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About the CD
Pray For Reign - Is God in your life?
Atlanta based Christian rock group. A blend of edgy alternative rock and blues. The self Titled CD Pray For Reign is an exceptional Christian music CD.
All songs are written by Eddie King and recorded "live" by Pray For Reign™ at
Cat Box Studio except for where noted.
He's Alive **
In The Secret**
Be Glorified **
Reprise *
Pray For Reign was engineered by Mike Sirmans
Pray For Reign is a BMI affiliate
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Eddie King - Guitar & Vocals
Eddie King:
I started playing guitar in 1973. My early influences were Jeff Beck, Santana, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winters, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Jimi Hendrix. In my formative "Jazz" years it was George Benson, Earl Klugh, Al DiMolia, & Pat Metheny. Then came the Speed Metal years when I discovered Tony McAlphine, Vinnie Moore, Blues Sarenceno, and pretty much anyone on Shrapnel Records. By the late 80s and early 90s I was more into The Edge & U2, The Cure, Tears For Fears to name a few. Tom Righi was a major influence as my only teacher for a number of years. When learning "cover" tunes he always taught the signature riffs but never the entire song note for note impressing upon me to improvise through a solo in order to have influences but yet making my own voice on guitar. This was the most influential lesson I ever learned as a developing and "still" developing guitar player.
The creation of the group Pray For Reign has been a life project in the making. When I first
decided to do only original christian music and begin a life of service to God. I had to part
ways with a lot of people who had been friends of mine for some time. The decision to follow God's
calling pretty much cost me my band (at the time) and the relationships that were made in those
years with the band. People literally rolled there eyes when I said I wanted to do christian rock.
Well I now found myself starting over from scratch in musical circles and it took me
almost two years to get Jack Shelton as a bass player. I kept begging him to join with me and make the band possible. He caved into my constant pleads and "finally" joined the band and has not only been the best bassist one could hope for but also has become a great friend in the process and a mentor in my walk with Jesus Christ. My life long friend Charlie Denmark who was my bass player for about a million years now stepped up to the plate as rhythm & lead guitar player. Charlie has been with me since I can remember and we have been in so many bands together its not funny. Charlie has been there through thick and thin and even in poor health he stays by my side. If a person goes through his/her entire life and only has one friend like this then that person has truly been blessed. Charlie passed away from this earth and I miss him dearly. He now sits with his true Father and one day I'll see him again. Jeff Hand is the ground. What I mean to say is when things get all crazy Jeff is the voice of reason and brings our feet back to earth. Two words can describe his playing. We call him the "The Machine" or the "Human Metronome" Jeff never misses a beat and his timing is phonominal. I sometimes hate his ability because it amplifies my own inability to count. Jeff is by far the best drummer I have ever had the pleasure of having.
The first time I ever heard Meredith Mason sing I was amazed by her voice. When I finally got around to asking her to sing on the CD the band was really taking on its own sound. Meredith was so easy to work into the line up it was like having an old friend over for a visit. Her ability to pick out pitch and make corrections on the fly and to be able to emulate style even down to vibrato, which is no easy task, never ceases to amaze me. Meredith came out several evenings to sing with just a last minute phone call, and never having heard some of the songs, came though as the true professional she is. Meredith has since moved on but she was an intrical part to our frist CD Connie Wallace - I never thougth I'd ever replace Mer after she left but I started listining to Connie in worship at Calvery Chapel, my home church and I was knocked out by her power and ability to ablib. I knew immedately she would be a perfect fit for the band. She has been with us for a year now and tours constantly with us. . She has brought great song writting ability as well . We are very deep into writing the second CD entitled "Reign Again" and this CD will be a first all band colaboration.
These next two people although not actual members of the band are nonetheless major components
to our existence. Mike Sirmans aka "The Mad Scientist" (extra guitar in Pray For Reign) and
Gary Kitchens (adlib vocals on Be Glorified) of the band R.O.C. Band
(Rock Of Christ). If it were not for these two guys Pray For Reign's first CD would still be a
"someday" dream. Mike is an awesome engineer, as well as guitarist par excellence, and he
literally spent hundreds of man hours at the controls of the studio. In addition we were blessed
to have Gary's excellent ears and input for the mastering of the self titled CD. Mere words can not
express our gratitude for these two people whom God has placed in our path to help in this musical journey.
Gear Head Info GUITARS: FENDER - California Strat, Standard Telecaster (Cream colored ala Mary Kay finish), Standard Strat (Tobacco Sunburst) ,Squire Venus (Sea Foam Gree) GIBSON - 1980 SG Standard (White) IBANEZ - Talman (Green) Semi Hollow Body - Exclusively used on the CD YAMAHA - AEX 520 (Orange) Semi Hollow Body TAKAMiNE - Santa Fe - PSF 150 Acoustic AMPS: GIGSON - Gold Tone - One 12" speaker 30 Watt Amp (this is my number one) This amp has two knobs; Volume & Tone and thats it! Create - Blues Series - Two 12" (White Tolex covering)
Jack Shelton - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Jack Shelton - Bass Guitar & Vocal Before I start, I would like to thank My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the grace He has shown me. With out Him in my life, I am sure I would not be here writing this bio:
I started playing at the age of 7 years old 1963, in Fairbanks Alaska. By the time I was in 7th grade I was playing at the school dances. My influences at that time were my brothers as I come from a family of musicians. I was heavily into Funk in those years (the 70s) IE Bootsy Collins, Funkadelic, George Clinton, Parliament, Commodores, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clark to name a few. I love all the 70s rock and roll and dreamed of becoming big in the music industry. In these years I was playing guitar and drums. Moving to California in the late 70s I was introduced to a totally different way of looking at music, I found punk and new wave. Although I never really had a huge liking of any one band, I listened to a lot of them. A drummer Rick Gunther introduced me to original music and I have never looked back from there. After getting tired of California and the west coast, and finding Jesus Christ, I moved to the other side of the world. I ended up in Georgia, and found that the musicians here were so grounded and I fell into a band right away. This is where I really became interested in the bass guitar.
In 2001 Eddie King played a special at our church, Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, and he blew my mind. He does not just play his guitar licks he breaths his guitar licks. I was already committed to another group at the time, but I wanted to play his music real bad. Eddie has been one of my best friends in the last six years. He has encouraged me to sing, something that I have always wanted to do. He has opened the door to my creativities without putting boundaries on me. He has allowed me to push ideas on this group to help round the music out. As he said it took him years of bugging me to play with him, and all I can say is thanks for not giving up on me. We have endured many ups and downs in the last few years together, and I can think of no one else except Jesus Christ that I would have rather done it with.  Jeff Hand as Eddie has said is the ground. Truly if Jeff had not been in this band I'm sure I would have done many things I would have regretted. He has a way of bringing us back to Jesus when we really want the world. He is without a shadow of doubt the best drummer in the world. I have never seen or played with any one that could do any thing you ask of him. His feet go faster then his hands if you can believe that. I cannot believe that some huge band has not picked up this man. He brings in his ideas and has the ability to give Pray For Reign what we need when we need it. His love for his family is a pillar for all of us in the band. And how he lives his life for Christ is what we all should strive for. Connie is awesome. Her part with Pray For Reign is going to be taking us to the next level. We have a chance to grow vocally with three part harmonies. She has a range that is way cool. She is fun and energenic with our music, her smiles and willingness to bring the spirit of the Lord with her, helps us to rise to any occasion that might come our way. I look forward to working with her every time.
Charlie Denmark is in a word just plane cool. Charlie was willing to release the Bass chores to me and took up
playing guitar again. Charlie is special to me as his health is not great, but he is always there when we need
him. It is my prayer to give Charlie every chance he can to play for the Lord and to realize all the dreams he
has for his life and his family. As a Band we pray for Charlie all the time, and I pray for him to fulfill his
life's dreams. As Charlie has gone home to be with the Lord, it sorrows my heart he is not with us. However it's
awesome that I know we will see him soon, as I know he is with the Lord. Charlie we love ya man.
I would love to take a second and thank two special people, Mike Sirmans the master mixer and Gary Kitchens Cat Box him self, for allowing us the chance to be able to do this project. Gary and Mike opened their studio to us and spent countless hours in our project. Mikes ability to look a waveform and say "That just ain't right" and fix it. He just cracked me up doing that for what was hours. They lent their talent on the album and their expertise to the whole project. Besides that they have really cool band called ROC, their web site is availed by clicking on the link. Please go there and check it out. As far as Pray For Reign goes, it is the band I have been looking for my whole life. It has the sound that I adore and just plain rocks. The Lord new where He wanted me, go figurer, as usual His plan is perfect Amen.
GUITARS & GEAR:
Jeff Hand - Drums & Persussions
First and foremost Glory to God in the highest! Without Him I would not be here.  I got my first set of drums at 6 years old. A paper head kit They were history in less than a month. I had to wait until 12 to get my next set I remember I used to gather up all the trash cans around the house and set them up and play for hours. I even formed an imaginary band called "Johnny Wiggs" and "the trash pile band".
In 1973 I promised my dad if he would just by me this kit, from sears for $69, I would not give up
playing... well dad I'm still playing...thanks. I would come home from school and practice for hours
everyday. My mom blamed my drums for cracking the ceiling in our house. In the ninth grade I started playing in the High School band. This is where I learned I really love music. My early influences were John Bonham, Neal Peart, Phil Eheart, Bill Bruford, Buddy Rich, and Carl Palmer. I was really into 70's progressive music. Bands like Yes, Kansas, Genesis, and Rush to name a few. By age 15 I was playing with a guitarist, named Eddie Hall, who could write some really awesome songs. We would play anywhere we got the chance. One memorable event was outdoors on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in North Atlanta. We both knew what we wanted to do the rest of our lives. Less than two months after graduating High School Eddie asked me to join a band called "White Elephant". We soon changed the name to "Distant thunder". This is where I got the "itch" to be a rock and roller. I have very fond memories of Distant Thunder; however God was moving me in a different direction... By 1986 I was burned out chasing the "rock star" dream. I had been raised in a Christian home, but had strayed away. Then I met my wife, rededicated my life to Jesus, and started having children... I formed another band with two other Christian friends called "Trilogy". We played together for several years. At the same time I was asked to play with the Calvary Chapel worship band. This has been a blessing to me. In 2003 Eddie King and Jack Shelton asked me to do a project with I didn't know at the time but this would be a great adventure for me. Thanks guys for bringing me in... The first time I heard Eddie play all I could say was "WOW". I love his style and songwriting ability. Eddie has a way of taking you to places you didn't know you could reach. It is a joy to play in a band with him. Jack isn't just a bass player he IS the bass player. I have never played with another bass player that has so much fun doing what he does. You can't help but be happy when Jack is around. His sound is so big and fat. You know his "funk" roots are coming through. His leadership ability tends to keep everybody on the same track. He truly has a heart for God. ... more to come
Connie Wallace - Vocals
Connie Wallace - Vocals
Life’s a journey…a little cliché, but very true. Mine began in Texas, but I moved to California and then to Georgia. No matter where the journey has taken me, music has always been a huge part of “my little world”. I knew at an early age that God was calling me to sing for Him. I learned that I could sing anywhere, anytime – when I’m happy, when I’m sad – no matter what’s going on inside me, music gives me the outward expression and takes me beyond the circumstance. I can’t imagine my journey without it. 
In the journey, too, came a few surprises. God has blessed me with an incredible family – a husband who is my best friend and completes me, and two precious boys who are now into their “teen” years. At this time in my life, I never dreamed that I would get the opportunity to sing in a band, but God surprised me with “Pray for Reign”. I love these guys with all my heart. God is blessing their ministry, and I’m honored to be a part of it. Your journey, and ours as well – every breath, every step – is a blessing from God. It is my prayer that as you listen to our music, your journey will be strengthened. May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Your friend in Jesus…Connie
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