The time; 6:55pm, the place; the basement’s stage of B.B. Kings Restaurant & Blues Club in Nashville, TN.  Nearly a hundred people had gathered at this point to hear some great Christian artist showcase there talents. Sound checks completed, instruments out and ready, it was now 5 minutes before show time. Then, without warning and for no apparent reason, a flood. Not a flood of people, though that original hundred fans were still growing. This flood was a flood of water, bubbling out of the floor. A flood of sewer water to be exact. Needless to say, it wasn’t a pretty sight and most of us can imagine the smell without much effort.  Nerves that were already on edge were heightened a bit more knowing something had to be done.  Would the show get canceled? Would we have to endure the water and smell?  Then, what were the artists going to do now? This was not a comfortable setting at all.  I had a rather good seat, up front, near the incoming flood of sewer water I might add.  My cameras were out and ready when the announcement came… “Folks… we are moving the show upstairs to the main stage”. 

Now, you have to understand something. We were at BB King’s, a rather amazing, and well, rather secular Blue’s Club in downtown Nashville, TN.  The clubs normal groups of patrons had already been seated to eat some great food and to  watch and listen to the house band crank on some Muddy Waters tunes (Muddy Waters was an amazing Blues artist, Google him, you will enjoy). We, the basement stage dwellers had just come to hear several Christian artists that had rented the basement stage for their showcases in conjunction with the GMA (Gospel Music Assoc.) event that was in town that week.  Suddenly, we were kicking the house band off the main stage, mingling with the hundred or so Club patrons up stairs. Little did they know that instead of hearing the Blues, they were going to get some serious (Son)shine that evening in the form of a great, all girl band from Colorado called the Sonflowerz. God has a way of getting his word out there.  He did it again at BB Kings this fine evening.  Read on!

This is the point where I became acquainted and highly impressed with two young ladies from Colorado Springs.  Becca and Elissa of the Sonflowerz. Needless to say, having to move all your stuff, band gear and all, then, mentally prepare for a new crowd, a crowd not prepared for a musical genre switch could have given even a seasoned performer jitters.  What I did noticed from these two ladies was a calm in the midst of the hassle that night. Now, after talking to them more, I understand how they could stay so calm. “God is in control and he works everything out for His purpose”.  Becca was very clear about that during our phone conversation as I recounted the events of that evening. “God had a plan for that night. And, who knows who was exposed to Christ through the artist testimonies or the songs we sang. God can use anything, even a flooded basement”.

Becca went on to tell us about an outdoor concert her and Elissa performed in the UK.  It was a run down part of town, in a neighborhood that had really seen better days. This concert was meant to be an outreach to this neighborhood. They were under a tent and it was raining. There were several Jr. High age boys and girls there from the neighborhood. Well, seems as if these kids thought it would be fun to unplug the power from all the outlets several times during the concert. Rain, outside, a tent and Jr. High kids, loosing power ever little bit makes the issue at BB Kings pale in comparison. However, they made it clear there are tons more stories where that one came from.  Make sure you ask them in person when you see them in concert this summer!

Now, lets back-track a bit. Way back!  Elissa and Becca’s Mom is from Britain. Both of the girls, very close in age were born in Texas.  ”England is our second home; we kind of grew up there.  We have a ton of friends there and we go back as many times we can”. They are duel citizens of both the U.S and Britain.  Had asked them why that really had no hint of a British accent at all.  There response was, “well, our Texas accent cancels it out” I laughed… why?  Well, because it just made sense.

Getting into music seemed second nature to them. With a Father who played guitar and had them around the house the sisters were exposed to music at an early age. Elissa started getting serious about writing songs around the age of 14.  “Guitar gave us/me away to worship God”. She would spend hours in her room, by herself, writing and singing songs she had wrote to God in her own, personal worship sessions.  Her first was a song called “Use Me” So at 14; she had started herself down the path that would lead her and Becca to where they are today, being used by God in a real way.

The girls Youth Pastor as well as their Father played key rolls in motivating Elissa to get up and perform her songs for her youth group that first time.  Being young and shy makes it hard to do much of anything in front of a group of people, but to get up and sing  in front of your peers, at 14, that can be a real challenge. Thank God for a Youth Pastor and father who nurtured the talent of these young ladies. (Just a side note to all you Youth Pastors and leaders out there;  Water your teen gift’s; encourage them to share their talents. You never know what might grow out of it)

Now, the Sonflowerz have come a LONG way from those days in the bedroom with Dads guitar.  I’d say opening for Third Day is a LONG way from that. They had been asked to be the opening band for an outreach trip to the UK, sponsored by Ignite. They are also leading worship for a teen girl’s conference sponsored by Ignite as well during that same trip.  Elissa told us that this type of ministry is a new concept in the UK. “Here the states we have several large out reach organizations for teens and women. That is not the case there in the UK. We are excited to be apart of this outreach event Ignite is putting on and thrilled to be opening for Third Day”. We open up for them on June 3rd at The Forum in London. Please remember them in your prayers for that week as they open for Third Day and lead worship in the girls youth conference.

This summer brings a ton of events where you can see the Sonflowerz:

They will be performing at: Spirit Fest West Coast - Creation Fest East & West - NightVision Fest in OLATHE, CO and the Atlanta Fest. They are also booking concerts in areas around the festivals that span from the East to West coast. Make sure you check their website for where they are performing.  Better yet, hit up your Youth Pastor or Church and have them book the Sonflowerz for your church or event. To book the Sonflowerz, follow this link: http://www.sonflowerz.com/youthpastor

Their newest single on the new album “More Then I Think I Am” God gave us the ability to be far more then we ever thought possible; Make sure you check out this great song!

Now, here’s what needs to happen!  Check out their awesome website, listen to the clips, and then buy their great new CD that just released called “All Over the World” It is amazing! I’ve had the chance to listen to the entire CD and just love it.  You will too!

Thank you Elissa and Becca for being a featured Artist on Godbeat.com! Keep us updated! You are both a huge blessing!

You can follow the Sonflowerz on Myspace as well as Facebook.  You can find the links to those on their website as well as tons of other great information about them at: http://www.sonflowerz.com

But, before you go, make sure you listen  the ENTIRE title track from the Sonflowerz album.  “All Over The World” Just hit the play button!

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 Story by Jeffrey Myers, Godbeat.com. Photos with the exception of The Sonflowerz promo photo done by Jeff Myers

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