Sharing the Stage
Through the years, our band had the opportunity and privilege to share the stage with a number of respected artist who shared the same goal and convictions as we did in relation to expressing their faith and love for family and friends. Here are a few of theindividuals we shared an evening with along Legacy Road.
Wayne Watson
Wayne Watson is wearing this season of his creative life with the ease of a favorite well-worn leather jacket—relaxed and comfortable. The man whose voice and songs helped define an entire genre of Christian music throughout the ‘80’s and ‘90’s is re-connecting with his music with a new passion seemingly born at the intersection of age and wisdom.
The songwriter known for his remarkable depth and relevancy has just brushed past the milestone marker of half a century—most of it shared intimately on the trail with God and his music. Much of the journey has been chronicled within the library of songs contained on more than two dozen album projects since his memorable breakthrough album Working In The Final Hour caught the imagination of an entire generation of Christian music listeners and radio with its’ release in 1980. To say his vocal styling and lyrics of open, honest communication of God’s presence in every day life circumstances helped lay the foundation on which today’s contemporary Christian music is built would in no way be an overstatement.
Wayne Watson’s connection with his audience has to date produced a history of 23 #1 singles at Christian radio—including Friend Of A Wounded Heart, When God’s People Pray, Almighty, Be In Her Eyes, Watercolour Ponies, More Of You, Another Time, Another Place, and Home Free (which became the most played song at Christian radio in 1991).
His litany of career credits include a dozen Dove Awards wins –including those for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1989, Song of The Year in that same year (Friend Of A Wounded Heart), Pop Contemporary Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of The Year (1988) with Watercolour Ponies, and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year (1992) with Home Free. He has twice been nominated for the Grammy Award—both for his performance of Watercolour Ponies (1987), and for Best Pop Gospel Album in 1992 with his stunning A Beautiful Place project.
In the 90’s Wayne Watson became one of the first major Christian artists to attract mainstream attention. He gave a groundbreaking emotionally charged performance of “Another Place, Another Time” with fellow artist Sandi Patty on NBC-TV’s Tonight Show—an event that was deemed a defining moment in Christian music’s move to wider audiences. In the late 90’s, his inspirational hit For Such A Time As This became a centerpiece theme of CBS-TV’s then highly rated series Touched By An Angel.
Picking up a prolific pen and guitar these days, Wayne Watson is poised to write a whole new chapter of his remarkable career. “I was just thinking to myself the other day, ‘you know at 50 years old men are presidents of countries, CEO’s of big corporations—they run businesses and are looking forward to retiring.’ If anything these last few years have refreshed me and prepared me for what’s next. I’m definitely opening my heart to new opportunities. I’m wide open to going anywhere in the world to do what I do and to try to touch people in the process.”
His life is a remarkable testimony of a man not interested in resting on past laurels.
A native of Wisner, Louisiana, Wayne seemed destined for a mission from an early age.
“I grew up in church—in a small town of 1,200-1,500 people. My mother was the organist and my dad was a deacon—and church was the center of my world. I remember walking the aisle—you know they’d have an invitation to come forward and either accept Christ or re-dedicate your life—and I did that quite a few times!
I remember walking forward and telling the pastor, ‘I don’t know why I’m coming down here but I feel that God wants to do something special with my life and I don’t know what it is—but please pray for me that I’ll know.’ I didn’t feel I was being called to be a pastor and I didn’t want to box Him in or put God in a traditional definition of what it might look like to be ‘used.’ I didn’t even know if it was music or not at that point in my life.”
At this point in his life, Wayne has no doubts of his calling. After several years of dedicating his gifting to his role as musical director for a major church in Houston, Wayne is now re-focusing and re-opening the mines of his creativity with a fresh rush of enthusiasm towards a full time re-commitment to his career as an artist and songwriter.
“Someone asked me in an interview lately if my songs were ‘pearls from deep within’ or ‘diamonds dug from the soil of life’—it was a great question that really got me thinking. In the past I didn’t dig deep enough to find some of those gems that might be there from a lifetime of experience, and years of walking with God—through seasons when He’s seemed sometimes near, sometimes far away. I’m just now at this season in life beginning to tap into some of the real potential depth of my writing—and that’s very encouraging to me.”
Moving forward to what God has next is a constant theme in his conversations these days. When asked about a retrospect of his first twenty-five years of influence that produced hits songs and awards, he feels his greatest accomplishment might have been less tangible. .
“I think if I had any accomplishment for my generation I hopefully influenced Christian songwriters to be very transparent and not be hesitant to writing about things that are going on in their life—good and bad. I always tried to find a way to artistically shape these things so they could be listened to by others who may be going through the same kind of challenges—and hopefully the music would be an encouragement. That’s the challenge as a writer. To find a way to paint pictures that might be intrinsically sad and depressing to some degree—and introduce God’s hope into the mix with the promise of a good end coming—even if we can’t yet see it.”
Wayne admits the journey has been constant in the learning process. “As a parent raising my boys, I remember specific occasions when they’d throw little fits and I’d just wait ‘em out patiently rather than try to intrude and shut them down. God’s done this for me many times in my life. My last album had a song on it called Grace and I realize if any thread has been consistent through the last four or five years of my life it’s been my awareness of the depth of God’s grace.”
What’s ahead in this latest season of life for Wayne Watson is about to unfold for listeners. “There’ll be worshipful music to come. From my experiences over the past two or three years I’m learning finally in my life what it truly means to worship God through my music. There’ll be personal insight type issue songs as well--songs of personal revelation that I hope will reach out to others.”
It addition to the promise of new music, there’s a return to national touring, and a recent alliance as a major spokesperson for Compassion International in their work in sponsorship of the world’s neediest children.
For Wayne Watson it’s like a warm ‘welcome home.’ “You go through your youth thinking ‘this is just going to go on and on—then you blink your eyes and it’s twenty-five years later. I’m propelled now by the knowledge that life is precious and that God has ordained a certain number of days for me to serve Him. I wake up every day thankful and that feeling of gratitude makes me passionate to creatively serve God with my music. It’s a great time of life.”
Jessie Dixon
Jessy is proud of his many years of association and collaboration with his friend Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel Fame. Jessy and the Jessy Dixon singers participated on Paul Simon's "Gershwin Music Award T.V. Special". You can go to www.youtube.com to view this performance with him and Yolanda Adams singing Paul Simmons composition "Gone At Last". Also in 2007 Jessy and the Dixon Singers sang "Wartime Prayers" with Paul Simon on his most recent CD " Surprise". The years Jessy spent writing, singing, and producing have enabled him to realize the abiding dream of demolishing the walls dividing cultural musical styles. Jessy found two allies who shared his dream when Bill and Gloria Gaither invited him to sing on a Bill Gaither Homecoming Video taping. "Christian music isn't just one style," says Bill Gaither, "It's a theology wrapped up in a lot of different styles, therefore the artists have become segmented. The videos have been unifying," and Jessy's appearance has had a bridge building effect.
From the very first day Jessy Dixon began to sing on a Bill Gaither Homecoming Friends video, a new marriage was completed. The response was phenomenal. Jessy Dixon is now featured by Bill Gaither on all of the Homecoming videos, and on all the Gaither and Friends Musical Concerts around the country, and abroad as a solo artist singing such songs as "It's A Highway To Heaven," Operator," "Leaving On My Mind," "Blood Bought Church," "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling," "Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary," "I Am Redeemed," etc.
"No where else in the world will you find such a delightful, pure, and honest performance, ingeniously combining brilliant vocalizing, and high energy excitement as when you listen to Jessy Dixon. When your feet begin to tap with the beat, the desire to get up and dance becomes overwhelming, and maybe a tear comes to your eyes; that is when Jessy Dixon's performance has reached it's pinnacle," (International Herald Tribune).
With over twenty recordings, four Gold, seven Grammy nominations, and a host of other awards, Jessy Dixon has been proclaimed as one of the leading practitioners of Gospel music. Just listen to Jessy sing "Gone," "Wait Until You See My Brand New Home," "Master The Tempest Is Raging," "Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary," "Destined To Win,"and "I Am Redeemed," and you too will recognize that Jessy Dixon has raised the standard for authentic vocal interpretation in christian music.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jessy sang and played his first song at the age of five. As a youngster Jessy Dixon moved to Chicago, IL, and was heard and discovered by James Cleveland who was one of the first to sing and record Jessy Dixon's compositions, "God Can Do Anything But Fail," and "My God Can Make A Way." The organizers of the fame Newport Jazz Festival heard of Jessy's talent and invited him to perform his new song, "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling," at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Jessy and The Jessy Dixon Singers sang with such fervor that the audience rewarded them with an unprecedented four encores. To Jessy's surprise Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel fame was in the audience, and enthusiastically invited Jessy to share the stage with him as lead vocalist on TV's Saturday Night Live, and to tour with Simon performing concerts in the United States, France, Europe, Canada, Scandinavia, Israel, and Japan. Jessy's affiliation with Paul Simon lasted for eight years, with the recording of three million selling albums, "Live Rhymin," "Still Crazy After all These Years”, and Wartime Prayers”.
Song writer/producer Andrae Crouch also recognized the magnitude of Jessy's talent, and produced Jessy Dixon's classic recording "It's All Right Now." This recording was a success, and was followed by "You Bring The Sun Out," and "Satisfied Live." Each of his recordings received worldwide acclaim, propelling Jessy Dixon into an "International Gospel Artist" status.
Acknowledged worldwide as gospel musics most prestigious international artist and herald by the international press as the King of Gospel. Jessy keeps a full schedule of over 295 sold out solo concerts in America and abroad, touring Europe extensively four to six months a year, performing with the Jessy Dixon Theater Group, the hit broadway show "Black Nativity," also with the famed Chicago Community Choir, The Jessy Dixon Singers, and The Chicago Gospel Singers. Each of his concerts, and recordings embrace new listeners and fans alike. The International Press proclaimed, " that as of January 1999, that Jessy Dixon has performed more concerts in Europe, and Scandinavia, than any other artist…doing more than 500 concerts in Scandinavia alone."
An ordained minister with Calvary Ministries, International, of Ft.Wayne, Indiana. Jessy has appeared on the Billy Graham Specials, TBN, the Country Gospel Special which he hosted with Dottie West, The 700 Club, The Oprah Winfrey Show, HBO Comedy Showcase, with Robert Townsand, the BBC London England, New Yorks Carnegie Hall, London's Royal Albert Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden, Euro Disney, DisneyLand, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Over Texas, The Kenyatta Conference Center in Nairobi Kenya, Songs of The Seasons in Calcutta India, concerts halls in Romania, New Zealand, GreenBelt Festival in London England, Israel, Poland, Wales, Alaska, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Japan, East and West Germany, France, Berlin, Australia, the Carribean Island, Belgium, Spain, Finland, and Switzerland. "
Jessy has a rare and joyous musical gift. I have loved gospel music and during the years I have been associated with Jessy-my appreciation of the gospel has grown."
Paul Simon
"There's a element in Jessy's music that can't be mistaken," says Diana Ross, "That element is love, and wow do I feel it."
" I've heard Jessy Dixon sing many times and in all of gospel music, Jessy Dixon is my favorite-Jessy Dixon has the gospel soul."
Bette Midler
" I have traveled with Jessy Dixon for the past 10 years and never have I been with an artist with more heart. He is the real thing."
Bill Gaither
"Jessy's music is just like him, beautiful."
Natalie Cole
“I am a big , big, big fan” says Stevie Wonder.
Rosie Grier
Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier (born July 14, 1932 in Cuthbert, Georgia) is an American actor, singer, Christian minister, and former professional American football player. He was a noteworthy college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary list of 100 most influential student athletes. As a professional player, Grier was a member of the original Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams and played in the Pro Bowl twice.
After Grier's professional sports career he worked as a bodyguard for Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and was guarding the senator's wife, Ethel Kennedy, during the Robert F. Kennedy assassination. Although unable to prevent that killing, Grier took control of the gun and subdued the shooter, Sirhan Sirhan.
Grier's other activities have been colorful and varied. He hosted his own Los Angeles television show and made approximately 70 guest appearances on various shows during the 1960s and 1970s.
As a singer, Grier first released singles on the A label in 1960, and over the following twenty-five years he continued to record on various labels including Liberty, Ric, MGM and A&M.[1]
Grier is known for his serious pursuit of hobbies not traditionally associated with men such as macrame and needlepoint. He has authored several books, including Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men in 1973. Grier became an ordained Christian minister in 1983 and travels as an inspirational speaker. He founded American Neighborhood Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that serves inner city youth.
Kerry Livgren (Kansas)
Kerry Livgren was born in Topeka, Kansas the first son in a family of six. Drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences while his peers were embracing Elvis Presley. Starting with an electric guitar he built himself, Kerry focused on writing songs as he learned to play -- seeking to create songs that if nothing else, were original.
Kerry's first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri. Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who played for audience members around the area, including a young drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope.
In 1970, they formed the group, Kansas, combining the best members from their respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973. Kerry remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," Kerry propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, and over 14 million recordings sold to date.
In 1980, after becoming an evangelical Christian, Kerry Livgren released his first solo work, Seeds of Change, featuring vocalists Ronnie James Dio and David Pack of Ambrosia, Jethro Tull’s drummer Barriemore Barlow, and guest spots by friends from Kansas. Also accompanying the album was Kerry's autobiographical book of the same name. Together, they expressed the passage and resolution of Kerry's years-long spiritual journey, often the subject of his songs with Kansas. Following his departure from Kansas in 1983, Kerry recorded his second self-produced album for CBS, Timeline, in the same year. With the musicians involved in that project, he formed the band, AD. Between 1983 and 1986, the band released two albums and toured extensively.
Kerry next signed with Sparrow records and released Prime Mover in 1988, followed by his first instrumental work, One of Several Possible Musiks in 1989. Exploring a new musical direction, this confluence of orchestral and rock styles received the Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
Livgren concluded this period with his final album for Sparrow. Decade was a double CD retrospective marking ten years since his first solo recording. Featuring two complete albums, excerpts from others and previously unreleased songs, the set continues to be highly regarded among enthusiasts of his music. In 1994, Kerry moved from Atlanta back to his home town of Topeka Kansas. Once there, he initiated his production companies, Grandyzine, and record company, Numavox Records. As part of this work, he constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility on his farm, in the frame of a restored barn. This studio would serve as the nexus of his and many other musician's work through the present day.
"Though I dearly loved Georgia, it was great to be back in Kansas (the state) again. I immediately felt at home. There's something about returning to your roots that's inspiring." Composed over the period of two years, Kerry's next album clearly expressed this sentiment as one his most celebrated. Entitled "When Things Get Electric," this 1995 release was also the debut album for Kerry's new label.
Over the next several years, Mr. Livgren worked on recording projects with other artists, before returning to solo work in 1997. That year saw the release of his first soundtrack, for the third SONY's Mind's Eye computer animation feature, comprising the work of more than 100 computer artists.
Numavox released Prime Mover II in the spring of 1998, a complete re-recording of Livgren's original 1988 album (Sparrow), plus five new tracks featuring the single "Incantos", which he described as another completely new direction, and one of his most inspired lyrics. The CD also features his first re-recording of a Kansas song. ("Fair Exchange" from Vinyl Confessions.)
His next CD was the solo effort, Collector's Sedition Volume One, released on Numavox. It featured the talents of several vocalists, including Kerry's nephew, Jake Livgren. "Jake began singing with me on a family trip to Georgia in 1992," Kerry says. "We were just goofing around in the studio but I quickly realized he had serious potential and lacked only experience. Over time my instincts have proven to be correct."
The new millennium saw the reunion of Kansas for the much anticipated release, Somewhere to Elsewhere. For this album, Kerry Livgren returned to his traditional role as the group's songwriter, lead guitarist and keyboardist. Recorded at the GrandyZine Studio, Kerry also produced the album. Many longtime fans feel it to be among the band's very best.
Hot on the heels of the Kansas release, Kerry began work on The Best of Kerry Livgren, an album celebrating 20 years since his first solo album. Both retrospective and forward-looking, it contains tracks from all his solo releases and those with his Christian band, AD. There are also 2 brand new songs and new recordings of 4 others. Each of these new versions features the original vocalists, including Warren Ham, Michael Gleason and Ronnie James Dio.
2003 brought about the reunion of one of the early versions of “Kansas”, now known as “Proto-Kaw”. Not having worked together for decades, the band re-united to record the critically acclaimed ”Before Became After”. The group signed with Inside Out Records and ”Before Became After” was released worldwide.
A year later, the band released “The Wait of Glory”, also on Inside Out Records. Unlike ”Before Became After”, this new work is composed of entirely new material, and adds Jacob Livgren as a full member of the band. In addition to the new music, the package includes a live DVD of Proto-Kaw’s appearance at the 2005 Nearfest. (www.protokaw.com)
Kerry is now resuming work on the most ambitious work of his career, entitled "Cantata: The Resurrection Lazarus." An epic, orchestral and vocal composition, it has been under development for over 20 years. The piece features a large ensemble cast, including Matthew Ward, Phil Keaggy, David Pack and Kansas drummer Phil Ehart. It is based on the Biblical story from john Chapter 11, and is still in production.
Though Kerry Livgren is known for his music, he will quickly point out that it is only one of his many pursuits. "I'm a family man, I have a role in my church, I'm running a record label, a studio, a production company, a farm, and I have more hobbies and interests than there are hours in the day." And while Kerry may have just completed more new music, the greatest is surely yet to come.
Dave Dravecky
Dave Dravecky’s story is one of hope, courage and perseverance in the midst of dark and overwhelming uncertainty. In 1988 Dave was at the top of his game and life. Not only did he have a wonderful family but he was reaching his all-star peak playing the game of his childhood dreams. His 5-1 opening day victory over the Dodgers was overshadowed later that fall by the discovery of cancer and the removal of half of the deltoid muscle in his pitching arm. For baseball fans worldwide Dave Dravecky etched his name into history on August 10, 1989. Defying all odds, after battling cancer in his pitching arm, Dave came back to pitch once again in the Major Leagues. People were on their feet cheering and anticipating the game while he stretched and warmed up. He became an inspiration not only to cancer fighters, but to all who needed hope that day.
As Dave took the mound, no one could deny the miracle that was taking place. After being told by his doctors, “Short of a miracle, you’ll never pitch again,” Dave pitched a 4-3 win for the San Francisco Giants. Sadly, Dave’s comeback was short-lived. Five days later, in Montreal, Dave threw “…the pitch that could be heard round the world.” Dave’s arm had split in two. As he tumbled to the ground, his mind filled with doubt and fear. Little did he know that the dream he had since he was a little boy, was simply a platform for his purpose to share hope with the suffering around the world.
Dave’s triumphant defeat of the cancer and his return to the game of baseball is chronicled in his award winning book, Comeback, which has sold more than 650,000 copies. After Dave’s comeback and fall from the mound, with the weakened bone, the cancer returned yet again. The arm was not going to get better at this point so Dave decided to retire from his dream, the game of baseball, in November of 1989.
Slowly the treatment and the cancer ate away Dave’s arm and simultaneously his career. Radiation treatment after radiation treatment resulted in a staph infection that placed a hole in the middle of his arm exposing bone. Finally, the arm along with Dave’s shoulder blade and left side of his collar bone had to be amputated for fear the cancer would spread and take Dave’s life. In the book, When You Can’t Comeback, written with his wife, Jan, Dave describes his loss:
“My arm caught the attention of the entire school, when, as a teenager, I pitched my first no hitter…(Later) my ability to provide for my family was not based on how smart I was or how hard I worked. It was based solely on what my arm could do on game day. When people talked with me, it was the center of conversation. ‘How’s the arm today, Dave? Is your arm ready for tonight?’ My arm was to me what hands are to a concert pianist, what feet are to a marathon runner. It’s what made me valuable, what gave me worth in the eyes of the world. Then suddenly my arm was gone.”
Dave continues to examine the impact of the amputation on his life in his book, The Worth of a Man. With the absence of his arm, Dave seemed to be stripped of his identity. He began to ask questions many men ponder. Where does my worth come from? What creates my value and identity? Is there more to me than the game of baseball? Is there more to me than my left arm? After a long search, Dave discovered his true worth could never be shaken by adversity or loss. He realized nothing that he did based on worldly success could place value on his life or create his identity. In his book, Dave offers men a new definition of worth.
Because of the overwhelming response to their story and their desire to walk along side others who suffer, Dave and Jan founded Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Draveckys realized through their own experiences that one cannot battle cancer alone, so they have created this ministry to bring hope for those who hurt.
Geoff Moore and the Distance
Moore was born in Michigan in 1961. His father played baseball for the Toledo Mud Hens, and later ran a steel fabrication plant.[1] He attended Holly Area Schools at Patterson Elementary, Holly, MI through grade six and then started attending Brandon Schools in Ortonville, MI. He began singing while he was at Taylor University living in Wengatz Hall. At the time that he became a classmate to White Heart's future lead singer, Rick Florian, when he stood in for the lead singer of his roommate's band. Newly married, he moved to Nashville soon after college.[citation needed] He was able to break into the music industry with the assistance of Michael W. Smith, when the two met in the clothing store where Moore worked.[1] He signed a publishing contract with Paragon Music, a company specialising in writing songs for others, and sang on demo recordings for extra money.[1] While with Paragon he wrote songs for fellow Christian singer and songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman.[1] Since that time they've co-written several songs together, including the title track on Chapman's 1992 Dove Award and Grammy winning release The Great Adventure.
During the mid-1980s, Moore recorded three albums released on the Power Discs label, including Where are the Other Nine?, Over the Edge and The Distance. When he was signed to Sparrow in 1987, he put together a backing band called "The Distance" to continue with his career
In 1988, Geoff Moore and the Distance released their first official album together, entitled A Place to Stand. They also recorded Foundations in 1989 for Sparrow Records. After a while, they jumped to Forefront Records and recorded Pure and Simple in 1990.
They followed in 1992 with A Friend Like U. This album would garner them their first real US Christian radio exposure with its title song. This started their most prolific period with the Grammy winning albums Ev-O-Lu-Tion in 1993 and Homerun in 1995. This album produced US Christian radio hits like "EvolutionRedefined", "Life Together" and "Home Run". The video for "Home Run" featured former Major League All Star pitcher Tim Burke. They were nominated for four Grammys.
In 1995, Benson released a compilation of hits from Moore's first solo albums titled The Beginning Years. The following year the band released a compilation of hits from Moore and the Distance. One CD of the latter contained a live performance from Rome, Georgia, also recorded for Z Music Television.
In 1997, the band released Threads, featuring a cover of The Who's "I'm Free" as its lead single. However, the following year, Moore decided to break up the band and continue solo.
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