If you have been reading [ WM ] Worship Musician for any length of time it is no secret that I really like the band We The Kingdom . They are a throwback to some classic rock sensibilities mixed with evangelical lyrics . I used to describe them as Little House on the Praire was born again and discovered country rock the same week . We have featured them on the cover two times before and this time we had a Zoom call with the three younger members of the band - Martin , Andrew and Franni on their tour bus to discuss their new Live From the Ryman album . I believe you will find out once again why this band is so popular with not only myself but with our readers too .
[ WM ] The first song to open this live concert is a surprising way to start . About one minute into the tune “ Left It in the Water ”, I am thinking , “ Hey , this sounds a lot like something the Doobie Brothers would do .” What a fun and great tune . Then you morph into a moment of “ Proud Mary ” and switch right into “ Johnny B . Goode ”. I have seen a lot of mainstream bands that after two encores – they have run out of tunes , so they pull out the classic “ Johnny B . Goode ” cover song . You started
We The Kingdom - Left It In The Water / Proud Mary / Johnny B . Goode ( Live From The Ryman ) ( Audio )
the concert there . How did that unique opener come about ?
[ Franni ] Yes . So for the “ Johnny B . Goode ” part . That was the first song my grandfather taught my Dad ( Ed Cash ) and my Uncle ( Scott Cash ) on the guitar . After work he would come home . I mean , it ’ s weird for me to tell the story . Martin should probably tell this . ( laughing ) I didn ’ t see it . I just heard about it . ( laughing )
[ Martin ] That ’ s funny . Scott usually tells this story live , where his Dad came home after work ( he worked in business as a salesman and then eventually worked his way up ) so he was always in super business-like attire . So he had a nice pressed button down shirt . But then he ’ d take his pants off to get comfy for some reason . ( laughing ) So he still had boxers on ( his Brooks Brothers boxers ) but he said they were almost as white as his thighs were ‘ cause he was super pale . ( laughing ) He would strap on an electric gutiar and walk around the house playing “ Johnny B Goode ”.
So I think that song for us has just been nostalgic ‘ cause he kind of introduced music to our family . It was the first song that I ever learned on guitar . Played it at my first guitar recital . So yes , I think the thought behind opening the night was it ’ s special to us and it ’ s kind of cool to start your set with a medley cover thing , you know ? We came out singing one of our songs , but then just to get the crowd involved . It was fun . We really enjoyed playing it .
[ WM ] I thought it signals to the crowd that it ’ s OK to have some fun at this “ Christian concert ” you know ?
[ Andrew ] Yes .
[ WM ] And how does the audience respond to it ?
Andrew , Ed , Franni , Scott & Martin
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