Well.... Much has been happening with the banana lovers. Grace Monkey has been very busy so far this year with several concerts and worship leading and recording a CD. Yes, Grace Monkey has just finished recording 11 songs for their first CD! The project is now in the mixing and mastering stage and we're hoping it will be finished by late April. The recording took place during two trips to Nashville in January and February '01. A little rough preview of the CD can be heard on Rod's mp3 site. Stay tuned to this page for lyrics to the new songs: Soren's Song; Batter my Heart; All the Air; Give Up; Already, Not Yet; You Are; Fold, Fill the Earth; Yes, Lord; The Way; and Steady Rhythms.
Click on the thumbnails below to see some photos from the recording session. Sorry to all you Jolie fans; because the vocals were recorded in a tiny dark room, there is a conspicuous shortage of Jolie footage available for viewing.
In other news, Grace Monkey recently opened for a Worship concert by David Crowder. Here are some photos from that concert.
Grace Monkey spent July 30 to August 10, 2000 in Moldova as a part of a mission trip with Gateway Baptist Church Students and Crossover Communications International. The band took part in a Bible Clubs ministry to children during the day and played concerts and church services most evenings. Check out the poster for the August 5 concert the band played. Also see the set list for the August 4 concert. See pictures of the band and students in ministry at the Moldova Trip Update pages and children to whom we ministered at the "Face of Moldova" pages.
In September, Grace Monkey recorded two new songs, "You Are" and "Higher". These songs lead to the addition of a Grace Monkey site on Mp3.com, where they can be streamed or downloaded for free. Also in September, the band returned for a second concert at Fort Jackson army training facility. Hosted by "The Fortress" coffee house, the concert was outdoors and attended by well over 300 soldiers. The band also made a return trip to Columbia International University for a concert at "Common Ground". The band also provided music for a baptism service at Gateway Baptist on the 23rd. This was an unplugged version of the band, as they did acoustic versions of standard Grace Monkey songs and some additions.
In October, Grace Monkey will once again provide music along the route for the South Carolina "Governor's Cup" race. October will also begin one of the band's most exciting ministries yet. Beginning on the 30th, they will perform every Monday night for "The Gathering", an outreach ministry for College students and Singles provided by Columbia's First Nazarene church. The venue for this weekly event will be the "Comedy House Theater" in St. Andrews, Columbia.
The band will also plans to play again in October and November at Fort Jackson. Dates are TBA.
Grace Monkey began in September 1999. Rod was asked to join because he had a gig. Greg was asked to join because he knew some other musicians. Jolie was asked to join because she was Greg's wife (and still is!). Ian was asked to join because he has a rock star's name and red drums. Chris was asked to join because he had an amp that Rod could use.
The first gig was at White Oak Conference Center in South Carolina. GM played some secular tunes and some Christian tunes and some worship songs. The organizers of the event asked about a name to introduce the band, and "Grace Monkey" was chosen minutes before the introduction.
Soon Grace Monkey was playing Church Youth events, FCA meetings, Rallies, Birthday Parties, Distance Races, .... anywhere there was electricity.