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Florida Sun Sentinel
Written by Florida Sun Sentinel
Thursday, 05 January 2006
Florida Sun Sentinel Sun Sentinel
(If you would like to read on even more, here is a recent newspaper article: Copyright 2003 by the Sun-Sentinel, Florida)
The Rev. Jim Black dropped out of college to join a band and follow his boyhood dream of rising to the top of the musical charts. But his visions were tucked into the back of his mind when he received the call from God. He put his guitar away and became a minister. Now, 25 years later, he has picked up a guitar again, written songs and cut a religious recording, Til Then, with well-known musicians. His music is a hit and is being aired on radio stations across the country, none locally as yet. Black's next local concert is planned for Aug. 22 in Royal Palm Beach.
"I had dreams when I was younger about making it in the music business," said Black, 45, co-pastor of Hope Community Covenant Church in Boynton Beach.
"A few months ago, I began writing songs and playing music for a hobby. One day, I prayed to the Lord and asked him to use my songs and music to help people. Two weeks later, I received a call from a top Nashville producer. I know it was my prayers."
Til Then is a private venture on an independent label. Michael Foster of Nashville produced the recording. He paid the bill out of his own pocket, an estimated $50,000. and volunteered his talent, time and studio. "I heard his music. I like his songs. I like what he is saying. I like his voice," said Foster, who is a backup singer on the recording.
Foster brought in some top-flight musicians for the recording: David Santos, a bassist who has played with Billy Joel and is currently on tour with Crosby, Stills and Nash; Shawn Fichter, a drummer who plays with Kathleen LaGue and Trish Yearwood; and Dennis Burnside, a keyboard payer in Nashville who has played with Elton John and Phoebe Snow.
"These guys are known worldwide," Foster said. "They make a lot of money. We had faith in Jim." The recording took about a month to produce. To start, Black burned about 2,000 CDs. The music is described as contemporary, inspirational, positive and uplifting.
"I like it," said Tony Crosby, 38, of Boynton Beach. "It's different. It has undertones of religious music." The songs and music have been described as one of a kind.
"It is Jim," said Kandy Oliver, 40, of Boynton Beach, wife of Doug Oliver, co-pastor at Hope Community. "He sings of his childhood memories. It is his style. It is his music. The songs are really from his heart." Black sings about life, tears, hardships, fears and troubled minds, and his hope, love and faith in God. "The songs have come out of my ministry," Black said.
Black was born in Jamestown, N.Y., where he grew up. He began playing the guitar and singing as a youngster. In high school, he played in bands. He attended college in Chicago for a year, but dropped out to pick up his guitar.
He was offered a gig with a 10-piece, traveling Christian band sponsored by the Evangelical Covenant Church, a denomination of churches in the United States and Canada. They performed in churches, high schools and parks. "I developed my musical skills when I was in the band," Black said. "It was really an exciting time."
A strong religious calling brought Black to Trinity College in Chicago, where he studied youth ministry and the Bible. He graduated in 1985, married his sweetheart, Laurie, and the couple moved to Houston, where Black went to work for the Evangelical Covenant Church.
He helped organize four churches in the Houston area and created their music programs. In 1989, Black enrolled at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago to further his religious training. He graduated in 1992 with a master's of divinity degree and was ordained. He and his wife moved to Boynton Beach to help start Hope Community Covenant Church with Doug Oliver.
"I hope he has his music heard in many locations," said Doug Oliver, 45. "I am excited for him."
Black sings and plays music at Hope Community Covenant Church during services for nearly 100 members. The congregation meets at 10:15 a.m. Sundays at Christa McAuliffe Middle School, 6500 Le Chalet Blvd., Boynton Beach.
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