An amalgam of rock, gospel, roots and folk. Rural but not Country. Lyrically intelligent, musically relevant. Looking ahead, while tipping the hat to earlier influences. This music would fit comfortable in the Americana genre, if not for the pop and rock seasoning.
The Redemption Center started out as a songwriting project with J. Stephen Smith and Jesse Sprinkle (Dead Poetic, Demon Hunter, Poor Old Lu), which soon developed into a full album project. Smith and Sprinkle had worked together for over ten years; Smith on the record label side (Blind Records) and Jesse as a recording artist on Blind Records, but this was the first time they were able to get together creatively. Smith tapped Charlie Freeman to add bass. Charlie had worked with Mojo Heroes (another Blind Records act) in the 90’s but had been away from music raising his kids and teaching Physics. Yes physics! There is a Doctor in the house (PHD). Think of Sheldon from The Big Bang with musical talent. “As the songs progressed” states Smith, “ Jesse and I started reaching out to friends to fill in the musical space” They ended up with Rick Millard on harp, Dave Gillis and Chris Landon on Guitars, along with Jesse who also plays drums and Smith providing vocals and the lyrical direction to the project. “We also pulled in some great guest musicians,” says Smith. “One most notable guest was Timothy Dick of Auld Lang Syne, this record would not be the same without him”
Hailing from two different parts of the country, Smith from Oklahoma and Sprinkle from Seattle, their musical influences are complimentary but divergent. Some how, these two became friends in the Rochester, NY area nearly 15 years back. Charlie Freeman is from Westchester County NY, Gillis from Long Island and Millard from New York’s southern tier. This variance of backgrounds, musical taste and geography helped create a musical style that is truly a melting pot of several great American music traditions, blues, rock, country, pop and gospel.
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