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A mixture of talent, hard work, and unwavering Christian faith has earned Take 6 a place as one of the best-loved groups in both Christian and secular music circles. With an international tour in the works, the members of Take 6 will be not only be showing off their vocal dexterity, but also their instrumental prowess, playing a selection of instruments supplied by Yamaha. "We're really excited about this tour," noted bass vocalist Alvin Chea, "Since we're singing and playing instruments, our challenge is to be vocally and instrumentally locked and to reproduce the magic onstage." Group members include, in addition to Chea, David Thomas, Mark Kibble, Cedric Dent, Claude V. McKnight III and Joey Kibble (who replaced Mervyn Warren in 1991). McKnight and Kibble formed a vocal group at Huntsville, Alabama's Oakwood College in the early 1980's, which morphed into the Take 6 when singer/arranger Warren joined in 1985. "We're all primary keyboardists," he adds, "so the musical arrangements are keyboard oriented. J.D. Blair, a Yamaha drum artist, will also be in the lineup, and Claude even plays a Yamaha trombone." Yamaha instruments used on the album and scheduled to hit the road include: Motif 6, 7 and 8 synthesizers; an RS7000 music production studio; CS6R tone generator, RBX 370 bass; APX5A , APX5NA and LSX500C acoustic guitars; PAC812W electric guitars; and an WX5 MIDI wind controller, among others. In addition, the band will use an AW4416 digital audio workstation to record live shows and to lay down song ideas while on tour. "We've got firm dates in Japan and Europe," Chea adds. "Our U.S. dates are dependent upon the release of the record, which is set to drop May 21st. Right now, we're in rehearsals and pre-production for the tour, and Japan will really be a dry run." After signing with Nashville's Reunion label in 1988 and recording Doo Be Doo Wop Bop! , Take 6 was picked up by Warner Brothers' Reprise label, quickly garnering two Grammy Awards with multiple appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Their fresh, unique sound caught the attention of those outside the Christian market, and the group went on to record and appear with musical luminaries that include Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. The 1994 release Join the Band found Take 6 using instrumental backing for the first time. Brothers, So Cool , and We Wish You a Merry Christmas followed, resulting in multiple Grammy and Dove awards. Take 6 has appeared on various television entertainment programs and high-profile commercials. Their harmonies have been the foundation for vocal patch samples for several musical instrument products, including the Yamaha MOTIF and PSR portable keyboards. "We've had a wonderful experience working with Yamaha through the years," notes Chea, "and we're happy to have them on board for this project. Any one piece of their gear could run this show. The quality, sounds, and road-worthiness all speak for themselves." "So far, the good Lord has smiled on us. Everything has lined up." |
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