New band to play at Corn Days

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The Revelators are a newly formed band with roots that go decades into the past.

Self-employed house painter Danny Anderson of New Ulm was a secular rock musician for many years with "The Fugitives" band out of New Ulm. He'll tell you his days as a member of that band are numbered since he met Jake MacAulay of Shakopee, formerly of New Ulm and the Campos brothers of Sleepy Eye.

Anderson met MacAulay and the Camposes at a Sunday evening youth service at River Valley Christian Church, 100 N. Washington several months ago.

"Some youth from our church told some youths that were evangelizing in Sleepy Eye about our service and they came over," Anderson said. "First I met Massey Campos III. The next week, he brought his brothers along and we decided to form the band. It was tough at first, but now it's starting to go pretty well."

Anderson said the meeting was a blessing for everybody.

"They've been a blessing in my life and they say the same thing about me," Anderson said.

The Revelators recently performed at a Sunday afternoon concert in Sleepy Eye.

Anderson got the band name from the song "John, the revelator." The band is working to perfect the boogey-blues tune.

He owns much of the band's equipment from his secular rock band days.

Anderson said he just can't play secular music anymore.

"I told the guys I'm quitting the band. My heart is not in it," Anderson said. "We have one more wedding dance to play at and it's the end of my secular music."

Now it's all gospel music to the tune of 50s, country, blues, rap and ska music with The Revelators.

Anderson became a Christian at River Valley Church seven years ago. He used his acoustic guitar and voice as the church's worship leader. His life was changed when he met MacAulay last January.

"We were about ready to leave the church as the congregation dwindled from about 40 to a handful of people," Anderson said. "I was losing my drive for the Lord and satan and the world was pulling outside. In walked Jake and Heather on New Year's Day. I talked to them and we had lunch together after church."

Anderson liked the idea of starting a Sunday evening service for people that couldn't make Sunday morning services. MacAulay told him he wanted to start a youth movement in New Ulm.

"I've learned a lot from Jake. He has a whole new approach to the gospel," Anderson said. "The Campos brothers said they liked that about him too. He isn't afraid to tell the truth, even if it's hard to take. I was really taken back at first. I needed to look at myself and my Christianity. It really woke me up. I said ok, here we go Lord. We got started and have been successful ever since."

Anderson said he has thrown away all his secular rock music. He said the average teenager spends 10,000 hours of their life listening to rock music.

"Just think what they could do if they listened to that much gospel music," Anderson said.

Massey III, Favian and another Spanish church member from Sleepy Eye were baptized in Sleepy Eye Lake last weekend.

Anderson plays guitar, lead vocal and some harmony. Massey III, a mechanics student at South Central Technical College, plays bass guitar and sings backup and some lead voice. Favian, who works at North Central Containers in New Ulm, plays keyboard and some drums. Brian Campos, a sophomore at Sleepy Eye Public School, plays drums. MacAulay plays acoustic guitar and sings.

Anderson has written some of the band's music including "Proclamation," one of its favorites that has a hint of Southern Rock and Lynard Skynrd from his days with "The Fugitives." The band will record it in Anderson's basement studio next week.

The band plays a wide variety of music in an attempt to reach all people. It is now working on a Spanish tune that would utilize an accordion played by Massey Campos II.

The Revelators will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Allison Park as part of the 40th Annual Corn Days in Sleepy Eye. Sunday, they will take part in the 10 a.m. worship service at New Hope Community Church in Sleepy Eye.