Blues band uses music to reach out

Five Sedalia men will sing the blues today at the Missouri State Fairgrounds during the Mo Blues Cruise & BBQ.

Matt & The Testifiers is a blues band with a Christian influence that began performing in 2006.

Mark Revel, band leader and guitarist, said the group’s music incorporates classic rock, soul, rhythm and blues and southern rock.
“The blues speaks to everybody,” Mark said.

Mark decided to start the group in the fall of 2005 and by 2006, Matt & The Testifiers was in full swing.

Ron Arnold plays harmonica, percussion and sings for the group. He joined the band in March of this year after meeting Revel through a trash service job. The two played together in 2007 while they were in different bands.

“I always knew that our paths would cross,” Arnold said.

For Arnold, music is just one of many ways to reach out to people about Jesus.

“I do it as a ministry,” Arnold said. “I like talking about Jesus.”

The group just finished their self-titled debut album which features original music by the band. During their performance today, the band will be playing seven songs from their album and 20 classic songs.

“I guarantee that we’re going to sing something that someone will know,” Arnold said.

Matt Moring is one of the original band members. He plays rhythm guitar and is the lead singer. He was invited by Revel to jam with the guys a few years ago and decided to try singing as well.

“I had never sang before,” Moring said.

He has played guitar for about 13 years and said singing is something he is supposed to do.

Matt & The Testifiers played at the barbecue in 2007.

“It was great. It was our first big concert and it was a great experience,” Moring said.

The band will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. with David Cormican on drums and Carlos Leon on bass guitar. Revel said the band is tighter now than in 2007 and that makes them better than ever. He said all of the songs are family friendly and the group does a lot of “happy blues.”

“It’s music that is good for the soul too,” Revel said.

Admission to the Mo Blues Cruise & BBQ is $10 for adults and children 12 and younger are free.

“Come hear some good music with a positive message,” Revel said.

Matt & The Testifiers are one of many bands that will be performing during the event.

“When people come together who love music it’s a beautiful thing,” Moring said.

For more information about Matt & The Testifiers, visit the group’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/mattthetestifiers.com.