Happy Holidays to everyone out there in News4U world! I hope everyone is groovin’ their way into the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” This month I want to tell you a story about a great group of young men spreading a powerful message through the power of rock ‘n roll. I caught a FishHook show at Elevation 2007 and I have to tell you that THESE GUYS ROCK!

I sat down with my buddy Eric Bivens the other day to discuss his Christian Rock band FishHook. Eric Bivens, now 27, has played in a band since he was 15 years old. He’s always been a very driven individual.

“In all my band days I have always been leadership oriented. I started my own business right out high school printing T-shirts. Money wasn’t enough. GOD called me to do something for him 6 years ago. He opened the door for me to step into youth ministry,” said Eric.

Eric’s “Day Job” is Youth Minister and Worship Leader of Calvary Temple Church.     

Eric continued, “Stepping into youth ministry I am called to reach teenagers. It’s more fulfilling than any money I could have made in the business world.”

All other members of FishHook: Brandon Cox, Dexter Payne, and Sean Ralston; were all once members of Bivens’ youth group. How cool is that???

I asked Eric what the meaning is in the name FishHook. He said, "The name Fishhook comes from the bible, Matthew 4:19, where Jesus tells us to be 'fishers of men.’ Every band wants people to be hooked by their music, but through the music we also want to reveal enough about Christ that people become hooked to Him.  Therefore, Fishhook is more than the name of a band; it’s a ministry that God has called us to." 

The band formed 3 years ago and started as the youth group worship band for Calvary Temple. As the band progressed, they began leading worship elsewhere at places such as camps, conferences, other churches, etc. It is important to point out that FishHook began as a way for the group to lead worship through their music.

Eric shared with me, “The more we played music and led worship, the more our passion for music clicked. Then we started taking it beyond the worship and into the performance realm and started writing a Christian Rock style of all original music.” As they began to write their own music, the band was still leading worship for the church and other events.

“We started doing small shows in churches, more or less fun concerts basically,” said Eric. “We played Elevation the first 2 years at the Big E.”

One of the most admirable things about FishHook is the fact that they donate all of the money they make back into Ministry. “We don’t get paid much and every single thing we have done we put back into Ministry. For instance, we don’t use the money we make for sound gear for us, we give it to missions and things within ministries in America and worldwide,” said Eric. “We do this for fun and ministry.”

Even though FishHook plays for fun, Bivens takes it very seriously and always strives to be the absolute best he can be. The entire band follows that same philosophy. Eric stated, “When we take the stage, we are ready to ROCK!” And rock, indeed, they do.

 

FishHook has a slamming, powerful show, complete with original video, rock solid edgy riffs, powerful vocals, screaming leads, and a solid rhythm section.

Eric shared with me 3 bands that are the main influences for the guys in FishHook. Disciple, Demon Hunter, and Velvet Revolver are the main stylistic musical influences for the band.

FishHook recently had a huge party to release their first self-titled CD. Over 600 people showed up for the concert. Admission was $10 and every cent was donated to a Missions organization called “Speed the Light.” The band even spent much of their own money to donate a CD and a T-shirt to every attendee.

The band clearly has their heart in the right place. I must say it is refreshing in this day and age to see a talented group of musicians doing what they love and helping others each step of the way.

I asked Eric what the ultimate goal of the band is. After a moment of reflection, he said, “I want to accomplish a good memory with FishHook, one where people can look back and say FishHook wasn’t just a band, they touched lives. We will go where God leads us.”

One place I know FishHook will be is at Elevation 2008 sharing the stage with Family Force Five on Saturday, February 16 at the Executive Inn. In Eric’s words, “We’ll be preparing ourselves to bring it, to make sure we have the BEST performance we’ve had to date!” I have no doubt they will indeed throw it down.

Make sure to make plans to attend Elevation 2008!

As Eric said, “A life with GOD can rock as much as anything in this world!”

You can get more info on FishHook at: MySpace.com/fishhookband

Check it out, listen to some cuts from the CD and support these guys and their efforts to spread their music and message.

 

That’s all for now. Happy Holidays to everyone and I’ll catch YOU next month with yet another tale of Hometown Musical Heroes! Now back to fun with my boys.

 

“Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly, happy soul. With a corn cob pipe and a button nose and 2 eyes made out of coal…”

 

Heath Eric: heatheric@AOUTside.com

 

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