Its always Noteworthy whenever a group of local musicians get together for a project. In the case of "Benefactor", you're talking about longtime "seasoned" players who offer 'Rock that Doesn't Roll'. Huh???
For a further explanation, I checked in with group leader and guitarist Rodd Wilson who founded the band with drummer Rand Alquist in the Spring of 2001. Since then the band has expanded to Ray Broullire on Bass, Dave Becker on keyboards and Scott VanCourt on vocals. Wilson talked about the beginnings of the band and why they formed.
"Rand and I started the band with the purpose of bringing to public display, the many fine Christian artists and their music that do not get any airplay or coverage from 'Club Bands' due to the content of its message. This of course is the vehicle we enthusiastically use to introduce someone who is very special to this band, to whoever is willing to listen. That person is Jesus".
People may remember Alquist and Broullire as former members of the 60's local group "Revels",while Wilson performed in the early 80's in "Young American Showcase", a professional organization from Florida that sent 8 bands a year on national tours in the high school arena. "Many of the artists we admire had come from successful recording careers in the 'secular' or mainstream music biz and had left due to the emptiness of their success. There is a void that exists in everyone that even includes the most decorated music stars that only Jesus Christ can remedy. Some of those who have allowed him to do so,have continued on in their artistry and produced some very powerful music that touches some important issues instead of sex, drugs, material things or any other hindrances that can cloud our vision while we live out our lives. Don't misunderstand me though--this is still rock music and it sounds every bit as energetic and loud as you would hear on the radio. It just points its attention to Jesus. Some of the bands that have in the past or are currently recording this type of music are Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Fono, Larry Norman, Big Tent Revival and Petra".
I asked Wilson what goals the group has planned? "Well, sometimes we feel that we're getting too old for rockin' out like this, but this is music that we grew up with and despite the prediction of our elders at the time, we didn't 'grow out of it'. We have alot of fun playing together and the artistry remains as an important element. This is not some happy, goody-goody religious music that is just a second rate concern so that someone can get preachy. It won't look and sound like any church service at all. We intend to deliver a performance of these songs in a credible manner that hopefully may result in a changed life of somebody out there. We are also modeling for our children a productive use of the musical gifts God has given to us and they are already forming their own group to connect to a whole new generation of people who need an introduction to him. With that said, alot of credit must go to the sacrifices our families have paid to support the intended purpose of 'Benefactor'.
The Band has a free concert lined up at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Kingsford June 9th at 7PM, and will also perform at the "Rods and Hogs" classic car show in Norway on July 20th.
Odds & Ends....Quiet week for noteable new releases on June 4th. Reissued titles include ABC's "The Look of Love: The Very best of" which includes 2 new tracks. 2 concert titles make their way to DVD-Audio. First up is .38 Special with "Live at Sturgis Rock" and there's also REO Speedwagon with "Live: Plus". No word on additional bonus features. Also out next Tuesday is a new CD by axe master Steve Vai,"The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1", a Collection of Film and Soundtrack contributions. This is actually the first disk of his 10 disk Box set which is only available online at Vai.com. Fellow guitar virtuoso--and tourmate on the recent G3 tour--Joe Satriani sets forth his own release "Strange Beautiful Music" on June 25th. His 8th studio release includes 14 songs with guests like King Crimsons Robert Fripp on the old Santo and Johnny cover of "Sleepwalk"....Official sources wouldn't confirm it, but they aren't denying it either: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have a new studio LP tentatively set for this Summer. The "Boss" and his E Streeters have been recording in New York and Atlanta, and doing string overdubs in Nashville. Springsteen is also using an outside producer for the first time in his career, Brendan O'Brien.....The "Mr.Deeds" soundtrack hits the streets on June 11th, and includes new Dave Matthews Band music. "Where are you going" is the first single, and is also set to appear on Matthews' forthcoming "Busted Stuff" CD....Got questions or comments about music? You can reach Steve at themusictree@hotmail.com