MISSION VIEJO, CA (ANS) -- Brian Gentry may not be a household name in Contemporary Christian Music, but he is certainly no stranger to the scene. In fact, he is likely glad that his notoriety is not based in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).

Marvin & Gentry accompanied by Darrell Mansfield at a previous appearance at the Upper Room

Influenced by such great songwriters as Simon & Garfunkel, Lennon and McCartney, Crosby Stills Nash and many others, the duo of Ken Marvin and Brian Gentry, both from Kentucky, have been writing and recording together since the late 1980’s. While the vocal harmonies and performance style of the duo can be traced to these and other great songsmiths of that era, it is the Christian market where the two realized early commercial success.

Marvin & Gentry plied their songwriting craft with live performances in colleges, churches and other venues across the country in the 1980’s where the duo found acceptance with their melodious style, crisp harmonies and a spirit-filled message to wider audiences.

However, it was the discovery by the late Dan Peek of the band, AMERICA, that would lead to a collaboration of the duo’s next four recordings and the formation of the Christian-rock band, called PEACE.

'AMERICA' album cover - Dan Peek is on the left

Peek, who had a string of hits with AMERICA, found in Marvin & Gentry a kindred spirit and recorded two of their songs on his solo album titled Crossover. The hit song “I Will Not Be Silent” went on to make Peek’s Greatest Hits album. Soon after, Marvin & Gentry released their first recording called Safe Harbour on Milk & Honey Records in 1987. With Safe Harbour, they were able to land their first hit in the Contemporary Christian charts with their song “Cowboy Stories.”

In 1989, Dan Peek, along with Marvin & Gentry, produced the duo’s second studio effort called Light of the World. The collaboration continued for another six years as Peek released a trilogy of recordings by PEACE on his new label called 7-Mile Records. The trio of recordings by PEACE stands as great synergy of the talents of Peek, Marvin and Gentry and combine the fresh, refined lyrics of Marvin & Gentry with recollections of the soft rock and pop sound of Peek’s AMERICA. One reviewer said that the three recordings of PEACE are an incredible contribution to the music of the ‘90’s.

“I was actually introduced to Brian Gentry by the late Dan Peek of the group America in 2009 when we were just beginning to book various artists at the Upper Room” said Ron Strand of The Upper Room. “I contacted Dan with the hope of booking him for an appearance at The Upper Room. Dan thanked me for the offer and told me that he ‘wasn’t doing any more personal appearances’. He then suggested that I contact his longtime friend and recording partner Brian Gentry. Brian and I became immediate friends after his first appearance at The Upper Room, and I invite him back each year. We are kindred spirits from different walks of life” said Strand

Dan Peek

Ironically, Dan Peek passed away on July 24, 2011, just days before Gentry was scheduled to appear at The Upper Room. Gentry said he was torn about his appearance at The Upper Room because Peek’s funeral was scheduled to be held in Missouri while Gentry was scheduled to be in California.

“Dan’s wife Catherine asked me to serve at Dan’s funeral as a pallbearer. When I told her that I had a dilemma because I had been booked at The Upper Room, she told me that Dan always said that ‘life is for the living’ and she insisted that I go because ‘Dan would have wanted it that way’.” said Gentry.

Gentry decided to make that Upper Room appearance a tribute to his late friend. At that concert he shared a number of stories from his friendship with Dan Peek and played a number of Peek and America tunes. He recruited the help of the Upper Room’s house band on some of the songs. “We had a great time that night and I realized that I was able to honor Dan in this way. It also gave me a chance to share a part of Dan with the Upper Room audience” said Gentry.

Ad for the upcoming appearance

In 2010, Gentry stepped out on his own and recorded his first solo album called Dirt for a Crown. This album is a blend of Gentry’s crisp and clean vocals along with 10 original tunes born out of his journey of faith, love, struggle and triumph. The album has received rave review while Gentry has been touring the country promoting it.

Gentry is scheduled to appear at The Upper Room (Christian Coffeehouse) in Mission Viejo, California on Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 pm.

“This will be Brian’s fourth appearance with us” said Ron Strand, of The Upper Room. “He has appeared twice as a solo act, and once with his musical partner Ken Marvin”. It is always a treat to have Brian join us at the Upper Room”. What I think is most unique about Brian is his ability to relate the most common issues we face as human beings and as Christians in a way that draws you in.” He is a masterful storyteller and a consummate musician” said Strand.

For more information about Brian Gentry’s appearance at the Upper Room, or to make reservations, please visit http://theupperroompresents.com/

Dan Wooding, 71, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 49 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and he hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on the KWVE Radio Network in Southern California and which is also carried throughout the United States and around the world. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. Dan recently received two top media awards -- the “Passion for the Persecuted” award from Open Doors US, and as one of the top “Newsmakers of 2011” from Plain Truth magazine. He is the author of some 45 books, the latest of which is “Caped Crusader: Rick Wakeman in the 1970s.” To order a copy, go to: http://www.amazon.com/CAPED-CRUSADER-Rick-Wakeman-1970s/dp/1908728302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335474883&sr=1-1 .