2nd Chapter of Acts

2nd Chapter of Acts was a Contemporary Christian music group comprising sisters Annie Herring and Nelly Greisen and brother Matthew Ward. They performed between 1973 and 1988.

The group began at home as a result of singing around the piano played by Annie. Nelly and Matthew had moved in with Annie and her husband, recording engineer and producer Buck Herring after becoming orphaned in 1970.

Through a contract arranged by Pat Boone, the group released two singles on MGM, "Jesus Is" (1972) and "I'm So Happy" (1973). 2nd Chapter of Acts also came to the attention of 1960s folk singer Barry McGuire, who was preparing to record his first Christian music album, produced by Buck Herring. The siblings provided background vocals for Seeds and McGuire's 1974 follow-up Lighten Up.

They released their first album, With Footnotes, in 1974. This album featured "Easter Song" which would become a signature piece for the group and has been recorded by many other artists since. This was followed up with In the Volume of the Book in 1975, the year that also saw the release of a live album with Barry McGuire, To the Bride. Also named on the album were the musicians touring with the 2nd Chapter of Acts, "a band called David". These albums were issued by Myrrh Records. The group toured with McGuire intermittently for three years

The group went on a touring hiatus in 1976. Annie released her first solo record on the Sparrow Records label founded that year by the executive who had signed them to the Myrrh label, Billy Ray Hearn. For the Summer of 1977, they were joined on an 18-city tour by Phil Keaggy and the result was the live triple album, How the West Was One. Their contract with Myrrh fulfilled, they moved as a group to Sparrow.

Their Sparrow debut, Mansion Builder (1978) was followed up with Roar of Love (a concept album inspired by C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Rejoice, Singer Sower, and Together Live (with Michael and Stormie Omartian). 2nd Chapter moved to their own Live Oak label with the release of Night Light in 1985, and their final recording of original material, Faraway Places.

2nd Chapter of Acts broadened their appeal with the release of Hymns and Hymns 2, reaching audiences with more traditional music. Hymns has proved to be their best-selling release.

Except for a sabbatical year in 1983, 2nd Chapter of Acts continued to tour until 1988. Their final concert was in Houston, Texas on August 12 of that year.

2nd Chapter was recognized by the Gospel Music Association in 1999 by their induction into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Annie and Matthew also recorded several solo projects during the 2nd Chapter of Acts years. Both have continued to release new material and perform concerts as of 2004.

Discography

• With Footnotes (1974)
• In The Volume Of The Book (1975)
• To The Bride [with Barry McGuire and "a band called David"] (1975)
• How The West Was One [with Phil Keaggy and "a band called David"] (1977)
• Mansion Builder (1978)
• Roar Of Love (1980)
• Rejoice (1981)
• Encores (1981) ["Best of" compilation of material previously released on Myrrh]
• Singer Sower (1983)
• Together Live [with Michael and Stormie Omartian] (1983)
• Night Light (1985)
• Hymns (1986)
• Far Away Places (1987)
• Hymns 2 (1988)
• Hymns Instrumental (1989)
• 20 (album) (1992) ["Best of" compilation from all previous material]

References

• "The Frame Never Outdid the Picture: The 2nd Chapter of Acts Story (http://www.2ndchapterofacts.com/articles/frame-picture.htm)" Retrieved 26 July 2004
• "Matthew Ward Biography: 2nd Chapter of Acts (http://www.matthewward.com/bio_past.shtml)" Retrieved 28 July 2004

External Links

• Official site (http://www.2ndchapterofacts.com)
• Musicmoz:2nd Chapter of Acts (http://www.musicmoz.org/Bands_and_Artists/2/2nd_Chapter_of_Acts/)