Rex and Kent, great interview once again. I got into Sweet Comfort Band when "Hearts Of Fire" came out back in 1981. Randy Thomas's guitar playing just blew me away. Loved his solos on Isabel and Contender. I never got to see Sweet comfort Band live. Once again Rex and Kent, keep up the great work you are doing. Jerry Elder
Thanks for being so encouraging and supportive, Jerry; we are grateful! Indeed, "Isabel" and "Contender" are great songs! "Valerie" and "Searching for Love" also rank way up there with me in the SBD canon. Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings, Jerry! -Kent
It was an honor to have been granted this interview with Randy! He has had an incredible journey with fascinating stories to tell! Indeed, it's very cool that he is involved with the worship program at his church. Thank you for watching and commenting! Blessings! -Kent
Hi, Ken! Thank you for watching and commenting! Randy is absolutely an integral part of Christian rock history. Sweet Comfort Band may seem a bit tame these days, but when they launched in the 70's, they were cutting edge... forging the path for other rock bands under Christendom's umbrella. Indeed, Allies was a great rock band, too! Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings! -Kent
What an excellent interview! So much rich history and timeless music that's still great all these years later. I discovered SCB first with their "Perfect Timing" album, but have always been more of an Allies fan. I still crank up "Long Way From Paradise" and "Devil Is A Liar" like I did when I was a teenager! Thanks for helping keep this great music alive Rex and Kent!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Brian! We are grateful! Yes, so much rich Christian rock history here with Randy via SCB and Allies! May The Lord be glorified! -Kent
SCB were real kind to me in the early 80s, and Randy was and remains a killer guitarist. I loved that you talked about their album art- they indeed had amazing album covers!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and to comment, Phil - that is an honor in itself! I greatly appreciate your work with the Phil Keaggy Band's "Emerging" album! Indeed, SCB had some terrific album art and Randy rocks! Blessings! -Kent
I was never into Sweet Comfort Band and I like some of the Allies material. Regardless, I still like to watch your interviews of artists that didn't totally click with me and my musical tastes, which mostly is on the heavier side of rock. I enjoy the history of these veteran artists in Christian Music who paved the way for other artists. Trivia: Brian Wooten (Whiteheart) and Perry Richardson both played for Trace Atkins. Ironically, Shania Twain is currently here in St. John's, Newfoundland doing a couple of live performances. I live in Mount Pearl which is next to St. Johns. I remember that Butterfly Kisses was all over the radio in the 90s. I didn't care for the song. It kind of bugged me that a Christian song that didn't have an in your face Christian message was on the radio. However, when you think about it, it was about the proper love between a father and a child which went against the selfish love often sung in mainstream radio. Butterfly Kisses for the theme is similar to Honestly in 1987/88 - sacrificial, protective and enduring friendship love.
Hi, Michael! Thanks for watching and commenting, brother! There are varying reasons why Rex and I have a variety of artists on within the Christian rock and metal spectrum. Foremost, we have a genuine appreciation for them and are able to glean an interview with them. Another reason - as is the case with Randy Thomas here - is that we recognize and respect artists who have been a part of that very first wave of rock within the Christian community. Sweet Comfort Band bridged that gap between what was called "Jesus Music" (stemming from the "Jesus Movement" in the late-60s) and Christian rock as we know it. While Sweet Comfort Band had some lighter fare, in the vein of Steely Dan, late-70's Doobie Brothers or Chicago, they also had songs that flat out rocked in the classic tradition. As well, we hope that by having a variety of artists on, we might turn some people on to some great music that they otherwise might have missed. We wish to "keep the flame lit and the torch passed along" of these wonderful bands and artists as we say here at AREA 312 Vodcast. When you mentioned that you used to be "bugged" by the fact that "Butterfly Kisses" didn't mention God: neither does the book of Esther or Song of Solomon which are part of the Bible. However - and as you've already concluded - principles rooted in and stemming from God's Word are directly applied within the lyrical content. Thank you for sharing your Christian rock and metal albums on your Soldier777 channel - I always enjoy watching! Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings, brother! -Kent
@@AREA312RockMetalVodcast I agree with your thoughts. I love learning about the history of these wonderful musicians and what God has done in their lives.
The influences He is speaking of were the well known players of their time. Phil didn't start becoming known until the mid 70s though he had been around for a while. I have seen him in concert several times and have at least 20 of his cds. I know what you are saying he is among the best!
@@louisrose6618 Thanks for putting the "What about Phil Keaggy" comment in context, Louis. That greatly helps. Among Christian artists, Randy mentioned Love Song whose eponymous album preceded Phil's "What a Day" by only one year, albeit Phil was with Glass Harp in the late 60's. Perhaps Phil was not specifically an influence on Randy such as Clapton or Hendrix, or it could be that Randy simply forgot to mention his name among others. Regardless, we know what a phenomenal musician and treasure that Phil Keaggy is. -Kent
@@louisrose6618 oh Randy knew of Phil he went up against Phil one time and was doin alright till Phil just went loose Randy couldn’t keep up I’m sure was referring to growing up though
Rex and Kent, great interview once again. I got into Sweet Comfort Band when "Hearts Of Fire" came out back in 1981. Randy Thomas's guitar playing just blew me away. Loved his solos on Isabel and Contender. I never got to see Sweet comfort Band live. Once again Rex and Kent, keep up the great work you are doing. Jerry Elder
Thanks for being so encouraging and supportive, Jerry; we are grateful! Indeed, "Isabel" and "Contender" are great songs! "Valerie" and "Searching for Love" also rank way up there with me in the SBD canon. Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings, Jerry! -Kent
I'm glad to have caught Randy playing live in Allies, as well as Identical Strangers. Wish I had caught SCB back in the day.
great to hear from Randy. I love that he is leading worship in his local church.
It was an honor to have been granted this interview with Randy! He has had an incredible journey with fascinating stories to tell! Indeed, it's very cool that he is involved with the worship program at his church. Thank you for watching and commenting! Blessings! -Kent
Another great interview! Thanks for that history lesson….I learned quite a lot about Randy and his bands. I love Allies!
Hi, Ken! Thank you for watching and commenting! Randy is absolutely an integral part of Christian rock history. Sweet Comfort Band may seem a bit tame these days, but when they launched in the 70's, they were cutting edge... forging the path for other rock bands under Christendom's umbrella. Indeed, Allies was a great rock band, too! Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings! -Kent
What an excellent interview! So much rich history and timeless music that's still great all these years later. I discovered SCB first with their "Perfect Timing" album, but have always been more of an Allies fan. I still crank up "Long Way From Paradise" and "Devil Is A Liar" like I did when I was a teenager! Thanks for helping keep this great music alive Rex and Kent!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Brian! We are grateful! Yes, so much rich Christian rock history here with Randy via SCB and Allies! May The Lord be glorified! -Kent
Outstanding interview with a super duper cool rocking dude, originally from North Texas.
Thank you for watching and commenting, Eric; we are grateful! Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings! -Kent
SCB were real kind to me in the early 80s, and Randy was and remains a killer guitarist. I loved that you talked about their album art- they indeed had amazing album covers!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and to comment, Phil - that is an honor in itself! I greatly appreciate your work with the Phil Keaggy Band's "Emerging" album! Indeed, SCB had some terrific album art and Randy rocks! Blessings! -Kent
Love the interview 🙌 👌 😍
Thank you for watching and commenting, Ramon; we are grateful! Blessings! -Kent
Great interview and content,
Thank you for watching and commenting; we are grateful! Blessings! -Kent
They also had Seawind horns
I was never into Sweet Comfort Band and I like some of the Allies material. Regardless, I still like to watch your interviews of artists that didn't totally click with me and my musical tastes, which mostly is on the heavier side of rock. I enjoy the history of these veteran artists in Christian Music who paved the way for other artists. Trivia: Brian Wooten (Whiteheart) and Perry Richardson both played for Trace Atkins. Ironically, Shania Twain is currently here in St. John's, Newfoundland doing a couple of live performances. I live in Mount Pearl which is next to St. Johns. I remember that Butterfly Kisses was all over the radio in the 90s. I didn't care for the song. It kind of bugged me that a Christian song that didn't have an in your face Christian message was on the radio. However, when you think about it, it was about the proper love between a father and a child which went against the selfish love often sung in mainstream radio. Butterfly Kisses for the theme is similar to Honestly in 1987/88 - sacrificial, protective and enduring friendship love.
Hi, Michael! Thanks for watching and commenting, brother! There are varying reasons why Rex and I have a variety of artists on within the Christian rock and metal spectrum.
Foremost, we have a genuine appreciation for them and are able to glean an interview with them. Another reason - as is the case with Randy Thomas here - is that we recognize and respect artists who have been a part of that very first wave of rock within the Christian community. Sweet Comfort Band bridged that gap between what was called "Jesus Music" (stemming from the "Jesus Movement" in the late-60s) and Christian rock as we know it. While Sweet Comfort Band had some lighter fare, in the vein of Steely Dan, late-70's Doobie Brothers or Chicago, they also had songs that flat out rocked in the classic tradition.
As well, we hope that by having a variety of artists on, we might turn some people on to some great music that they otherwise might have missed. We wish to "keep the flame lit and the torch passed along" of these wonderful bands and artists as we say here at AREA 312 Vodcast.
When you mentioned that you used to be "bugged" by the fact that "Butterfly Kisses" didn't mention God: neither does the book of Esther or Song of Solomon which are part of the Bible. However - and as you've already concluded - principles rooted in and stemming from God's Word are directly applied within the lyrical content.
Thank you for sharing your Christian rock and metal albums on your Soldier777 channel - I always enjoy watching! Wishing you The Lord's continued blessings, brother! -Kent
@@AREA312RockMetalVodcast I agree with your thoughts. I love learning about the history of these wonderful musicians and what God has done in their lives.
Hey I got a suggestion how bout interviewing someone from the group Armageddon they put out the Money mask album I just heard it it’s really good
I remember The Money Mask album by Armageddon - formerly known as Second Chance. Good album & band, indeed! -Kent
What about Phil Keaggy
What do you mean, John? -Kent
The influences He is speaking of were the well known players of their time. Phil didn't start becoming known until the mid 70s though he had been around for a while. I have seen him in concert several times and have at least 20 of his cds. I know what you are saying he is among the best!
@@louisrose6618 Thanks for putting the "What about Phil Keaggy" comment in context, Louis. That greatly helps. Among Christian artists, Randy mentioned Love Song whose eponymous album preceded Phil's "What a Day" by only one year, albeit Phil was with Glass Harp in the late 60's. Perhaps Phil was not specifically an influence on Randy such as Clapton or Hendrix, or it could be that Randy simply forgot to mention his name among others. Regardless, we know what a phenomenal musician and treasure that Phil Keaggy is. -Kent
@@louisrose6618 oh Randy knew of Phil he went up against Phil one time and was doin alright till Phil just went loose Randy couldn’t keep up I’m sure was referring to growing up though
@@AREA312RockMetalVodcast I just would have liked to have known what he thought of Phil keaggy