allows Frank to make use of his natural flowing Ozark humor, to the point that every now n then some folks will ask if they have any of Frank's humorous stories recorded. The fun and smiles this band exhibits on stage transports you to a favorite place and time as you enjoy one of the best musical entertainment experiences your apt to find. The audience not only gets caught up in the emotion of the music with tears or laughter, but become their friends. Don't miss an opportunity to join Cedar Hill for some music that will stir your emotions, cause you to tap your toe, smile a lot, and leave knowing you have made some new Ozark friends that are the same whether they are playing in their native Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas, in The Performing Arts Centers of London, England, or the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
group Cedar Hill has ever brought together, allowing them a freedom that causes their music to flow with an ease and a joy that is clearly evident when watching their performance. It is that same easy going, cohesiveness that also allows Frank to make use of his natural flowing Ozark humor, to the point that every now n then some folks will ask if they have any of Frank's humorous stories recorded. The fun and smiles this band exhibits on stage transports you to a favorite place and time as you enjoy one of the best musical entertainment experiences your apt to find. The audience not only gets caught up in the emotion of the music with tears or laughter, but become their friends. Don't miss an opportunity to join Cedar Hill for some music that will stir your emotions, cause you to tap your toe, smile a lot, and leave knowing you have made some new Ozark friends that are the same whether they are playing in their native Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas, in The Performing Arts Centers of London, England, or the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.