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Christian Performer Swapped One Keyboard for Another
By Craig Pinley
NASHVILLE, TN (June 19, 2002) - A few years ago, David Alan was in the cradle of
the high-tech industry - Silicon Valley - wondering if God had put him on
this earth to work in front of a computer screen.
Alan isn't wondering anymore. He believes God is calling him to work for
his glory as a keyboard performer. He has settled in Nashville, Tennessee,
the cradle of the Christian music industry, performing in front of large
audiences for one of the more successful worship bands in the country.
Indeed, Alan has come a long way from singing in the North Park University
choir. And in his current job, he will travel a long way during June and
July as his Sonicflood band performs in venues from Virginia to
California.
In 1996, Alan moved to Nashville from California after leaving his job as a
graphic designer in San Jose. He signed on with Sonicflood during
the fall of 2000 after making connections with Sonicflood bass
player Rick Heil. The group has made it to the top of charts in Christian
music, winning a prestigious Dove Award and Reader's Choice awards and
earning a Grammy nomination during the past two years. The band has
scheduled a "Resonate" tour this fall and plans to launch a new album early
next year.
"It took a long time for me to feel the calling to go (into a Christian
music career)," Alan said of following his dream of a full-time music
career. "When I did, God truly opened doors in record time. This is my
passion and God's making it a dream come true and I'm living it. I'm so
thankful that I'm able to do this."
Born in Hollywood, California, David Alan comes from a strong Covenant
background. His father, Alan Hearl, is a Covenant pastor and his mother,
Karen, is executive board president of Covenant Women Ministries. He became
interested in music during junior high and he played trumpet and piano
during his high school years as his dad served at Hillside Covenant Church
in Walnut Creek, California.
Following high school, Alan attended North Park for two years and sang in
the university choir while participating in a band with other students. He
graduated from San
Jose State University, but has fond memories of his time at North Park.
"I loved North Park and I think my keyboard playing really started to take
off there," said Alan, whose brother Tim also attended North Park. "I had
played mostly brass instruments until then. And I've got friends (from
North Park) that I still spend time with when I'm on the road. It's great.
There was such community there."
Alan finished his college education as a graphic design major and ventured
into the secular music scene. His father admits, "We did a lot of praying
those days as he was honing his skills and testing his faith." Eventually,
however, Alan realized that he wanted to use his gifts for God's glory. He
got involved with a band at Los Gatos Christian Church near San Jose and
began thinking about music as a career. A 1995 trip to Israel with his
family served as a catalyst for his move to Nashville, Alan said, although
the prodding of a friend was also instrumental.
"I came with the attitude that if I didn't try it I would always regret
it," Alan said. "I thought I would give it two years and the bosses at my
(graphic design) job were gracious enough to say that if it didn't work
out, that I would be welcomed back.
"A friend of mine from a previous band, Chris Schutz, had gone to Nashville
and worked as a sound engineer there," Alan continued. "He would call me
from time to time and tell me, 'If you move, you could play here.' And
while I was enjoying what I did, I wasn't affecting culture. Meanwhile, I
was playing in a band, but I didn't feel like I was fully giving my talents
to God."
After moving to Nashville in September 1996, Alan reconnected with Schutz,
who in turn directed him to Big Tent Revival, a Memphis-based Christian
band. He auditioned with Big Tent Revival in December 1996 and a month
later he was asked to become the new keyboard player for the band, playing
Memphis Blues (blues rock).
Alan met Heil and they performed together during Big Tent Revival's Out of
Eden tour. The two were band members until Heil left Big Tent in 1999 to
perform for Sonicflood. During that time, Alan met his wife, Tamara,
an attorney and agent for Christian music performers, and the two were
married in December 1998. The two are expecting their first child in July.
In early 2000, Alan left Big Tent Revival. The band folded a few months
later. Alan performed with two music groups that summer, although he
admitted, "I had no idea where God was taking me." While Alan pondered his
future, Sonicflood was going through a breakup that left Heil
without a band.
Heil and Alan began discussing the idea of revamping Sonicflood and
they
eventually met up with Brett Vargason, Tom Michael and Todd Shay of the
Nashville-based John Cox Band. The five have been together since then,
signing with In The World Not Of It (INO) Music and putting out its
"Resonate" label last October. More importantly, they've melded
personalities quickly.
"It's so hard to find five guys who get along, so when you find three guys
who have played 15 years, it's a godsend," said Alan, whose graphic design
talents can be seen on Sonicflood's web site. "In all of the bands
I've been in, this is the most easy to get along band. We genuinely get
along well.
Alan continued, "The heart and goal of Sonicflood was to worship
God and point people to Him. I love playing music that's for God. And I've
got a wonderful wife who understands and supports me in doing this. She
understands the business side of it. There's no 'get rich quick' plan in
Christian music. You're not making the big bucks - there's a certain
trade-off. I could make more money sitting behind a computer, but we
know that by His strength and His will we can make it."
Sonicflood is traveling extensively this month as Christian
festival season kicks on. The band will play in a variety of venues,
including open concerts at these sites:
- Saturday, June 22: Logansport, Indiana - Cass County Fairgrounds
- Thursday, June 27: Irvine, California - Calvary Chapel
- Friday, June 28: Doswell, Virginia - Paramount's King's Dominion
Sonicflood will continue touring throughout July with concerts in
Garland, Texas (July 5); Hyannis, Massachusetts (July 10); Cincinnati, Ohio
(July 11); Lisle, Illinois (July 14); San Antonio, Texas (July 20); South
Haven, Mississippi (July 26); Montgomery, Alabama (July 27); Irvine,
California (July 28); Eureka, Missouri (July 29); and Grand Haven, Michigan
(July 31).
For more information on Sonicflood and its upcoming schedule, check
out the band's website, www.sonicflood.com.
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