CHRISTIAN ROCK CONCERT TO BENEFIT

HAITI RELIEF FUND

NORCROSS, GA – In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, Simpsonwood United Methodist Church (Simpsonwood UMC ) is hosting a Christian rock concert on February 6, 2010, and all proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief Fund set up by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  The concert will feature the Micah Watson Band and the Oswald Brothers, a Norcross-based band sensation.  The double-header concert will be held in the Howard Family Life Center at Simpsonwood UMC.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with warm-up music by the Simpsonwood Youth Praise Band. 

“We all wish there was more we could do for the people in Haiti.  Hopefully, we will exceed our goal of $10,000 and provide substantial support to help those in need," said Matt Parker, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Simpsonwood UMC.  “Additionally, we are enthusiastic about highlighting the work of these two bands for such a worthy cause,” Parker added.  This is the third annual concert hosted by Simpsonwood UMC Youth Ministries.  In February 2008, Grammy-nominated and 2007 Dove Award winning Rock Artist of the Year DecembeRadio performed at Simpsonwood UMC followed by House of Thomas and Ambright in February 2009. 

            With a combination of artfully crafted lyrics and unique songwriting, it’s hard to believe the Micah Watson Band has been together for less than three years. In that short time, they’ve had amazing opportunities to play across several states and earn recommendation from leading Christian songwriters, speakers, and the churches and events they’ve visited. As a worship band, they’ve created a vast repertoire of music – from original and popular contemporary songs, to praise choruses and hymn remixes. This variety has proven itself both in short worship services and in long concerts.

            Since 2004, Micah and members of the band (Joe Blount, Jason Gardner, and Steve Day) have led worship at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, VA. In May of 2005, their passion for worship led them to consider traveling. In the past two years, they’ve booked events all around Virginia, as well as Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

            The band just completed their latest project “Glorious Unveiling” with Double-O Records and Chicago Mastering, and officially released this second CD in January 2008. God is already blessing the band through the album, and they have begun booking events for the upcoming year. With big things on the horizon, the Micah Watson Band looks forward to what God has planned.

           Micah Watson Band will be joined The Oswald Brothers, a local band from Norcross, GA.  Although The Oswald Brothers only started their band two years ago and played their first concert in March 2008, this group of brothers has already received a remarkable amount of national exposure and attention.  The Oswald Brothers love playing music together and say the best part of being in a band is being in a band with your brothers.  The band got their start in a local “Battle of the Bands” competition.  After just a few hours of preparation, the boys put together a 30- minute set and won second place in the competition … and The Oswald Brothers were officially formed.  This past Christmas, the band was featured in a Singing Face-Off on CBS’s “The Early Show”.  The band placed third nationally, performing live and broadcast across the country.  The Oswald Brothers perform regularly at local churches, youth groups, and other venues.

Tickets are $5 and available by calling (770) 441-2181 or online at www.simpsonwoodyouth.com.

            If you’d like more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Matt Parker, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 770-441-2181 (ext. 305) or e-mail Matt at mparker@simpsonwoodumc.org.  If you would like more information about the Haiti Relief Effort through UMCOR, please visit their website at www.umcor.com or you may contact the Simpsonwood UMC office at 770-441-2181.

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