From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Swift
The Swift
The Swift Mike Simons (drums) and Matt Wilder (lead guitarist).
Regex, as they were known by locals, sounded like a teen
garage band at the time. Jason Williams was free from
any band obligations so he joined Regex as a rhythm
guitarist to give them a fuller sound. Britt Edwards was
asked to join the band after a party in the back yard of
a mutual friend, Christ Turner. A great musical shift in
the band occurred when Adam Stone was asked to join
and play drums (also Animal played for a short while
as well). This proved to be one of the greatest gifts to
Mike Simons. He moved to percussion and expressed his
giftedness in one of the meanest harmonica solos this
Background information side of Heaven. Over the next three years the 14 year
Origin Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S. old Simons would become an accomplished percussion-
ist, bassist, guitarist and even, a banjo player. Regex took
Genres Christian, Pop, Rock, Alternative
off in the local area and created a large fan base. As time
Years active 2001–2007 progressed, Britt Edwards had always felt a calling and al-
so was pursuing a solo ministry, which left Regex without
Members
a full-time front man.
Mike Simons - Vocals, Bass Second Nature, was also in the making and put two
Britt Edwards - Vocals, Piano Christ Denomination members back together. Dwayne
Matt Wilder - guitar
Coppedge and West Adams created a christian pop duo.
Guy Lemon - drums/percussion
With a lot of help and support from Britt Edwards, Se-
Past members cond Nature recorded soundtracks to perform live on
Trae Drose - Drums (until 2006) stage. In 1995, Second Nature traveled to Atlanta, Georgia
Chris Byers - Guitar (til 2003) to perform in the Atlanta-fest Artist Talent Competition
Justin Sharbono - Guitar (2004) where they won First Place. After AtlantaFest, Second Na-
ture needed to expand their ministry, sound and stage
The Swift was a contemporary Christian pop/rock band, presence. In a collaboration of talent, Pastor John Linton
originally formed in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in the helped to open another opportunity for these young mu-
late 1990s. sicians. Together with, West Adams, Dwayne Coppedge,
Matt Wilder, Mike Simons and Bo Faulkner "Zaccheus
History Tree" was formed. John Linton of Greenville, NC promot-
ed and managed the band as a mentor, financial advi-
In the early 1990s Britt Edwards, Jason Light, Dwayne sor and friend. With original music, strong vocals and
Coppedge, and West Adams were singing in the band powerful guitar ballads the bands ministry grew quickly.
Christ Denomination (or CD Boys). At times the band in- Mike Simons and Matt Wilder were still in High School,
vited such friends as Jason Brown (Sessoms) and Adam however Zaccheus Tree allowed them the chance to per-
Stone to perform with them. This was one of the first form not only on the local stage but on a much larger re-
Christian bands that Edwards would be in. Christ Denom- gional level. During the bands time together they min-
ination performed original songs as well as covers (DC istered and performed all over the Southeast. The band
Talk was a favorite). CD Boys split. Jason Light went on to was asked to open for several major christian artists,
be a sheriff’s deputy, marry his sweetheart, Ginger, and which offered the hope of a record deal. However, with
have two children. He is presently doing sales and serv- time conflicts and creative differences the band decided,
ing the Lord. Jason went on to start No Ticket, No Prob- together, to explore different musical avenues. Zaccheus
lem, a free concert that featured such artists as T-Bone, Tree ended in 1998. West Adams went on writing, singing
Christafari and The Swift. and performing, focusing on country and pop. Dwayne
While Christ Denomination was ending, Regeneration Coppedge joined, The Anchorman (A popular Southern
X was beginning in a local Baptist church with a few Gospel Group) and now is serving in a local church with
teens, Danny Daughtridge (vocals/bass/song writer), his wife and two children.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Swift
With Daughtridge and Edwards bandless the two they were exploring other opportunities and the worship
friends soon started meeting together and writing/ concert they gave would be the last performance of The
recording music. Jason Williams would join them in their Swift.
efforts at times. They called themselves "Puddleglum" af-
ter the C.S. Lewis character in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Chris Byers replaced Jason Williams and Phillip Wall was
Band members
brought in as a lead guitarist. Byers’ college buddy, Trae The band’s current lineup consists of:
Drose, became the permanent drummer around the same • Britt Edwards - piano and vocals (1998–present)
time. Danny Daughtridge left (and now performs as the • Matt Wilder - guitar (2004–present)
Danny Daughtridge Trio) and was replaced by Wall’s • Mike Simons - bass guitar and vocals (1998–present)
brother-in-law, Phil Sabella, who would later go on to • Guy Lemon - drums/percussion (2006–present)
form Oldmangrady with Lee Modlin and Joe Knowles.
Mike Simons joined as percussionist and vocalist. Phillip Former members
Wall left to attend seminary and the band continued as a • Chris Byers - guitar (1998–2004)
four-piece. As the band began to tour, it gained popular- • Justin Sharbono - guitar (2004)
ity which fueled the need for original music and a record • Trae Drose - drums/percussion(1998–2006)
label.
In 2002, the group was given the opportunity to sign
on with Flicker Records and changed their name to The Discography
Swift. That same year the band released their self-titled
album which produced two top ten Contemporary Chris- Studio albums
tian hits: "Under The Sun" and "More Than Gold." Short- • The Swift (2002)
ly after their album release, The Swift picked up touring • Today (2004)
dates opening up for the popular Christian band, Mercy • Singing Back to You (2006)[1]
Me. Early 2004 brought about a line-up change. Guitarist
Chris Byers decided to leave the band and was replaced Indie albums
by Justin Sharbono (formerly of Superchic[k] fame). The • Greatest Hits (as Puddleglum) (1999)
Swift then released their second album entitled Today. • Strange (as Puddleglum) (2001)
After only seven months with the band, guitarist
Sharbono left the band to pursue other interests. In order
to fill the void, the band decided to reach back into their References
hometown and added guitarist Matt Wilder (also from [1] Jesusfreakhideout.com: The Swift, "Today" Review
Zaccheus Tree) to the roster in December 2004. Drummer
Trae Drose announced his decision to leave the band in
May 2006. He has been recently replaced by Guy Lemon. External links
In 2006, the band broke with Flicker Records and • Band Homepage
signed with Rocketown Records and released a softer, • The Swift albums on PlanetWisdom
more contemplative album, Singing Back to You. At the Life
Conference in Orlando, Florida the band announced that
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Swift&oldid=440660646"
Categories:
• American Christian musical groups
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