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I met Darcy Bennett, founder and lead singer of Lee Spoken, in the most odd and coincidental of ways...so odd and coincidental that it had to be of God.
I'd been asked to speak at the Canadian Bookseller's Association's annual trade-show in Edmonton, Alberta, and as the time neared to climb on the plane and head north, I'd had my hand on the phone twice to cancel the trip. Things had gotten so hectic and book deadlines so fierce that it seemed lunacy to spend the two days flying to and from Canada. Much later, I found out that Darcy had almost cancelled his performance for that night, as well. Neither one of us could really afford to be there, but God had plans for us to meet.
When Darcy stepped out that night to play his four-song set from his CD Drawn In, he still didn't know a thing about me or my books and he had no intention of hanging around afterwards to hear me speak. As for me, I am usually so focused before I speak that I tune out everything happening around me during the half-hour before I step behind the podium. It sure wasn't likely that we'd connect that night, was it? But we did.
When Darcy began to sing, I was mesmerized. His music was way outside my box, but I just loved it anyway, so much so that I couldn't tune it out this time. As I got up to speak, I made a mental note to track Darcy down after the show and grab one of his CD's. Funny thing is, the same thing happened to Darcy when I began to speak. He soon decided to stay and hear everything I had to say.
By the time I was finished it had gotten quite late, so I quickly ran Darcy down and told him, "Man, I just love what you do. Do you happen to have a CD with you that I could buy?"
"Hey, brother, if I had a CD, I'd give it to you free after that talk of yours. That was awesome! I feel kind of silly for having no CD's with me, but I'd be happy to run home and get one for you. It'll take me about an hour to get back, if you don't mind the wait!"
"I'd love to get one, but I have an early flight and I really need to get up to bed. Can you just drop one at the front desk for me and I'll pick it up when I check out?"
"I'll do it, Fred!"
We smiled and shook hands, and he headed out the front door as I headed to the elevator. As the elevator doors slid closed behind me, I was disappointed. I really didn't think Darcy would follow through. That was a long drive for him and I figured that after he gave it more thought, he would just bag the whole thing, and that's why I was disappointed. I really liked his music and didn't want to miss out.
But that disappointment was misplaced, because when I came down to check out of the hotel the next morning at 5:00 am, there at the front desk was a brand new copy of Drawn In waiting for me! "Hmm," I mused. "I guess Darcy is not your typical artist!"
Crazy as it might sound, I tossed the CD aside and didn't even break the shrink wrap for a couple of months after touching down in Des Moines. The work I'd left behind was still there, and I was crushed for time to finish my book and to keep everything else in my life from crashing down around my ears while I wrote. Later, of course, things slowed down, and when I finally did open up the CD to give it a listen, I was blown out.
Darcy Bennett is one of the finest and freshest lyricists I've ever heard. The twists and turns of his lyrics keep your mind jumping and stretching, and the grinding, grungy sound of the guitars are just as magnetic.
Some seem surprised that I've included an "indie" artist on this project, but why not? Darcy's got the goods. After all, Drawn In was nominated for the Canadian version of the Dove Award recently. Besides, what else can I do? God went to a lot of work to get us to meet, and once you listen to the CD, you'll understand why. The two songs I've included from Drawn In are the best songs I've heard for conveying the messages I needed for Tracks 2 and 3 on this project.
Check out Lee Spoken's Official Website
Thanks Darcy,
Fred Stoeker
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