The Upper Room, a 300 seat Christian “coffeehouse” concert venue in Mission Viejo, California, will be hosting the iconic Christian Rock band from the 70’s and 80’s, Sweet Comfort Band on Saturday, January 31, 2015.
“This marks the first concert of the band’s much anticipated reunion tour, which celebrates the release of their new album ‘The Waiting is Over‘. This will be the band’s first project since 1984,” said Upper Room co-founder, Ron Strand, a Southern California Christian businessman.
Sweet Comfort was formed and first performed in Riverside, California in 1973 on the heels of The Jesus Movement in Southern California. The band’s original line-up consisted of keyboardist and lead vocalist, Bryan Duncan, and brothers Kevin (bass guitar) and Rick (drums/vocals) Thomson. The band was the brainchild of the Thomson brothers. Guitarist and vocalist Randy Thomas joined the group around 1976.
“While most early Jesus Music bands of the time were performing folk/rock music, Sweet Comfort’s emergence onto the Christian music scene was identified as jazzy, funk/fusion, which was punctuated by Duncan’s unique vocals. The musicianship of the four members was far superior to many of the other Christian bands of that time”, said Strand.
Kevin Thomson, Randy Thomas, Bryan Duncan, Rick Thomson, The original Sweet Comfort Band; Photo Courtesy of Dan Wooding.
“The current line-up consists of original members Bryan Duncan, Rick Thomson and Randy Thomas. Sadly, Kevin Thomson passed away on May 30, 2010 after a long illness”.
Subsequent to Sweet Comfort’s disbanding, the members went their separate ways. Bryan Duncan carved out a very successful solo career and between from 1985 to 2012 released fourteen albums. He has won four Dove Awards and one Grammy Award. Duncan has also formed the NehoSoul Band, which has released three albums between the years 2004-2009. Duncan’s solo performances have always been in high demand where he delivers a high-energy concert that keeps fans coming back. Over the span of his career, Duncan has sold over one-million records.
In 1984 along with Bob Carlisle and Sam Scott, Randy Thomas formed the Christian rock band ALLIES. They spent nine years between 1984-1993 doing concerts and recording six albums. The band’s debut was self-titled. The most successful Allies recording was “Long way from Paradise” with two number-1 singles: “Devil Is a Liar” and “Take Me Back“.
During this period, Thomas and Carlisle became a well-known songwriting team. The first country song they penned was the 1989 Dolly Parton number 1 song “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That“. Perhaps Thomas’ biggest success came in 1997 when he and Carlisle co-wrote the song “Butterfly Kisses.” The song was recorded by Carlisle and skyrocketed to Number 1 in the US in both Christian and Country radio markets. The song also earned both a Grammy and a Dove Award for Song of The Year.
See an early recording of “Get Ready” –
In 1987, Rick Thomson toured the country for a year as the drummer for The Benny Hester Band. During that time he also began to write and co-produce a compilation album called “Voices“, which was released on Myrrh Records. That album contained numerous hits and featured prominent CCM artist notables such as Bob Carlisle, Bryan Duncan, John Elefante, Howard McCrary, Tata Vega and Matthew Ward. Thomson also built a state-of-the-are recording studio where many notable Christian and secular bands have recorded. Rick is also a successful businessman and general contractor in the Southern California area.
In January, 2010, the wife of Rick Thomson reported online that he, Randy Thomas, and Bryan Duncan were in the studio for the first time in over twenty-five years, having written several new songs.
“The concert at The Upper Room in Mission Viejo, CA will be their kick-off reunion concert. The release of ‘The Waiting Is Over‘ will mark the band’s seventh album since 1977″, Strand revealed.
He added, “We were contacted by a representative of the Sweet Comfort Band with the idea of launching their Southern California reunion concert at The Upper Room. We are honored that they have chosen The Upper Room as their kick-off venue. Bryan Duncan appeared at The Upper Room as a solo artist in 2013. Bryan’s concert at The Upper Room was an incredible evening. We are really looking forward to having Sweet Comfort on the Upper Room Stage”.
Soul-shaking and inspiring music from the Sweet Comfort Band is sure to make for an unforgettable night of music. Tickets are $15 and are available for purchase online at www.TheUpperRoomPresents.com.
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