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This Christian band combines family harmony and vocals with musicians of vast experience and background, to create a unique sound that appeals to a wide age group of listeners. Their music has an uplifting contemporary style that uniquely blends rock, country, and gospel to create a signature sound. Songwriter, Steve Cunningham founded the band in 2003, but the band’s roots run deep. Over the last few years the band has been blessed and has developed a significant following. KINDRED CROSS continues to play churches, community events, coffeehouses, and various other venues, while introducing others to the message of the Lord of their lives, Jesus Christ. The band has recorded 3 CDs and will release a 4th CD in 2008.
Based in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, the band members include three brothers (Steven, Mark, Timothy), and a sister (Ruth) who have been performing since their early youth. The Cunningham family grew up singing at various churches and community events as children and as young adults, due to the dreams, influence, and guidance of their mother, Nancy. “My mother always wanted a singing family. She was blessed with four boys (a 4th brother, and sometimes band member, John lives in Michigan) and a girl, and we’ve been singing our entire lives,” according to Steve Cunningham. This point can be summed up in one line from the song “Undying Love” which was written for his mother Nancy: “Songs that we sing since we were young, a harmony that’s never done.” The Cunningham “family vocal harmony” continues to set this band apart from others. Steve Cunningham, inspired by the Lord over the last few years, has written most of the songs recorded by KINDRED CROSS.
The Cunningham’s were in another band with guitarist Lorne Porta. Porta has been playing guitar since his youth, and is an accomplished musician on the electric and acoustic guitars, as well as the mandolin and dobro. He has played in various local rock bands as well as country bands throughout his career. Lorne has also co-written a few songs for the last couple of KINDRED CROSS CDs. He continues to see how the Lord is using his gifts for a higher purpose. “It’s like I am giving back these gifts to the Lord, as we minister through this music” says Porta.
Dave Kurtz owns and operates Lifeline Studios & Music Services in Coatesville, PA, and has recorded, engineered, and mastered all of the KINDRED CROSS CDs. He has been performing and recording in various bands and ministries since 1974, playing keyboards, guitars, bass, drums, trumpet, and vocals. Kurtz has been on both American and European band tours. “The fellowship we enjoy, as we spend many hours together in the studio and in our live performances, is very uplifting. We continue to be blessed as we watch how the Lord works through these songs and in the development of this music,” according to Cunningham. The team of Steve Cunningham, Dave Kurtz, and Lorne Porta is powerful combination, guided by the Lord, in the creation and production of the music of KINDRED CROSS. Just listen . .
Other members of the band include Rob Rice, Mark Farra, Bruce Doane, and Darrin Mitchell. Mark Farra plays violin and toured previously with various Christian bands. Farra also played extensively in bands with Kurtz for many years. His soaring violin tracks are straight from the heart. Rob Rice places his heart and soul into a variety of percussion instruments and sounds, and is a cousin to the Cunningham family.
Bruce Doane and Darrin Mitchell joined KINDRED CROSS in early 2008. Bruce has been playing drums for nearly 40 years in various bands that played mainly rock and roll. Bruce says: “In 1974 I made the best decision one can ever make, I put my heart and life into the hands of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” He has since been part of numerous bands including White Rose (with his wife), Deliverance, and
Truth N’ Tone. Bruce currently also drums for his church praise band, and is part of a back up band called “Set Apart.” He looks forward to God’s plans for him inwardly and outwardly, as he performs with KINDRED CROSS. Darrin completes the band as the bassist. He has played bass for many years, mainly in rock bands, and is seeking God’s will for his life as a member of this band.
Steve Cunningham, inspired by the Lord, began writing the songs that are on their first CD “FROM NOW ON” in April 2002, and the foundation of KINDRED CROSS was formed. The Lord inspired this creative period like no other time in his life, and various life experiences and emotions were channeled into the music. “FROM NOW ON” features “In Your Hands,” “I Know It Now,” “Here,” as well as the title track “From Now On.” Also, “Undying Love” is a ballad written for and dedicated to Nancy Cunningham. She provided the musical foundation for her family, and guided them since their early youth. Nancy got to see the CD produced and released, but passed away on January 27, 2004, after a long illness. Her legacy and faith lives on in her family and this music.
KINDRED CROSS released a “retro” CD called “LEGACY” in August 2005. “LEGACY” contains 14 gospel songs that the Cunningham family performed during their youth, and which laid the foundation for their faith and the vocal harmonies of KINDRED CROSS. “These gospel songs are always well received in our live shows, and these songs are our musical roots,” according to Steve.
The band’s 3rd CD titled “NO OTHER ROAD,” was released in October 2005. This CD includes the moving praise and worship songs “I Will Lift Your Name” and “Come Near The Cross.” The CD also includes the ballads “Give Me Peace,” “The Miracle Of Who You Really Are,”and “Yours,” as well as the rocking “Even Now.”
A 4th CD titled “THE TIME HAS COME” is expected to be released in the fall of 2008. This collection of songs focuses on the themes of “time” and the “heart.” The epic “All My Heart” is accompanied by the rocking “Somewhere” and “You Know My Heart.” The moving ballads “Later Than It Seems,” “Breathless,” and the title track “The Time Has Come,” dig deep, to affect the soul of the listener.
is:
Steven C. Cunningham – vocals, rhythm guitar
Lorne Porta – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, mandolin, dobro
David Allen Kurtz – piano, organ, strings
Ruth L. Berkheimer – vocals
Mark A. Cunningham – vocals
Timothy C. Cunningham – vocals
Mark Farra –violin
Robert Rice – percussion
Bruce Doane – drums
Darrin Mitchell – bass
Discography:
THE TIME HAS COME – anticipated release - Fall 2008
All songs written and copyrighted by Steven C. Cunningham, except:
“Later Than It Seems” and “All That I Am” – written and copyrighted by Lorne Porta and Steven C. Cunningham
All songs published by SACRED THUNDER MUSIC (ASCAP)
All songs arranged by Steven C. Cunningham, Lorne Porta, & David Allen Kurtz
All songs produced by Steven C. Cunningham & David Allen Kurtz
The CD was recorded and mastered at Lifeline Studios & Music Services in Coatesville, PA
NO OTHER ROAD – released October 16, 2005
All songs written and copyrighted by Steven C. Cunningham, except:
“Give Me Peace” – written and copyrighted by Steven C. Cunningham and John P. Cunningham
“The Bridge” – written and copyrighted by Lorne Porta
“I Will Lift Your Name” – written and copyrighted by Lorne Porta and Steven C. Cunningham
“The Miracle Of Who You Really Are” – written and copyrighted by Ruth L. Berkheimer and Dave Kurtz
“Ashley’s Song” – written and copyrighted by Lorne Porta
All songs published by SACRED THUNDER MUSIC (ASCAP)
All songs arranged by Steven C. Cunningham, Lorne Porta, & David Allen Kurtz
All songs produced by Steven C. Cunningham & David Allen Kurtz
The CD was recorded and mastered at Lifeline Studios & Music Services in Coatesville, PA
LEGACY – a “retro” CD compilation of “covered” gospel songs - released August 2005
All songs arranged by Steven C. Cunningham, Lorne Porta, & David Allen Kurtz
All songs produced by Steven C. Cunningham & David Allen Kurtz
The CD was recorded and mastered at Lifeline Studios & Music Services in Coatesville, PA
FROM NOW ON – released December 12, 2003
All songs written and copyrighted by Steven C. Cunningham
All songs published by SACRED THUNDER MUSIC (ASCAP)
All songs arranged by Steven C. Cunningham, Lorne Porta, & David Allen Kurtz
All songs produced by Steven C. Cunningham & David Allen Kurtz
The CD was recorded and mastered at Lifeline Studios & Music Services in Coatesville, PA
To contact the band or for general information please refer to the web site and e-mail addresses listed below:
Steven C. Cunningham
steve@kindred-cross.com
www.kindred-cross.com
(610) 383-5477
“I will sing and make music to the Lord” – Psalm 27:6
“I will praise the Lord all my life: I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” – Psalm 146:2