Alan Wemple
It was almost inevitable that music would become a passion for young Alan growing up in San Jose, California-it was in his home and in his blood. Whether it was the classical music and big band sounds on the radio, dad\'s boogie-woogie \'chops\' on the piano, or the rock n\' roll on TV, he was surrounded by a variety of styles. \"My family was musical, too; dad played keys and sang, mom sang, sister played guitar, one grandmother played guitar and sang, and the other wrote songs and directed children in school Christmas plays. I guess I was doomed from the start!\"
His musical development started as a teenager singing in the church choir alongside mom and dad, then taking up bass guitar and playing along with the folk music group on Sundays. Although he developed a love for church music-choral and contemporary folk- the spiritual element was missing. It was contemporary Christian music which changed that. \"A college classmate set me up with Phil Keaggy\'s album \'What a Day\'. The first time I listened to the title song the joy in the air become so palpable I could almost cut it with a knife!\" That sound, coupled with Keaggy\'s scripture-based lyrics, took Alan back to the bible to personally check out its message. In a short time he discovered what was missing- a personal relationship with God. \"For the first time I realized that I needed Christ in my life. When I embraced Him not only as the Savior and Lord, but as my Savior and Lord, His life started changing my life in wonderful ways.\" One of them, of course, was music.
Immediately God began to guide and provide for Alan\'s development in music. First, it had always been a fairly selfish pursuit for Alan, but he began to learn the key principle of stewardship that revolutionized his life as a musician. \"When I realized that my musical abilities were a gift from God, and He expected me to develop and use them for Him and for others, that\'s when I started to truly grow as a musician.\" Next, Alan discovered the joy of musical partnership when he met and married Elaine. \"I was so blessed to be married to this lovely lady, and guess what? She also just happened to have a beautiful voice and is a natural with harmonies. Does God know what He\'s doing or what?\" Also, Alan benefited from the mentoring of other believers along the way. He learned faithfulness and teamwork playing bass alongside other members of the band Common Ground, which played in church as well as public venues. One of the band mates showed Alan how to play guitar, too, starting with three chords and a finger picking pattern. As he developed on guitar and vocals, God began to open doors of opportunity. \"We began to see that as we were faithful to use our abilities, God was faithful to give us more opportunities.\" Next thing you know, Alan and Elaine were leading worship at church. Whether as a duet or leading a team, they\'ve been privileged to serve this way in a variety of different churches. \"As a result of our worship experiences in several different types of churches- Baptist, Nazarene, Foursquare, Christian Church, Episcopal, independent, Calvary Chapel, and others -we have an appreciation for the diversity and a passion for the unity of all God\'s people in Christ.\"
Then creativity came calling, and Alan began to write songs. At first it was personal worship songs, then worship songs for church. Over time he\'s also written some for weddings, vacation bible schools, Christian school, and public school. \"This was a complete surprise. I had never desired this, and no one had ever taught me how to compose a song; granted they were very simple pieces, but there I was putting lyrics to music. It was and still is amazing!\"
Formal training, both musical and spiritual, enhanced Alan\'s development as well. He completed his bachelor\'s degree, in Bible and Theology, at San Jose Bible College (now William Jessup University); he subsequently served as a Pastor in Oregon for several years. \"My experiences, in the classroom as well as the ministry, have helped me as a songwriter to pen lyrics that are faithful to scripture and compassionate toward people. They also prepared me to be able to share God\'s truth in a thoughtful way between songs during worship or concert.\" While in Oregon, Alan was able to complete a couple years of music classes at Southern Oregon University, focusing on vocal performance. Although his singing lessons produced the more immediate positive result, the acquired music theory has generated a longer-lasting effect. \"The quality and variety of my songwriting has strongly improved; for me it was comparable to a black and white artist being given a color palette to paint with!\"
Finally, two breakthroughs occurred recently. First, as happens occasionally, a few months apart Alan was invited to bring the Sunday morning message for the vacationing pastor. However, with the pastor\'s blessing, he and Elaine brought the message in the form of several original songs. At the close of each service, Alan gave an invitation-with \"If God Is For Us\" the first time, and \"You Will Find Rest\" the second- and was shocked to see the number of people who had come forward to pray at the close of the service. \"People had told us many times that our worship leading was a blessing to them. But we were amazed and humbled at how God had used us, and our own songs, to minister encouragement to our listeners, and cause them to seek Him.\" Second, after moving to California, God opened the door to record some of those songs. After hearing Alan sing and play an original for Elaine at their 25th wedding anniversary -\"Fifty Means Twenty-Five\"-a guest was so impressed that they offered to pay for a recording of not only that one, but a whole CD! It turned into an opportunity to record with one of contemporary Christian music\'s pioneers, Sacramento-based singer, songwriter, and producer Bob Kilpatrick. The project-by design-combined the musical efforts of nationally-known artists Kilpatrick, Michael Roe (77\'s and Lost Dogs), and Dave Raven; local session artists Manuel Luz, Michael Sharps, and Steven Randal; even family members and youth group players were able to contribute. \"The CD captured the best songs I had written at that time with all the people I wanted to work with. What a dream come true!\" The album-true to their experience-contains several worship songs (\"Favorite Song\", \"It\'s Not About Me\", \"Elohim\", \"Yahweh\"), songs of encouragement (\"If God Is For Us\", \"For Everyone\", \"You Will Find Rest\"), and songs of testimony (\"Jesus Is the Rock\", \"Fifty Means Twenty-Five\", \"Champion\").
Alan and Elaine continue to serve in their local church-Calvary Fellowship Rio Vista-and have added a bass player/drummer to their worship team who is very close to their hearts, high school son John. They share their music locally and, as opportunity permits, out of the area. Alan is currently working on songs for the next recording. \"God has blessed us in so many ways already, but I think the best pieces are yet to come.\"
Influences
J.S. Bach, Charles Wesley, Genesis, Dan Fogelberg, Phil Keaggy, John Michael Talbot, Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts, lots of Maranatha artists, Petra, Michael Card, Paul Clark, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Chris Tomlin, Hillsongs, Matt Redman