Tales of His Kingdom in the Celtic Music Style

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Welcome to Kingsbard, a delightful blend of the traditional and the innovative ... erupting joy and quiet reflection ... the thrill of the pipes and the enchantment of the Irish harp ... warm comfort and bold provocation. Enjoy Celtic Christian music at its best.

Established in 1989, with a vision to unite two passions of its founding members--a profound awareness of the need for Christ Jesus in the individual's life and in society as a whole, and an unbridled enthusiasm for traditional Celtic music. From its inception, Kingsbard has sought to convey its message in much the same way that traditional bards preserved the histories and aspirations of the peoples that they were a part of. Indeed, Kingsbard's presentation bears a fair resemblance to the traditional ceilidh gathering, consisting primarily of musical story-songs, often Currently our group consists of the following members Sue Bell clarsach (Irish harp), piano and vocals Katja Bowers vocals Rob Bowers percussion, whistles, hammer dulcimer, mandolin and vocals Bruce Cotter highland pipes David Duerr leader - vocals, tin whistle, low D whistle, bodhran, hamer dulcimer, Irish bouzouki, guitar Cyndi Fix vocals, vocal coach John Hopkins vocals, guitar, string bass, electric bass, tenor banjo Kathy Hopkins vocals, soprano recorder, synthesizer, tin whistle, clarsach (Irish Harp) Richard Katz highland pipes, Scottish smallpipes, uilleann pipes, drums, bodhran Lucinda King vocals Richard King bodhran, bones and vocals Janet Londgren vocals, irish transverse flute Vickie Morton fiddle and viola Barry Prior acoustic and electric bass Lauren Saboff vocals Claudia Slayman clarsach (Irish harp), and vocals Curtis Wright 5-string banjo, mandolin of fictional characters which have the ability to transcend the era in which they are presented by offering glimpses of the timeless attributes of God Almighty and of His people. These stirring ballads are punctuated by driving traditional jigs, hornpipes, reels and stately strathspeys. Children's songs (for children of all ages) are also a favorite mix in Kingsbard's concert fare, along with a healthy dose of humor. The instrumentation used by Kingsbard is primarily that of the folk bands of Scotland and Ireland: the clarsach (Irish harp), fiddle, penny whistles, the Uilleann Pipes, Irish bouzouki, accordion, the bodhran (traditional Irish goatskin-head drum), and the Highland Pipes combined with the more familiar fare of guitar, bass, and drum set. Kingsbard's leader, David Duerr, writes most of the material for the group. As his last name implies, he is a typical American mongrel--though his pedigree boasts two Scottish grannies! He holds a B.A. in Music from San Jose State University, but experienced a Damascus Road conversion to Celtic music about 15 years ago. He provides a lot of the lead vocals for the group, as well as some instrumental work. His musical relation to co-founding members John and Kathy Hopkins goes back nearly 30 years, when they played in a Christian band together. The final founding member, Janet Londgren, also has a long term commitment to Christian Folk Music. The rest of our group is listed at the right. Brought together, occasionally with traditional dancers as well, it makes for an experience not soon forgotten. In early 1995, Kingsbard released their first CD entitled Followin' the Gypsie Laddie-o. It contains over an hour of original pieces reflecting the groups versatility and message. It is also available in cassette form. A New CD due out in November 2000 will contain 11 exciting new tunes on the recording (over an hour's worth of music), including some never heard before. The members of Kingsbard believe that the musical style they have adopted as their own has a unique capacity for conveying Christ's message of love to a badly bruised and often cynical world. The music reflects a genuineness and approachability that often seems to get lost in the busy, electronic, consumer-packaged styles of today. It is their greatest joy to see lives touched, encouraged and strengthened by the message and the Master of their music.

Thank you Lord Jesus for Your unfathomable love.

The fire hisses and pops as it comfortably settles into a glowing mass of coals. Young lads and lasses gaze drowsily into the shadow world betwixt firelight and darkness, where the wee folk are said to dwell. The exuberance of the ceilidh gathering, like its great, gay fire, gradually and almost imperceptibly dissipates into a silent reverie. It is then that the voice of the Bard is heard -rising and falling into each cadence of the free-flowing melodic strains. Here is the chronicling of a people; their victories, their defeats, their joys, their sorrows, their aspirations. And each listener - be he grey-crowned patriarch or drowsy-eyed bairn -is gently reminded of who he is, and where he has come from; whither he must go, and Who continues to lead him all the while.

	To contact Kingsbard by email: david@kingsbard-music.com
	To contact webmaster support: john@kingsbard-music.com