JOHN CATCHINGS' pride and joy shows that the cello need not be a second-fiddle. Drew Kelleher explains why...

It was the culmination of a lifetime of work and devotion to his instrument and his art. It had been a long road getting there but he was eventually detoured from the path.

In 1981, after five years in Nashville, word had filtered through the music industry about Catchings special talent. It was at this time that Michael Card came onto the scene.

"This has been a relationship that has lasted a long time, states Catchings "I have found somebody I can trust and enjoy, not just as a friend but as a brother. Michael is a well that I have been drawing from almost daily."

Another source of inspirational friendship has been John Schreiner, the producer from Sparrow who worked with Catchings on 'Joy In the Journey'.

Says Schreiner, "John is a wonderful guy, a true musical genius." He went on to point out that John was a contributing artist with 2nd Chapter of Acts on their hymns album.

'"Joy In the Journey' is a record to the church," said Catchings, "I want the cello to play a role in contemporary music.

"It is nice to think that with skill and inspiration maybe we have put things down on this album that will reach people's hearts for many years."