Hudson-Taylors at High Kirk

Comprising of Brian Houston, Noel Richards and Wayne Drain, these gifted artists have entertained audiences all over the world since its formation in 2001.

Following their US Tour that summer, they were inspired to record together in Nashville ‘to see what happened’. The resulting album ‘Hurricane’ was released on the Kingsway label in February 2002. The guys then did various tours until the end of 2003, taking in the UK, Germany, Holland, Canada and USA.

The collaboration of a Welshman, Irishman and an American Cherokee/Scot has created a unique sound, which mixes the Celtic with rootsy elements of Country, Acoustic rock and Blues. The songs range from intimate ballads to the anthemic and express worship as well as something of God’s heart cry for the lost.

Each member of The Hudson Taylors brings a wealth of experience to the band. Noel Richards lives in Cobham, Surrey and is well known as a worship leader and writer of modern worship hymns and songs, which have been sung worldwide. He currently has 17 of his songs listed in the CCLI Top 500. Noel has performed in venues ranging from small town halls to stadiums, in more than 30 countries. In 1997, he organised the Champion of the World event at Wembley Stadium, which gathered 45,000 and in 2006 the Calling All Nations event at the Olympic Stadium Berlin, Germany. He has also recently appeared on BBC TV’s Songs of Praise programme, which regularly attracts 3 million viewers. Brian Houston has been writing and performing as a truly independent artist since he began his solo career and has consistently produced music of a standard that has led to him appearing with Van Morrison, Robert Plant, Chuck Berry and Elvis Costello. Hailed as “One of Britain’s Great Songwriters” by venerable BBC DJ Bob Harris, Houston has toured Europe and America with his live show being described as “unmissable”. Hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed ‘Masterpiece’, “Three feet from Gold” his latest album “Gospel Road” has been record of the year on radio in Ireland and received 10 out of 10 reviews and “album of the Year’ by BBC Radio Two producers and most requested song of the year with Glory Glory. A recent appearance for a US delegation led to him being invited to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC with President Barack Obama. Wayne Drain is married to June and lives in Russellville, Arkansas, USA, where he has pastored the Fellowship of Christians Church, for more than 35 years. Wayne is a worship leader and songwriter who appeared on numerous albums on the Scripture in Song label throughout the 1980s. Since then he has been published by Kingsway Music and has released several albums on that label. The latest is “Treasures” a collection of some of his best loved songs, released in 2004.

Doors open for the trio’s High Kirk gig at 7.30 on the 25th. Looking forward to it, a spokesperson for the Church said: “Come and join us for this forthcoming concert in High Kirk which promises to be a fantastic evening of praise, worship and fellowship for ALL ages.”

“Brian Houston in particular is no stranger to High Kirk. Many people will recall the fantastic evening we had at the concert he headlined in aid of Haiti last year.”

The spokesperson continued: “Cost has been kept to a bare minimum at £5 per ticket with under-16s getting in for FREE. By all means invite those within the church but thinking of our forthcoming evangelism training “The church has left the building!” We believe this is an opportunity for you to invite other people who know who may not ordinarily go to Church.”

Tickets can be obtained from High Kirk Church office (2564 4834) or by calling Gordon Montgomery on 07838 184 116 e-mail [email protected]