Created: Thursday, May 20, 2010 11:12 a.m. CDT Updated: Thursday, June 10, 2010 12:50 p.m. CDT FONT SIZE:   Igniting The Local Christian Music SceneBy Elizabeth Harmon
A desire to bring Christian musicians together and provide them with resources to reach a wider audience was the spark that prompted Mark Filippi and Duncan Mathieson to launch The Blacksmith Project. Consisting of 18 affiliated artists, an online community and tools that include a state-of-the-art recording studio and technical and creative expertise, The Blacksmith Project has helped raise thousands of dollars for food charities in McHenry County and northern Illinois. “It’s showing how worship and service come together,” Mathieson says. The Blacksmith Project takes its name from an Old Testament verse, Isaiah, 54:16, which reads, “See, it is I who have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flames and forges a weapon fit for its work . . .” “We thought it was perfect for what we wanted to do,” Filippi says. “We wanted to find Christian artists and give them what they need to ignite.” The pair has installed a state-of-the-art recording studio in Filippi’s Bull Valley home that is available to the public. Blacksmith also offers production expertise, instrumental support for solo vocalists, songwriting collaboration, musical training and more. Artists affiliated with The Blacksmith Project include singer/songwriters Annie Sander and Sally Graham, acoustic rocker Ellis Van Gilder, Filippi, Legacy, an adult contemporary vocal trio and the Blacksmith Worship Band. Filippi forged a successful career as a rock guitarist and recording engineer, performing with a number of bands, including The Shadows of Knight, best known for its 1965 hit “Gloria.” After becoming a Christian, he sought a new direction for his talents. “My life changed, and my music did, too,” he says. He served as music director for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and then became an independent worship consultant, helping train and assist contemporary worship bands. Mathieson had recently sold his successful garage door company, Door Systems Inc., and was ready for a new challenge. He was inspired by the struggle of a friend, the late Russ Daughtry, to record his music as he battled Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. “I thought this might be a way to help others who had an unwritten song inside them get their music out there,” Mathieson says. The two connected and began thinking about The Blacksmith Project. “Duncan (Mathieson) felt called to use his financial resources to help build up other Christian musicians,” Filippi says. “God had given him resources, and I had various skills, so we put them together to start The Blacksmith Project.” They chose not to create a defined mission for The Blacksmith Project. “We didn’t come into this with a business plan, just some ideas,” Mathieson says. “It’s still creating its own mission statement as we run into artists.” Filippi added he’s thrilled with where Blacksmith is today. “We didn’t want to get locked into our plans,” he says. “We wanted to allow God to steer us. It’s amazing to look back at how far we’ve come since we started.” From its inception, The Blacksmith Project has taken an active role in fighting hunger. In July, Blacksmith artists performed at a benefit at Willow Creek Community Church, which raised almost $13,000 to help the Northern Illinois Food Bank buy a mobile food pantry truck. On February 6, the Concert for Hunger at Raue Center For The Arts brought in $4,200 and 200 pounds of food, which was donated to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Concert-goers were given bags to take home and fill with donations for their local food pantries. “The work of God is done through serving others,” Mathieson says. “Jesus says that whatever we do for the least of us, we’re doing for him. To see musicians coming together to serve in this way is very rewarding.” The pair recently launched their new Web site, www.theblacksmithproject.com, which they hope will attract more artists. In May, Blacksmith provided music for the Crystal Lake National Day of Prayer breakfast. Other projects in the works include a benefit concert for Tri-County Pregnancy and Parenting Services and a compilation of Daughtry’s work, which will be available through the Web site. Catch The Blacksmith Project live at HOPEFest 2010 on Sept. 11 at Hope Covenant Church, at Randall and Ackman roads in Crystal Lake. For more information, go to www.hcchopefest.org. June 11 through 13 – Ribfest Chicago at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The 12th annual North Center neighborhood bash features live music on two stages, local food vendors, a rib-eating contest and activities for kids. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. June 11 and noon to 10 p.m. June 12 and 13. For more information, call 773-525-3609. Source: www.chicago.metromix.com Opera Bass-Baritone William Powers Mr. Powers has performed more than 100 operatic roles with the major opera companies in the United States, Europe and South America. He has earned a reputation as a “heavy” (due in large part to the dark, penetrating color of his voice), thus the portrayal of rogues and villains has dominated his career. But this is more than an opera recital. With many surprises in store, including the World Debut of a new operatic piece, Mr. Powers' voice will thrill and resonate with you in our acoustically designed space. Rest assured, this won't be your typical opera recital, but a fun, engaging, character-filled concert, with a few selections you won't expect from this operatic “bad” man. This event will be recorded live, so come be a part of history, and share in the wonder of the great, commanding operatic voice. For more information, go to www.placedelamusique.org. Summerfest 2010 will take place June 24 through July 4 from noon to midnight daily. The World's Largest Music Festival and Milwaukee's cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industry's hottest stars, along with emerging talent and local favorites. The 23,000-capacity Marcus Amphitheater, 10 additional stages, diverse selection of food and beverages, marketplaces and interactive exhibits are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrop, creating a festival experience like no other. For more information, go to www.summerfest.com. For more information, go to www.downtowncl.org. Party in Lincoln Park with live music, food vendors, an art show and more. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. June 26 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 27. For more information, call 773-665-4682. Source: www.chicago.metromix.com Family fun with big-name entertainment. For more information, go to www.mchenrychamber.com. Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street invites you to sit back and enjoy the music of local legend Dave Sarkis. Just like with our popular Lunch in the Park event, guests are invited to bring their own dinner or buy their meal from one of our downtown restaurants. Food vendors will be available onsite. This event is in Depot Park (Woodstock and Williams). The newly completed downtown gazebo will serve as the stage for musicians. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. A limited number of tables and chairs will be available. Take Note: this event was scheduled to coordinate with the annual Downtown Crystal Lake Sidewalk Sales. What a perfect excuse to come downtown and spend the day! For more information, go to www.downtowncl.org. The Pitchfork Music Festival is a three-day event showcasing more than 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists on three stages. It’s a summer music festival that provides a positive, comfortable and fun festival experience for both attendees and musicians. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, go to www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com. Lollapalooza is a three-day, eight-stage music festival happening August 6 through 8 in Chicago. For more information, go to www.lollapalooza.com. The ninth annual event just outside Wrigley Field features live music, arts and craft vendors and food from area restaurants. For more information, call 773-868-3010. |
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Copyright © 2012 Northwest Herald. All rights reserved. Published in Crystal Lake, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. |
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