Local band walking way to new CD
By Caitlyn Kelleher
Alocal Christian rock band is ready to promote

the release of their second CD at the end of the month.

Damascus Road is a Christian rock band based-out of the Ashburnham Community Church is releasing their CD, Walk with Me

The group is comprised of sixmembers from out the area.

Debbie Moylan sings and plays the piano and flute; Keli Thomason as the lead singer; Art Grover, bassist; Doug Demarais on the rhythm guitar; Justin Basque singing and on the lead guitar as well as Neal Hallquist on the drums.

On this CD, every song was written by them, which they have been doing for two or three years now. With some success of putting it on their first CD.

Their first CD was released in December 2004, self-titled "Damascus Road." Following that, they have been touring extensively.

They recorded all of their songs at the Ashburnham Community Church. Adrian Gates did the r e c o r d i n g , bringing all of his equipment with him. Hundreds of hours go into making this CD, along with a lot of money, said the band members.

Their music is set for a number of audiences, with music that would be played on a regular rock station and lyrics that praise. The music is powerful, new, fun, fresh, uplifting and exciting.

"This is the end result of everything I've done. God gave me the gift, there's nothing better than singing it up to Him," Moyland, of Ashby, said.

With musical talents under everyone's belt, this is the first real band everyone has been involved in. She graduated from a college for music, she has been singer her entire life.

Art is a s e l f t a u g h t Bassist. Doug is a selftaught guitarist and once played with a small local band. Keli has been praising since 1981.

The band started in 2001 as a way to lead worship at the church. After one year, they were playing at events, coffeehouses, and even concert venues.

Damascus Road represented Ashburnham in the ninth annual Soul Festival, New England's Christian music/teaching festival and family retreat. It is a five-day event featuring world-renowned Christian music of all genres, on five different stages. This festival

Damascus Road will be playing alongside over 100 Christian artists.

"It is a little band playing with the big name bands like Third Day. It is going to be so much fun." Moylan said. The event was attracts over 15,000 people every year.

Along with music, there are teaching conferences for all different types of people, women, men, people in the northeast, even children. There will be guest speakers and authors from around the world. held in August at Gunstock Mountain in New Hampshire.

They have their own Web site at Damascusroadacc. com, anyone can go there to get more information about the band and their upcoming shows.

WHO'S WHO

 Justin Basque (lead guitar, vocals) professionally trained in music, which is vastly overshadowed by a consistent love of the art and a drive to always improve. He has taken part, in various capacities, in music ministry since 2004. Through this involvement he has come to know Jesus Christ and has started on the path of living his life with Him and for Him. It is Justin's hope that he can help others to realize this gift and join him on this world changing journey.

 Doug Desmarais (rhythm guitar) is a self-taught guitar player, who began playing a little over four years ago. He is 35 years old, has 5 children ages 12 to 17, and has been a lifetime member of the Catholic Church. He loves his wife, his Harley, and most of all his Lord! Doug's desire is to spread the gospel through music, especially to the youth.

Art Grover (bass guitar) is a self-taught bass player of five years and enjoys playing, learning and laughing with Damascus Road. He and his family are actively involved with their local parish. Art finds it enjoyable to spend his spare time with his family, working with wood, and refurbishing his antique car. He resides in Rindge, NH, with his wife, Gizelle, of twenty years and three children, Alicia, Amanda, and Justin.

 Neal Hallquist (percussion) grew up in a great home, had and still has terrific parents, but decided to go his own way and live by his own rules. He became an alcoholic by the age of 17. God saved him at the age of 25 and now by the grace of God he is 47. He owes the past 22 years of his life to Him and Him alone. Neal feels that playing music is one very small way of giving back what God has given him.

 Debbie Moylan (keyboard, vocals and flute) is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Although she has always been a performer at heart, she didn't realize her potential until the Lord called her to music ministry. Now she seeks to use her talents to share the transforming power of a loving and merciful God. She lives with her husband, Tom, and three children, Leighton, Cameron and Libby.

 Keli Thomason (lead vocals) discovered her passion for worship and leading the body of Christ in 1981. She began ministering on worship teams and has continued until now. She believes that there's no greater privilege than to be still, hear the heart of God, write it down, then turn it into a song and let God minister through it, right where people are. She is a mom to her 8year-old son and has been a massage therapist for 16 years.