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radioThese are reader comments for the article 'The Wall Bros Band - Start All Over Again'
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Posted by Sylvia Sotelo in Modesto, Calif., @ 23:09 on Jun 14 2010
I still have the original Wall Bros, album. My favorite song on it is "wind on summer nights". I first heard this band on the Love station in Dallas Texas and I will listen to the album every once in a while. This album is one of my all time favorites.
I still have the original Wall Bros, album. My favorite song on it is "wind on summer nights". I first heard this band on the Love station in Dallas Texas and I will listen to the album every once in a while. This album is one of my all time favorites.
Reply by Randy Nelson in Raymore, MO. @ 22:39 on Sep 25 2010
I found Wind On Summer Nights at a site called FullCircleJesusMusic.com. A great radio program that plays all the old friends we made in the 70's.
Thanks everyone for your kind words, and thanks Lance...you're a great brother.
I found Wind On Summer Nights at a site called FullCircleJesusMusic.com. A great radio program that plays all the old friends we made in the 70's.
Thanks everyone for your kind words, and thanks Lance...you're a great brother.
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 15:56 on Jun 23 2010
Thank you for your very kind words, Sylvia. It means so much to me that folks still remember and enjoy hearing the WBB. Kraig Wall had written the music for this song and asked me to consider writing some lyrics for it. It was an attempt to write a "conversational" lyric, as if I were talking to a close friend who is struggling in their walk with Jesus and trying to encourage them to press on in faithfulness to him. The "friend" was a composite of several friends who had been struggling as young Christians and the lyric was born out of times when I would try to reach out with a word of encouragement to them. This song was originally written as a slower ballad and I remember rehearsing it that way quite a few times, although I don't think we ever performed it that way. If memory serves, I believe it was Randy Nelson, who has been known to contribute to this blog, who came up with the more up-tempo arrangement that became the recorded version that you now know. Randy is a talented musician and arranger who was a great asset to our sound and stage presentation as well as our studio work. He could frequently hear a fresh direction for a song and was often a guiding light in our arrangements. "Clouds Of Glory" is another example of Randy taking what I had written as a basic rock and roll song to a whole new level with his beautiful arrangement. God bless Randy and God bless you, Sylvia for including us in your all-time favorites! What a great honor.
Thank you for your very kind words, Sylvia. It means so much to me that folks still remember and enjoy hearing the WBB. Kraig Wall had written the music for this song and asked me to consider writing some lyrics for it. It was an attempt to write a "conversational" lyric, as if I were talking to a close friend who is struggling in their walk with Jesus and trying to encourage them to press on in faithfulness to him. The "friend" was a composite of several friends who had been struggling as young Christians and the lyric was born out of times when I would try to reach out with a word of encouragement to them. This song was originally written as a slower ballad and I remember rehearsing it that way quite a few times, although I don't think we ever performed it that way. If memory serves, I believe it was Randy Nelson, who has been known to contribute to this blog, who came up with the more up-tempo arrangement that became the recorded version that you now know. Randy is a talented musician and arranger who was a great asset to our sound and stage presentation as well as our studio work. He could frequently hear a fresh direction for a song and was often a guiding light in our arrangements. "Clouds Of Glory" is another example of Randy taking what I had written as a basic rock and roll song to a whole new level with his beautiful arrangement. God bless Randy and God bless you, Sylvia for including us in your all-time favorites! What a great honor.
Posted by Jeff Wheelwright in Morro Bay, Calif. @ 19:27 on May 31 2010
I am looking for the song "Walking on the Water, Dancing on the Waves," which I heard on country radio a few times in the early 1980s. Any help would be appreciated. If you can't get a song outa your head after 30 years, you better go find it.
I am looking for the song "Walking on the Water, Dancing on the Waves," which I heard on country radio a few times in the early 1980s. Any help would be appreciated. If you can't get a song outa your head after 30 years, you better go find it.
Reply by Jeff Wheelwright in Morro Bay, Calif. @ 19:07 on Jun 30 2010
I did manage to get the song thru the kindness of a another fan, Lance. I have it on my iTunes playlist, between Crazy (Patsy Cline) and Hallelujah (Rufus Wainwright cover of Leonard Cohen). It sounds great. Now if I could just get our choir director to let us sing it in church. But we're Episcopalians.
I did manage to get the song thru the kindness of a another fan, Lance. I have it on my iTunes playlist, between Crazy (Patsy Cline) and Hallelujah (Rufus Wainwright cover of Leonard Cohen). It sounds great. Now if I could just get our choir director to let us sing it in church. But we're Episcopalians.
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 15:38 on Jun 23 2010
As the writer of Walking On The Water, that is certainly a wonderful compliment, Jeff! I was inspired to write this song by a teaching I heard which emphasized the fact that Peter actually had the faith to step out of the boat and walk on the water, which was a miracle. Peter often gets a bad rap for losing sight of Christ, but he was stepping out in faith while the other disciples were still in the boat shaking in their boots (or sandles)! I appreciated this fresh insight and put it to a happy tune to celebrate the faith it takes to do likewise. Regarding finding this song, I hope that if you scroll up to some of the comments above you will find information that will be helpful in your search. Thanks again for your very kind words, and keep on walkin'.
As the writer of Walking On The Water, that is certainly a wonderful compliment, Jeff! I was inspired to write this song by a teaching I heard which emphasized the fact that Peter actually had the faith to step out of the boat and walk on the water, which was a miracle. Peter often gets a bad rap for losing sight of Christ, but he was stepping out in faith while the other disciples were still in the boat shaking in their boots (or sandles)! I appreciated this fresh insight and put it to a happy tune to celebrate the faith it takes to do likewise. Regarding finding this song, I hope that if you scroll up to some of the comments above you will find information that will be helpful in your search. Thanks again for your very kind words, and keep on walkin'.
Posted by bruce in cincinnati ohio @ 04:36 on May 5 2010
i got all four of their albums on cd woohoo
i got all four of their albums on cd woohoo
Reply by Woody Crosthwaite in Dayton/Springboro, Ohio @ 14:33 on Nov 1 2010
Hey Bruce! I too was a big WBB fan and wondered if you could pass on the place where we could get the WBB stuff on CD?! Thanks! Woody
Hey Bruce! I too was a big WBB fan and wondered if you could pass on the place where we could get the WBB stuff on CD?! Thanks! Woody
Reply by Hugh in Kingwood, TX @ 20:48 on Sep 17 2010
Hey Bruce, I haven't heard those fantastic songs from the Wall Bros in ages. They were such an encouragement to me back in the day. How did you come by the CDs? Can you direct me to where I could find them/download them/swap them with someone?
Hey Bruce, I haven't heard those fantastic songs from the Wall Bros in ages. They were such an encouragement to me back in the day. How did you come by the CDs? Can you direct me to where I could find them/download them/swap them with someone?
Posted by bruce hecke in bremerton, wa @ 07:33 on Apr 26 2010
Lance Demers, I did not know you lived in the same town that I do. Jan forrestor contacted me on face book and said lived in Bremerton. Why did you moved here? I never thought I would know someone from Sioux City living in the NW.
Lance Demers, I did not know you lived in the same town that I do. Jan forrestor contacted me on face book and said lived in Bremerton. Why did you moved here? I never thought I would know someone from Sioux City living in the NW.
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 15:27 on Jun 23 2010
Hello Bruce. I apologize that although your name is familiar, I don't remember how I know you! I remember Jan, so I assume you were in that circle of friends from Sioux City all those years ago. I have family here in WA and after visiting them with my wife, we fell in love with the area. After my time working with Phil Keaggy and living in Christian community for 10 years in NY, it was time to move on. We've been here since 1988 - 22 years - and still enjoy it. Again, I apologize for my lapse in memory, Bruce. I'm certain that once you jog my memory I will remember you! Take care.
Hello Bruce. I apologize that although your name is familiar, I don't remember how I know you! I remember Jan, so I assume you were in that circle of friends from Sioux City all those years ago. I have family here in WA and after visiting them with my wife, we fell in love with the area. After my time working with Phil Keaggy and living in Christian community for 10 years in NY, it was time to move on. We've been here since 1988 - 22 years - and still enjoy it. Again, I apologize for my lapse in memory, Bruce. I'm certain that once you jog my memory I will remember you! Take care.
Posted by Mark Lodi in Modesto, CA @ 03:41 on Feb 15 2010
Hey Lance DeMers, Wow, it’s great to correspond with the writer of one of my favorite Christian songs, I Am! In the past I had the opportunity to perform that song at churches, Jails and Juvenile hall (of course I could never perform it half as good as you guys).
I also transferred that song to digital. I was wondering if you could answer a few questions I’ve had on the lyrics? Some of them are hard to understand because I’m guessing that you guys used a faze shifter on Kraig’s vocals.
1. On the first stanza is it: Pride’s a good way of falling down?
2. On the chorus: is it: were you here when the world began?
3. Also on the chorus: Are you able to become a man?
4. On the second stanza is it: Lonely men have walked in vain?
I find it interesting that a lot of 70’s Christian band members have become pastors or music ministers. Alwyn Wall, Bob Ayala, Kraig Wall, Odem Fong is who I can think of right now.
So what have you been up to for the past 30 years?
Sincerely,
Mark Lodi
Hey Lance DeMers, Wow, it’s great to correspond with the writer of one of my favorite Christian songs, I Am! In the past I had the opportunity to perform that song at churches, Jails and Juvenile hall (of course I could never perform it half as good as you guys).
I also transferred that song to digital. I was wondering if you could answer a few questions I’ve had on the lyrics? Some of them are hard to understand because I’m guessing that you guys used a faze shifter on Kraig’s vocals.
1. On the first stanza is it: Pride’s a good way of falling down?
2. On the chorus: is it: were you here when the world began?
3. Also on the chorus: Are you able to become a man?
4. On the second stanza is it: Lonely men have walked in vain?
I find it interesting that a lot of 70’s Christian band members have become pastors or music ministers. Alwyn Wall, Bob Ayala, Kraig Wall, Odem Fong is who I can think of right now.
So what have you been up to for the past 30 years?
Sincerely,
Mark Lodi
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 16:32 on Mar 10 2010
Continued...Over the years I have managed to continued to write, perform and record with a number of Seattle area artists as well as serving on various church worship teams. About ten years ago I traveled to the former Soviet Union to participate in a four-day event there. I taught workshops on the arts and played drums for some worhip teams, recording 4 CD's of live music in the Russian language. That was quite a life-changing experience. I imagine my life has been like most - full of blessings as well as challenges. But God is faithful. I am so proud of our three sons. My oldest is married and he and his wife are expecting my first grandchild! He has his Associates Degree in Theology and aspires to continue his studies. He is positioning himself to help plant a church here in town at this time. My second son is a musician / writer / singer who leads worship at our church. I have the thrill of serving with him on our team which has been an incredible blessing. Our youngest son is a Freshmen in college with a mind for the sciences which he gets from his mother! He is a great guy who is the comedian in the family and keeps us all laughing. They are our treasures and we are truly blessed. I'm sure this is a very poor attempt to respond to your question, but I've tried to hit some of the highlights. Thanks again for your interest in The WWB and I Am.
Continued...Over the years I have managed to continued to write, perform and record with a number of Seattle area artists as well as serving on various church worship teams. About ten years ago I traveled to the former Soviet Union to participate in a four-day event there. I taught workshops on the arts and played drums for some worhip teams, recording 4 CD's of live music in the Russian language. That was quite a life-changing experience. I imagine my life has been like most - full of blessings as well as challenges. But God is faithful. I am so proud of our three sons. My oldest is married and he and his wife are expecting my first grandchild! He has his Associates Degree in Theology and aspires to continue his studies. He is positioning himself to help plant a church here in town at this time. My second son is a musician / writer / singer who leads worship at our church. I have the thrill of serving with him on our team which has been an incredible blessing. Our youngest son is a Freshmen in college with a mind for the sciences which he gets from his mother! He is a great guy who is the comedian in the family and keeps us all laughing. They are our treasures and we are truly blessed. I'm sure this is a very poor attempt to respond to your question, but I've tried to hit some of the highlights. Thanks again for your interest in The WWB and I Am.
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 16:29 on Mar 10 2010
Hello Mark. I so appreciate your kind words concerning "I Am." It is both humbling and encouraging to know that you thought it worthy to share as you have ministered to others. That means a lot to me. Concerning the accuracy of those lyrics, line #3 was the only one in need of correction. It actually is "Are you able to make humble man?" I had stumbled upon a double meaning with that line and decided to keep it that way. My original intent was to imply that it takes a powerful God to bring man to a place of humility. But it can also be interpreted as a reference to the power of God to create mankind. You ask a loaded question there...how does one sum up 30 years of life? Well...after leaving the WBB in '78, I moved to NY state where I drummed with the Phil Keaggy Band and others such as Paul Clark, John Fischer and Nedra Tally Ross. I spent 10 years there in Christian community where I met my wife and we had two of our three boys. In '88 we move to Bremerton, WA where our third son was born.
Hello Mark. I so appreciate your kind words concerning "I Am." It is both humbling and encouraging to know that you thought it worthy to share as you have ministered to others. That means a lot to me. Concerning the accuracy of those lyrics, line #3 was the only one in need of correction. It actually is "Are you able to make humble man?" I had stumbled upon a double meaning with that line and decided to keep it that way. My original intent was to imply that it takes a powerful God to bring man to a place of humility. But it can also be interpreted as a reference to the power of God to create mankind. You ask a loaded question there...how does one sum up 30 years of life? Well...after leaving the WBB in '78, I moved to NY state where I drummed with the Phil Keaggy Band and others such as Paul Clark, John Fischer and Nedra Tally Ross. I spent 10 years there in Christian community where I met my wife and we had two of our three boys. In '88 we move to Bremerton, WA where our third son was born.
Posted by Dennis Overpeck in Colorado @ 18:26 on Feb 8 2010
I posted my own version totally from memory of back in 1978, I saw the wall brothers in concert at Calvery temple in WPB FL. we went to Denny's for dinner afterwards. They're a great bunch of guys. I think Dennis Holt played the drums that night not sure it was a long time ago go to you tube and type in dennybooo ( yes that is 3 o's) to see I Am
I posted my own version totally from memory of back in 1978, I saw the wall brothers in concert at Calvery temple in WPB FL. we went to Denny's for dinner afterwards. They're a great bunch of guys. I think Dennis Holt played the drums that night not sure it was a long time ago go to you tube and type in dennybooo ( yes that is 3 o's) to see I Am
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 20:31 on Feb 12 2010
Well, Dennis, I am very impressed with your memory, as I wrote the lyrics to "I Am" and could not remember them all myself! By the time you met the Wall Bros. Band, I had moved to NY state and was working with Phil Keaggy and his band there. Dennis Holt is a friend and an incredible drummer. Thank you for your very fine version of the song. I really enjoyed hearing it and think you and your friend do it justice. I appreciate you putting it out there and helping to keep the interest in our music alive. God bless.
Well, Dennis, I am very impressed with your memory, as I wrote the lyrics to "I Am" and could not remember them all myself! By the time you met the Wall Bros. Band, I had moved to NY state and was working with Phil Keaggy and his band there. Dennis Holt is a friend and an incredible drummer. Thank you for your very fine version of the song. I really enjoyed hearing it and think you and your friend do it justice. I appreciate you putting it out there and helping to keep the interest in our music alive. God bless.
Posted by Doug Zimmerman in Altoona, Iowa USA @ 00:55 on Sep 19 2009
I remember hearing the Wall Brothers play at a concert in possibly Albert Lea, MN. My brother Mike was in a band called the Reunion Band in Mason City-Northern Iowa. I remember the Wall Bros. made this comment about the drummer and knowing Keith Green or seeing him in concert 5 times and we all laughed. A local Des Moines Christian radio station, KZZQ(now alternative format), used to play "I AM" in the off "top 40" hours quite frequently only a few years ago!! I wish it were on cd. It's a memory now. Certainly those master tapes are in some studio persons box...
I remember hearing the Wall Brothers play at a concert in possibly Albert Lea, MN. My brother Mike was in a band called the Reunion Band in Mason City-Northern Iowa. I remember the Wall Bros. made this comment about the drummer and knowing Keith Green or seeing him in concert 5 times and we all laughed. A local Des Moines Christian radio station, KZZQ(now alternative format), used to play "I AM" in the off "top 40" hours quite frequently only a few years ago!! I wish it were on cd. It's a memory now. Certainly those master tapes are in some studio persons box...
Posted by Jeff Simpson in Davenport, Iowa USA @ 03:14 on Sep 18 2009
Thanks for talking to me Lance! How cool!
Still wondering if "I Am" is available on CD. Or if there are any sound trax for it . .
Also, were you somehow connected to the Chancellors?
Thanks for talking to me Lance! How cool!
Still wondering if "I Am" is available on CD. Or if there are any sound trax for it . .
Also, were you somehow connected to the Chancellors?
Reply by Lance DeMers in Bremerton, WA @ 21:46 on Sep 22 2009
Hello Jeff,
I'm sorry to say that if a CD or trax for "I Am" exist, I'm not aware of them. Wow, I've not heard the name "The Chancellors" for quite some time! That was a vocal trio that Kraig and Greg Wall had with a third member, Dan Smith which predates my time with the WBB. Dan was the Wall brother's pastor's son and a very talented musician / singer. I met Dan briefly once or twice and we had many mutual friends, but he had moved out of town before I started with the Wall Brothers. If I remember correctly, Dan had gotten married and taken an opportunity to Pastor somewhere in Illinois and the brothers decided to continue to tour and record as a duo. A year or so later they asked me to join the band. They were starting to transition from singing covers with trax to playing live and writing their own songs. I had been writing music for a while and performing at some local coffee houses when I met them. When they came off the road I would occasionally play drums for them at local performances. We played as a trio for the first year and a half then we asked Randy Nelson, a friend and very talented musician, to join on guitar and bass. Randy was also a talented arranger and performer and added so much to our sound on stage and in the studio. Thank you, Jeff, for your continued interest in our music and for indulging me on my trip down memory lane! Take care.
Hello Jeff,
I'm sorry to say that if a CD or trax for "I Am" exist, I'm not aware of them. Wow, I've not heard the name "The Chancellors" for quite some time! That was a vocal trio that Kraig and Greg Wall had with a third member, Dan Smith which predates my time with the WBB. Dan was the Wall brother's pastor's son and a very talented musician / singer. I met Dan briefly once or twice and we had many mutual friends, but he had moved out of town before I started with the Wall Brothers. If I remember correctly, Dan had gotten married and taken an opportunity to Pastor somewhere in Illinois and the brothers decided to continue to tour and record as a duo. A year or so later they asked me to join the band. They were starting to transition from singing covers with trax to playing live and writing their own songs. I had been writing music for a while and performing at some local coffee houses when I met them. When they came off the road I would occasionally play drums for them at local performances. We played as a trio for the first year and a half then we asked Randy Nelson, a friend and very talented musician, to join on guitar and bass. Randy was also a talented arranger and performer and added so much to our sound on stage and in the studio. Thank you, Jeff, for your continued interest in our music and for indulging me on my trip down memory lane! Take care.
Posted by Jeaunetta in Wisconsin @ 01:58 on Sep 11 2009
Hi! I am looking for the "Miracle" Song Lyrics and Music by the Wall Bros. Can someone help me?
Hi! I am looking for the "Miracle" Song Lyrics and Music by the Wall Bros. Can someone help me?
Reply by Don in state of Delaware @ 20:59 on Sep 16 2010
Jeaunetta, try amazon.com or music gemm.com, they have load of old ccm available to purchase, GOD Bless! Don
Jeaunetta, try amazon.com or music gemm.com, they have load of old ccm available to purchase, GOD Bless! Don
The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.
Still looking for the Wall Brothers "Starting All Over Again" on cd. What a beautiful album!