Music has been a major part of life's passion for as long as I can remember--well, at least since 1971. This page will have some of favorite songs, original and otherwise! (NOTE: The picture above is the Saphire Blue reunion at the Sam Rayburn High School 1979 30th high school reunion in 2009--Justin Elder, Sam Harrah, Rusty Gibson, Mike Finster [on drums], Chuck Pitts, J.P. Spees--Sorry, Donovan Baker that you got cropped off!)
Original Worship Songs
Here are four songs that we recorded a few years ago. Like this website, I called the EP, "Prodigal's Memory."
Thanks to Rusty Gibson, Mike Finster, J.P. Spees, Melody Riddler, Julie Elder, Karen Isenhower, and Kirstin Zoch for your help with this recording. Thanks also to Shana Aitken, Karl Whitehead, and Karl Johnson for the development of these songs.
Spirit Wind Songs (about 1980-1981)
In the last couple of years in high school into the first two years of college, I was part of a Christian rock band called Spirit Wind (later called Conqueror). We recorded these songs as a demo, I think in 1980, but could be 1981. I think that these are all songs that I wrote, although Barbara Bernhard wrote the lyrics for "I Know." Arnold Carpenter did a lot of writing and arranging as well. Thanks to my friends in the band, whom I loved and still love! Thanks, guys. These were: Barbara Bernhard on vocals, myself on lead guitars, Arnold Carpenter on guitar and vocals (including the great second lead on "I Know"--channeling his inner-CCR), Dennis Black on bass guitar, Brett Boynton on drums, and Ken Durham on a little of everything (mostly sound technician).
Worship Song Demos
These are rough demos of a couple of my favorite original worship songs. I recorded these at Rusty Gibson's home studio. Rusty also added bass guitar and percussion to the recording. Sorry, but I did the singing. It's a little painful, but I really like the songs. Thanks, Rusty, my life-long friend!
"Rest for Your Souls" (written by Chuck Pitts/performed by Fire Escape)
I wrote this song in 1982, after taking a course on the Book of Jeremiah from Dr. Al Collins (RIP) at Houston Baptist University (See Jer 6:14-16). Later in the 1980s, my friends in the band, Fire Escape, played the song--and recorded it. Thanks, Rusty Gibson, Brian Turner, and Barbara Bernhard.
Saphire Blue Reunion, 30th High School Reunion
In the 8th and 9th grade (mostly 9th grade), we had a band called, Saphire Blue (yes, I know it's misspelled!). In the ninth grade, we were an inseparable group. We practiced constantly. We were pretty good. Unfortunately, Memorial Day weekend of that year, our drummer, Joe Herrera, suddenly died. Saphire Blue never really played again, other than a few one-off gigs. In 2009, Rusty Gibson and I reunited for a reunion show (of sorts) at our 30th high school reunion. Below, you will find a few links to videos from that event. It was fun. The band (pictured at the top of this page) was Rusty Gibson, Chuck Pitts, and Sam Harrah from the 1979 class of Sam Rayburn High School. Joining us were our friends Mike Finster, J.P. Spees, Justin Elder, and Donovan Baker. Thanks also to Shane Gibson for making the video!