OFIH, Williams bring Christmas alternative to The Summit

by Joshua Maloni
Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, November 30 - December 2, 2006

One Foot In Heaven at the Palace Theater.

Chances are, you’ve never heard an alt-rock version of “Amazing Grace.”

So too, when you think of “What Child Is This,” there probably isn’t a Jack Johnson beat playing in your head.

These creative interpretations, produced by local artists One Foot In Heaven and Tina Marie Williams, reflect a major shift in Christian music. Yesterday’s hymnals and barbershop-inspired medleys have been replaced by new rock and rock-folk alternatives.

“In the past 10 years, it’s gotten so much better,” Williams says. “They’re slowly getting the picture.”

The message is simple. Christian music is changing. It’s evolving. It’s less preaching, more screeching guitars. Performers – many of whom grew up as the Seattle grunge movement was birthed, with classic rock on the radio and arena tours in their back yard – are serious about putting forth a sound as good or better than anything offered on MTV.

“Christians are starting to care about what their music sounds like, which is good,” Williams says, stressing acts are original – not just campy alternatives.

Indeed, Williams and OFIH represent a fresh sound that’s gaining popularity in Western New York.

“In the case of Tina Marie Williams and One Foot in Heaven, they’re an example of a new breed or a new crop of artists that happen to be Christians, but who make music that everyone can love,” says Mark Weber of ChristianMusicMonthly.com.

Williams is the winner of the Kingdom Bound International Talent Search. She took the stage for a Christmas concert last week at the Palace Theater and wowed the crowd by creating a sound that filled the room as much as the five-member band that opened the show. Her smoky, full-bodied voice complemented her impressive guitar work to create the type of fun folk-rock Sheryl Crow used to make. When accompanied by OFIH – the Lockport event’s headliner – she found herself temporarily drowned out by the sound engineer’s affinity for drums. However, she simply adjusted her voice to rise above the competition. She wasn’t screaming, but simply demonstrating the power of her singing chops.

OFIH followed, and introduced fans to Vaughan, its new bass player and cousin to lead singer Nate and his brother, singer/drummer Joel. Together with guitarist Steve, the foursome’s sound is equal parts rock and soul. Like Williams, the band doesn’t shoot off fire and brimstone. Rather, it puts forth positive, well-made music and reflections on what God has done in their lives.

“That’s the most powerful way to get the message across,” Nate says. “If you’re preached at, you’re going to shut off.”

In between Christmas songs and original numbers, the band found time for a version of Adam Sandler’s “Chanukah Song,” “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls, and closed with “Run, Run Rudolph.”

For these artists, while the beat has changed, the Bible it’s based on hasn’t. Just because Christian music sounds different doesn’t mean its creators are any less spiritual.

“Culture and music as we know it are changing,” Joel says. “We’re getting back to sharing the Gospel; it’s getting back to what Jesus did.”

Acclaimed Buffalo record producer Richard Sargent manages OFIH. He says, “Their music personifies ‘The Word’. It preaches without preaching.”

Weber says that, when Williams and OFIH perform at places like Club Infinity in Buffalo, “That’s an example of taking what would be called ‘church music’ to the masses.” He says these musicians offer an alternative to the dark, depressing sounds of many of today’s rock stars. “They offer music tinged with hope and a message of encouragement.”

He explains that taking Christian music out of the four church walls is “the key to getting Christians out of a subculture box.”

Besides, “I think the responses are better in clubs than in some churches,” Joel says.

Williams and OFIH will perform as part of “An Evening of Christmas Spirit” on Sunday, Dec. 10, at The Summit, 6929 Williams Road, Wheatfield. From 3 to 10 p.m., seven acts will perform, including Tina at 8 and One Foot at 9 p.m.

For more information on the holiday show, call 297-0206 or visit www.summitniagara.com.