Artist description 2 Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, 3 singers, good harmonies, focus on melody, message. Inspirational/multiple genres Proud of the many styles we cover.

Music Style We're a hybrid of many different artists from the beginning of time, fried,died and laid to the side. I guess that's what you call having your own style: pop/blues/R&B. What do we feel like playing at the moment? that's what we write or perform. One common thread here: we aim to uplift your everlovin soul! There's enough bummers goin around. Not a lot of joy. We don't think there's anything absolutely cool or artsy about negativity.

Musical Influences Classic Motown/Paul McCartney/ Clapton/BB KING. can't name them all

Similar Artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Roy Orbison, Curtis Mayfield, any black gospel singer/Traveling Wilburys

Artist History The Holy Rock Temple Band has been around in many manifestations since 1988. We're proud of the different genres we cover and believe we have our own sound. We concentrate on good old fashioned songwriting (melody and lyrics come first!), and vocals. Our music is inspirational, uplifting in intent and we don't/won't offend anyone morally, ethically or emotionally... And definately not physically! We've had many positive responses from the pros regarding our music (Motown hall of famer) Eddie Holland from Holland-Dozier-Holland) and Tony Beck (A&R/Philadelphia International Records/Gamble & Huff) to name some. Songwriter/guitarist Lou Gayoso is former president of Eternity Records, which won a GMA Dove Award in 1989 for best produced album by the band "White Cross".

Group Members Lou Gayoso, guitar, vocals, songwriter; jeff Drazin, guitar, songwriter; Barry Small, bass; Jack Ciaminello, keyboards; Jerry Roberts, drums; Sheldon Edmonds, vocalist

Instruments Rhythm and lead guitars/bass/drums/keyboards

Albums A Lasting Peace.

Press Reviews "Haven't heard music like this in years." Motown legend Eddie Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland)......"The Holy Rock Temple Band performs with classic style and heartfelt lyrics bringing to light the saving grace of God."-- From Cross Connection magazine (website:www.crossconnection.com)...CD Review Excerpt:"A Lasting Peace" by The Holy Rock Temple appearing in "crticalreviews.com" 11/99 The cut "Love's Going On" offers good guitar work and other musical textures. The lyrics are good on this one... "Love of Your Heart" is a song that I enjoyed. It has a solid beat... "Call Out His Name" has some bluesy edges, a gutsy organ and makes for a creative cut... One of the better cuts was "My Dream." This has a smooth delicious sense to it. It reminds me of a lot of 70s (or earlier) pop vocals [including Bg's]. An interesting performance with nice guitar chords. ...An acapella vocal kicks off "The Prodigal Son." The lush organ sound added much to this tune. The story works as they retell that gospel story. With some hot guitar licks, it all works... "I'm Changing" is a tune that displays solid lead vocals. I really enjoyed the singing here--has a neat classic rock sense. It is another strong effort on the album... The CD closes with the folky rocky track titled "You're Beautiful." Here the playing and mood of the cut make it another of the best things on this project. The beat and melody of the tune and the emotive vocal as well as solid instrumentation make for a song that I clearly enjoyed. Piano work is neat. One of the best numbers on the CD. This indie release has some fine moments....Review of "A Lasting Peace" CD from "tothebone.com" music site :This very talented band of five have the sound of pop rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, ballads, country and vocals that will make you melt. All Wrapped Up in You is a beautiful ballad that will make your heart soar and have you dreaming of that special person in your life. My Dream is jazz with R&B/pop with Sheldon Edmond doing the lead vocal providing a soft and soothing sound. Love's Going On is a classic R&B soul ballad reminiscent of Smokey Robinson or Curtis Mayfield. Full Circle has a country/pop feel again with uplifting lyrics and wonderful melodies. This is a CD to treasure for the songs are Christian oriented but even more is the strong influences in the music from the past that you will identify with immediately. These are seasoned performers and this is a very special album! --Album Review appearing in EnTUNE.com...Review by Madame C.J.To say Holy Rock Temple is just another Christian pop group would be an understatement. Their musical style is very diverse, encompassing genres such as pop rock, blues, jazz, R&B and country. I must admit that I’ve never been a big fan of pop music, but after listening to HRT, all of that has now changed. The album A Lasting Peace offers several wonderful songs, which can all be downloaded from their MP3 site. My all-time favorites are "Full Circle" and "My Dream"."Full Circle" is a beautifully written song that looks at life: the pleasures enjoyed, the pain endured, and the lessons learned. The writer so eloquently writes, "Memories from where I came, pleasures and pain that will never last/Soon the light appears/I’m suddenly free from the past/the Lord has allowed me to come full circle." The music is a down-home folksy, finger-popping, foot-stomping, rock-a-billy groove that makes you want to shout, "thank you Jesus"… Yee-ha!!!"My Dream" is a classic love ballad reminiscent of the ‘New Romantic’ sound of the 80s. The writer describes it as "jazzy with R&B/pop added like vanilla to Coca-cola". Sheldon Edmond’s sultry voice can be compared to the likes of Tony Hadley, the lead vocalist of Spandau Ballet. The song describes the feeling when one finds the lover of their soul, Jesus. "Now I have the sky so clear, a canopy of love and faith/How do I explain it all? All the joy I have inside? How can I remain the same now that I have finally found my dream?"This album is a keeper. Don’t just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. And another, from Mp3 Reviews.com:What a suprise this band was! I figured they would be some evil rock dudes screming and shouting about this and that, but no, they are somewhat funky, christian rock band. What a relief!"Backslider's Blues (King Kong's Blues)" is a great classic sounding blues tune about a man that has fallen from his holy ways. It has a "Life in the Fast Lane" feel to it, with an incredible Hammond sounding organ, and a great sax solo!"Stay with Me" is a more up-tempo number that is acoustic guitar and piano based, with nice harmonies on the vocals throughout. There is even a nice little electric guitar solo in there too, and of course it has a great message to boot!The Holy Rock Temple is a great band that explore their spirituallity through their music. It is quite refreshing to find a christian group who explores their own musical expression also. With songs in genres ranging from soul to country on their mp3.com page, they have something to offer everyone. -- Jim

Location Toms River, New Jersey - USA

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