Life > January 30, 2003

By Sarah Leer

Photography Editor

An empty stage with several guitars greeted a large crowd of people Jan. 24th. The crowd began lining up an hour before the show. Even the sponsor of the event, Chick-fil-A, sent their always-beautiful representative cow.

A famous band did not perform at Brendle Recital Hall last week, but Wake’s own alum, Ben Alston, ’02. Alston is part of a new concert series brought to students by Entertainment Ministry Productions. 

The new group’s mission statement declares, “To build a solid foundation to promote and coordinate Christian concerts and events, while reaching past denomination boundaries and spreading the word of God.” Not an easy task.

EMP founder senior Brian Gross also brought Bebo Norman to Winston-Salem in November 2002. After the Chick-fil-A on Peace Haven agreed to sponsor his ministry, Gross had the idea to bring Alston back to campus for his premiere concert.

Gross says students can look forward to several new events by EMP this semester, “… Chick-fil-A events every Saturday, and one large concert (the info on this concert will be released within the next 2 weeks). Other smaller concerts might be brought to the campus also.”

If the future concerts are anything like Alston’s show, I would like to know where to buy my tickets now, please.

Chi Rho, a group whom Alston was a part of during his stint as an undergraduate, opened for Alston, singing songs from their new album. Titled “The Promise,” its release date is set for March 1, according to their Web site www.chirho.com

The group opened with songs such as “Kyrie” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Beautifully sung, their crowd-pleasing set brought solemnity and prepared attendees for the worshipful environment of Alston’s set.

When Alston took the stage, it was very much like a page out of “VH1 Storytellers.” He related stories about the songs and his own feelings constantly throughout the performance. He put the crowd at ease, making the concert more like a casual show for close friends.

Alston’s voice has become more defined and his stage presence more confident since his graduation last May. Playing all original compositions, Alston’s honesty reverberated both the words and the music itself.

His music is representative of his constantly changing relationship with God and the struggle he endures as a Christian today.

I felt as if Alston had opened a door to a very intimate portion of his life, and let the entire auditorium walk through.

Alston’s powerful baritone resounded in Brendle and his emotion hung in the air, long after the actual notes had died out.

Alston was known as a gifted vocal percussionist in his years with Chi Rho and his distinct, slightly gravelly voice may be new to those who only knew him in his percussionist role.

The artist connected with the current undergraduate crowd by relating through a song called “Open up My Heart,” where he recounts the fact that many of us are so bogged down with daily toils and rigors of Wake Forest that we forget to look at the sky once in awhile.

Alston invited close friends and fellow Chi Rho members on stage to help him sing his final songs: senior Matt Webb and alum Derek West, ’02, singing harmony.

Webb and West are extremely gifted musicians and though they had just learned the songs that day, as Alston admitted to the crowd, they were powerfully connected to Alston and his message, thus sending velvety harmonies to meet Alston’s rougher melodic tone.

I was surprised how songs that he had written like, “Free,” (from Chi Rho’s album of the same name) still moved me to tears, though I have listened to the CD innumerable times.

Alston’s willingness to let a room full of friends, for we had all become friends by the end of the performance, into his personal relationship with God was amazingly brave.

If his first concert was any indication of his future work, I predict his audience will grow along with his lyrical honesty and his musical prowess.