CHRISTIAN MUSIC | DYNAMIC WORSHIP
FULL BIOGRAPHY | From the very beginning God's hand was present in the formation of With Praise. In the year 2000 a church congregation desired a praise team that could bring a younger face to music ministry in their community. Four talented vocalists, each with a personal passion for ministry and worship, were invited to participate in what seemed to be an occasional weekend service, never realizing how their decision would impact their lives.
"When I was asked to put together a group for church I had no idea we'd come this far," recalls tenor/pianist Randy Bills. "We were just a couple of kids in a praise team." Members Amanda Escalante, DeAnne Knipschild, Randy Bills, and Kevin Straine didn't set out to become "Contemporary Christian Artists." Yet, while staying committed to their mission of bringing people to a deeper understanding of Christ's love through music, With Praise built a following by combining old hymns of the church with newer contemporary praise music and presenting them in an interactive worship service for people of all ages.
Although it was this style of worship that drew people to their music, it was their unique vocal blend, distinctive musical arrangements and commitment to ministry that set With Praise apart. "Early on we made a 4 track demo CD. Since we had no budget we ended up recording in this tiny little closet in the back of the church. That's when we really became close friends," jokes alto DeAnne. "It was something fun we wanted to do for ourselves. But when people started offering to buy it we knew that it was time to start working on the real thing."
Many people helped With Praise move from their humble beginnings in the small sound closet to their first self-titled release in November 2003. Kevin, in addition to playing guitar on the project, brought in talented band-mates from Dwell Ministries to fill out the group's instrumental sound. Randy joined with Cutting Edge Ministries' owner/producer Buz Starrett and learned the finer points of recording, mixing, and producing (even writing string parts for some of the CD tracks).
Already teamed with talented pianist/songwriter Joshua Tuburan, song selection became the easiest part of the project. "We were so lucky to work with someone like Josh, who wrote these amazing songs capturing such great spiritual truths," says soprano Amanda. Joshua's songs have also captured critical acclaim; Joy and Lamb of God both placed as top 20 songs at the Gospel Music Association's "Seminar in the Rockies," while More of You won second place in the overall song category. With Joshua's original songs making up half the CD, the remaining songs were chosen for their powerful themes of hope and assurance. Together the CD paints a bigger picture of God's mercy, beauty, and grace.
With their first record completed With Praise began to receive more opportunities to share their music in concert. Born out of the group's desire to offer not just a concert, the With Praise Worship Experience Program was designed as an interactive and engaging "worship experience" with time for encouragement, reflection and inspiration. "Some of the most powerful experiences I have had at Christian concerts have been when I was invited to participate in and to join with those on stage in a common goal. I knew that was the kind of worship leader I wanted to be," shares baritone/guitarist Kevin. "When we see someone truly in the moment, and worshiping 'in spirit and in truth,' that's greatest blessing of all."
After much positive response to their Worship Experience Programs and their self-titled CD, With Praise returns to the studio for their sophomore album, scheduled for release in Sumer 2005. "Looking ahead, I think the most important thing right now is to keep praying that the Lord work through us and continue leading us to where he wants us to be. We've seen him be faithful in the past, and we trust him to take care of our future," says DeAnne. Amanda echoes that thought, "It's enough to know that we've been called. We've seen lives changed, hearts touched, and spirits reborn. Having the chance to serve God like this is more than I would have ever hoped for. Delight yourself in the Lord and he'll give You the desires of your heart and He's really given us all the desires of our hearts."
With Praise knows that this journey is just beginning. They eagerly await whatever God has in store for them. And wherever the road may lead, they'll go with Him and with praise.
"With Praise and thanksgiving we sing to the Lord.
He is good, His love endures forever" - Ezra 3:11 |
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