Feb 3, 2013: Cross Rhythms: Wayne Drain: From the Jesus Movement, to Scripture In Song, to The Hudson Taylors
Tony Cummings spoke to a seminal figure in the development of modern worship music, WAYNE DRAIN
Tony Cummings spoke to a seminal figure in the development of modern worship music, WAYNE DRAIN
Wayne Drain was born in a small town in the foothills of the majestic Ozark Mountains located in a bend of the Arkansas River aptly called Ozark, Arkansas. With a Scottish-Cherokee heritage, he had two strong passions running through him; sports and music. As a young boy his love for music competed with his love of sports. He played in the Ozark High School band and local rock bands while lettering in basketball, baseball, golf, and track. He came from a very religious family who told him from an early age that he was "called" to do something significant for God.
At 13, something amazing happened; on a Sunday night in February of 1964, he saw something that would forever impact his life. It was four young men who called themselves the Beatles. From the moment he switched on the Ed Sullivan show that Sunday evening, he was captured by their music. The handwriting was on the wall. although he would continue to play sports as a hobby, music would take priority.
Wayne played in local bands that became quite popular in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He even charted a local hit from the cover tune, "Knock on Wood" at the age of 15. By 16 Wayne was playing concerts and dance parties every free weekend he wasn't participating in varsity sports. At 19 he landed a lead vocalist job with a college band called "Summerfield." The band went on to know regional success breaking into the southern college circuit. Summerfield began to play songs written by Wayne and Managers and investors began to call.
During that same time, Wayne began to go to church with a girlfriend. He considered himself a Christian and a fairly good guy. He even read the bible and prayed. But a piece was missing. He began to listen to the few Contemporary Christian albums some friends had. At a time that "break through" seemed to be just around the corner for the band, Wayne had an encounter with God.
On the way home from a nightclub performance, a series of thoughts began to play in Wayne's head like a tape stuck on re-play. "You're about to make the big time! You'll have all the money, girls, and fame you could ever want. You can have it all!" But you'll have to give up this Jesus stuff. Wayne had heard that voice before. It was the voice that encouraged him to do things he knew he shouldn't It was the voice he usually heard just before he got in trouble. At that moment on a stretch of highway between Fort Smith and Russellville, Arkansas, Wayne pulled the van over and called out in prayer to Jesus. That night he surrendered his plans and hopes for musical success and fully expected to be bored for God singing "Just A I Am" in some small church for the rest of his life. He didn't know that God had greater plans.
In the next few months Wayne got caught up in the "Jesus Movement" that was sweeping across America. From the spring of 1972 through the autumn of 1973, he saw several hundred students become Christians on the Arkansas Tech. University campus. He began to write songs about his faith and was soon being invited to sing in coffee houses and high schools in the area. Wayne met others with similar experiences on the coffee house/outdoor festival circuit developing at the time. His fellow travelers were people like Russ Taff and the Sounds of Joy, The 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, and Paul Clark to mention a few.
No one was in it for the money or fame in those days. It was all about something higher. It was about playing music for someone else's glory. It was about using music as a tool to get a message out that a lovesick father sent his only son to seek and save all those broken, lonely people who were looking for some meaning and purpose for their lives.
Wayne and his new bride, June, decided they would commit their lives to doing and being whatever the Lord would have for them. A church of students grew up around their home that later would be called Fellowship of Christians. That was many years ago. Today, that encounter with God has opened the door for Wayne to travel to 30+ nations and play his music in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world.
Today, it's still about playing music for someone else's glory and singing the story of a lovesick father calling his children home. From leading worship before 45,000 people to singing in a friend's living room, Wayne has remained passionate about worshipping the one to whom all glory is due...Jesus Christ.
At 13, something amazing happened; on a Sunday night in February of 1964, he saw something that would forever impact his life. It was four young men who called themselves the Beatles. From the moment he switched on the Ed Sullivan show that Sunday evening, he was captured by their music. The handwriting was on the wall. although he would continue to play sports as a hobby, music would take priority.
Wayne played in local bands that became quite popular in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He even charted a local hit from the cover tune, "Knock on Wood" at the age of 15. By 16 Wayne was playing concerts and dance parties every free weekend he wasn't participating in varsity sports. At 19 he landed a lead vocalist job with a college band called "Summerfield." The band went on to know regional success breaking into the southern college circuit. Summerfield began to play songs written by Wayne and Managers and investors began to call.
During that same time, Wayne began to go to church with a girlfriend. He considered himself a Christian and a fairly good guy. He even read the bible and prayed. But a piece was missing. He began to listen to the few Contemporary Christian albums some friends had. At a time that "break through" seemed to be just around the corner for the band, Wayne had an encounter with God.
On the way home from a nightclub performance, a series of thoughts began to play in Wayne's head like a tape stuck on re-play. "You're about to make the big time! You'll have all the money, girls, and fame you could ever want. You can have it all!" But you'll have to give up this Jesus stuff. Wayne had heard that voice before. It was the voice that encouraged him to do things he knew he shouldn't It was the voice he usually heard just before he got in trouble. At that moment on a stretch of highway between Fort Smith and Russellville, Arkansas, Wayne pulled the van over and called out in prayer to Jesus. That night he surrendered his plans and hopes for musical success and fully expected to be bored for God singing "Just A I Am" in some small church for the rest of his life. He didn't know that God had greater plans.
In the next few months Wayne got caught up in the "Jesus Movement" that was sweeping across America. From the spring of 1972 through the autumn of 1973, he saw several hundred students become Christians on the Arkansas Tech. University campus. He began to write songs about his faith and was soon being invited to sing in coffee houses and high schools in the area. Wayne met others with similar experiences on the coffee house/outdoor festival circuit developing at the time. His fellow travelers were people like Russ Taff and the Sounds of Joy, The 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, and Paul Clark to mention a few.
No one was in it for the money or fame in those days. It was all about something higher. It was about playing music for someone else's glory. It was about using music as a tool to get a message out that a lovesick father sent his only son to seek and save all those broken, lonely people who were looking for some meaning and purpose for their lives.
Wayne and his new bride, June, decided they would commit their lives to doing and being whatever the Lord would have for them. A church of students grew up around their home that later would be called Fellowship of Christians. That was many years ago. Today, that encounter with God has opened the door for Wayne to travel to 30+ nations and play his music in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world.
Today, it's still about playing music for someone else's glory and singing the story of a lovesick father calling his children home. From leading worship before 45,000 people to singing in a friend's living room, Wayne has remained passionate about worshipping the one to whom all glory is due...Jesus Christ.
