DC Talk, Jennifer Knapp, and The W's come to Wichita

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The crowd was very ready for DC Talk to take the stage. The lights stayed off, as a huge screen behind the stage showed various images and clips. The silhouette of a lone DJ on a riser at the back of stage was playing the background music for the screen.	When the lights came up (and quite an elaborate lighting system at that) and the guys hit the stage, the energy on the stage and in the audience was immense.


There was a huge computer-controlled lighting rig hanging above the stage which held the majority of the lights, but was not distracting at all. The lighting and sound was perfect, which left us to enjoy the music and fun and ministry.	DC Talk is: Toby McKeehan (full name: Tobias Kevin Michael McKeehan), who also covers most of the songwriting and producing, just became a proud parent along with wife Amanda of a son Truett Foster, born last September 1998.


Michael Tait (not married) is originally from Washington DC, where he met the other members of DC Talk. (Washington DC. DC Talk. Coincidence? I don't think so.) Michael started singing as a kid in church where his father (who just passed away last year) was a preacher.	Kevin Max was formerly known as Kevin Smith, but recently legally changed his last name to Max to eliminate confusion of the numerous "Kevin Smith's" in the world, and to honor his adopted father who's first name is Max. Two noteworthy events for Kevin in the last couple years - he got married to Alayna Bennet in August 1997, and last year just found his birth parents.


One of the first things I noticed about the tour this time was the ease with which they communicated with the crowd and the other band members as well. They made me feel like I had just come over to their house and were jamming specifically for me.	Not that they didn't do a good job on past performances, they just really seemed like much more seasoned performers, and drew us in to the fun they were having on stage.


There were times when they got pretty wild...	... and times when they got downright giddy.


As they punched out their special brand of funk rock, I would almost forget that they are capable of very touching ballads, too. Here, Michael sings "Between You And Me" which very successfully crossed the barrier into the mainstream (even before they signed with Virgin Records), providing many others a glimpse at their witness.	They did a wonderful job balancing their setlist with old songs and new, with a few surprises in the last half of the show during introductions. Here Toby belts "In The Light," one of my favorites from Jesus Freak. The strong witness backed by strong production makes a strong case and "only serves to confirm my suspicions, that I'm still a man in need of a Savior."


At the halfpoint of the show they calmed things down, brought the band out front, and did an "unplugged" set. As many have been incorporating this in their shows, it was sort of a prayer and praise time, and included a brief arrangement of "My Deliverer" - recorded by DC Talk for the Prince Of Egypt inspirational project, nominated for 1999 Song Of The Year for the Ragamuffins, and written by local favorites, the late Rich Mullins and Mitch McVicker. The chorus of "Awesome God" followed, and the crowd without prompting immediately rose to it's feet and took over. I guess some day that won't make me cry, but for now it still gets to me.	The stage grew dark again (as the guys left to take a much needed break), and the DJ, Ric "DJ Form" Robbins from GRITS, took off on a jam. Just two tables and a microphone!


Everyone came back out and things started jumping again. They were also joined by the W's horn section.	"Do you want to meet the band?" Toby asked. On guitar, Barry Graul, one of the newer members of the band, who first came to Wichita as the new guitar player for Halo, and also recently toured and recorded with Whiteheart.


On keyboards is Jason Halbert. When Kevin introduced him, he told us Jason knew one of his favorite songs from the 80's. That's when he knocked of "Jump" by Van Halen, and the crowd went wild.	Rick May is the drummer, and after he jammed for a while, somehow they ended up doing an old KC and the Sunshine Band song. It sure was making me feel old - but it was fun.


Another long-time band-mate, bass player Otto "Sugar Bear" Price got the crowd grooving with some Kool and the Gang.	I thought I recognized guitarist Mark Townsend, but the hair threw me. It was really long the last time he was here with DC Talk three years in April 96.


When they introduced the W's horn section they really gave 'em a heard time.	After all the introductions and the disco flashback, they came up a couple years, but not too far - only to the very early 90's. Toby, "Sugar Bear," and Ric the DJ, did some of the very early DC Talk rap.


They closed the show, and it took quite a bit of hollering and yelling, but we finally got them back out. They saved "Jesus Freak" for the last, and everybody just went berserk - on stage ...	... and in the audience.


Even Jennifer had to get in on the action. She came running out and jumped on Michael.	Everything was raised to a fever pitch, and the excitement (and flashing lights) were almost unbearable - kinda like a roller coaster ride that ends in explosions. Absolutely wonderful show! Best I've seen in a while.


Toby came out after to talk to us, and shared his witness. How as a young kid he was invited to a youth camp, and didn't have any idea what was going on (he thought it was a basketball camp). A youth counselor there told him and his friends about Christ and how they too could know Him and have everlasting life. Toby resisted, but finally in the middle of the night after tossing and turning, asked the cousnselor how he could know this Jesus. It was then he prayed the simple sinner's prayer seeking forgiveness and accepting the LORD who was knocking at his heart's door. Toby assured those in attendance that may want to find Jesus that there were counselors in the crowd ready to answer their questions, and introduce them to the saving grace. God is here! and He is Watching.

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