There were DC Talk, Delirious and many others.
Since Denis knew English he could understand the contents of the songs.
Thus he saw an opportunity of preaching the gospel through songs, of winning
people's hearts with sermons put into lyrics and music, of worshiping the
Lord and bringing new souls to him. He liked watching the multitude of
people coming to the DC Talk concerts, teenagers rising their hands
to heaven and worshiping God while musicians sang about close relations
with their Father. All that caused in him a great eagerness for writing
songs and music and organizing a band. When Denis came back to his home
church in Sumy he started thanking God for his dream coming true though,
saying sincerely, it was just impossible.
He had neither instruments, nor musicians, nothing
but a strong desire to organize a band which would travel all about Ukraine.
In March 1997 Denis Tkachenko found a guy who had a great
eagerness for playing drums though was unable to hold the simplest rhythm.
His name was Maxim Rudenko. The teenagers decided to rehearse twice a week.
By that time Denis had two songs, a guitar and old drums. Nobody understood
what they could do at that rehearsals. But the teenagers did what they
could and what they thought was necessary, prayed God and rehearsed the
two songs written by Denis. They were sure they would have many musicians
one day. In a couple weeks Angela joined the group and became a back vocal
singer and a keyboard player. Then, in a few months, Vitalick joined the
band. He had a great desire to serve God through playing solo guitar. So,
there were four of them.
They had three or four songs. The quality left much to be
desired, but the musicians remained with God and knew that he needed loving
children rather then professional musicians. Their first concert was performed
on a Bible School party. Then there were gospel meetings in their church.
By October 1998 the group had ten songs and the leader decided to
record them. So, six months later in April 1999 they released their
first album called For Christ.
Before, they played without a bass guitar. For the records
Denis himself played some parts, and some played a session bass guitar
player.
The same year, in April Andrey Elizarov joined the group.
Very soon he mastered bass guitar. For the future he plans entering the
Music College and studying contrabass there. In spite of the fact the quality
of playing left much to be desired the teenagers relied on God's help and
did their best.
Now Maxim Rudenko is a student of the Music College. He gets
excellent marks and amazes his mates with his talents. Vitaly Sereda who
joined the group in 1999 is also a student of the Music College, classic
guitar department. The qualitative level of his playing solo guitar grew
about ten times.
Denis and Angela study singing, they watch special video
school. Rhythm guitar became a native element for Denis. The group performed
their concerts in Kiev, Pheodosia, Kerch, Shchors, Gluhov and Romny, gave
many concerts in Sumy - about 25 in general. Maybe that's not much for
somebody else, but for them it's enough for seeing God's hand and his help.
Soon their CD will be released. It will include new versions
of the old songs and also new songs, about 25 in general.
Members of the group:
-
Denis Tkachenko -- the leader of the group, vocals, rhythm
guitar
-
Angelica Tkachenko -- back vocals, keyboard
Maxim Rudenko -- drums
Andrey Elizarov -- bass guitar
Vitaly Sereda -- solo guitar
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