Here is a very young and vibrant group that is about to make a big splash on the Southern Gospel scene. Not only are they a terrific sounding group, but they have their goals, plans and direction firmly planted in the right direction.
Consisting of Brian Klinger manager and Baritone, Corey Pirani Lead, Mike Fields Tenor, and Jim Achcraft Bass. All of these fine gentlemen hail from the Memphis, TN area. The name of the groups was taken from the scripture in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh to the Father, but by Me".
Formed as a quartet in 2002 they took 1st Place Group Division Winner in Southern Gospel Multi-Award Winning Promoter of The Year, Frank Arnold's, Songfest Talent Search. They also won Group Division 1st Place Regional in the Christian Artist Talent Search (C.A.T.S) Nashville TN, sponsored by Daywind Records, the Inspirational Network, and Salem Music. They have also enjoyed national television exposure through featured appearances on the Inspirational Network ( INSP ).
On October 5th, 2003, OneWay released their first original project entitled, ETERNAL. Featuring some of the most talented orchestra musicians and session players around, the music alone is simply inspiring. The songs recorded contain some of the most diverse and fresh arrangements along with some incredible songwriting.
Producer and songwriter Scott Sturtevant, (writer/arranger for numerous songs for Bellevue Baptist Church's dramatic Easter presentation, "The Passion Play", Karen Sanders, (former member of the Contemporary Christian group TRUTH), Danny Graham II, (member of an up and coming group called His Guys), and Kyla Rowland, (writer of numerous southern gospel hits) all contributed to this project. The project was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee at Ardent Studios, which is famous for it's Contemporary Christian artists on the Ardent Records label.
The group feels strongly that ETERNAL truely has something for everyone regardless of age or preference towards southern gospel, contemporary, or inspirational. "Our goal for this CD project is to point people to Jesus, plain and simple. Our message speaks clearly about the love of Christ, His sacrifice at Calvary, His resurrection, and how He's coming again. We trust it will inspire and encourage the believer to keep pressing on, yet our greatest desire is for it to lead someone who is searching for answers to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ."
As we have been doing lately, I asked them some more entertaining questions, softballs right across the middle of the plate, if you will. When asked what was your favorite action hero as a kid, Brian stated that He-man was his hero, while Jim said that he had the "man's" hero GI Joe. Corey had to think quite a while, but finally managed to come up with Yoda from the Star Wars movies. Mike took the most thought when he proclaimed Bugs Bunny as his youthful action hero.
The worst thing that they have ever done on stage was recently when during a very pious moment in a service as the altar call was being given, the Pastor asked them to softly sing something a capella. It would appear that none of them could find the same key, and the harder they tried, the worse it got. They never said if anyone got saved after that fiasco, but I'm sure that they Lord was able to work around any blunder that they may have made.
If they were to describe their sound it would be Progressive Southern Gospel, with an edge. They are striving for a younger sound, yet one that will appeal to all ages. According to their statistics, they sell more CDs to people 30 and under. We need more groups striving to get the attention of younger people to Southern Gospel music.
What direction are they going? For lack of better terminology, "low profile". They are trying not to stir up the people with what they can do, but rather letting God open the doors that He wants them to go through, and then be smart enough to walk through those doors.
They seem to have fallen into the grace of Bellevue Baptist Church where reknowned minister, Dr. Adrian Rogers is Pastor. Michael attends Bellevue, so his friendship with one of their musical arrangers made it possible for them to get some great new material for their new project, "Eternal". Michael's friend, Scott Sturtevant, wrote or co-wrote 5 of the 9 songs on the CD as well as produced the project. He was also influential in getting the great musicians from Bellevue's orchestra to play on the CD. They are very proud of this new project, and from what I have heard of it, they should be. With only one cover song on the CD, they feel that they have a fresh and dynamic album with a variety of themes.
What impact do they want to make in Southern Gospel music? It would be to strive to be more appealing to young people by striving for quality in everything they do.
If they could say anything to the Nation we live in, it would be "to give a message that is positive as we all stand for freedom". They recently made a video they are sending to the troops in Iraq, featuring their patriotic song with that positive message called "Who Will Stand". Their message to all the viewers of SoGospelNews is to "let others see Jesus in us".
This fine group can be reached at [url=http://www.onewayquartet.com]http://www.onewayquartet.com[/url]
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 01/15/2004
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Category: Feature Articles
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Great article!!! These guys are top-notch! That includes everything about them. Their sound without question is great and their hearts are even better than that. They have made themselves available and are truly seeking God's will and the Lord is using them and truly blessing! You guys are awesome!
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