10 Questions with ... Rush of Fools

NAME:Rush of Fools TITLE:Band/Musicians

Brief Career Synopsis:

Line-up:
Wes Willis (lead vocals, guitar)
Kevin Huguley (guitar)
Jacob Chesnut (bass)
Jamie Sharpe (drums)
J.D. Frazier (guitar, keys)

Discography:
Rush of Fools (Midas Records, May 8, 2007)

1) Give a brief rundown of the band's history.

Kevin Huguley and Wes Will met up through a mutual friend in early summer 2005. After hanging out and jamming a little bit, the two found that they had the same heart for worship and writing worship songs. A friend told Wes about Jamie Sharpe, so the guys had him in to audition. It was a done deal the first day. Wes met Jacob Chesnut at a church he was attending in Birmingham. Jacob was leading worship with his youth praise band when Wes asked him to join the team. JD Frazier and Kevin knew each other while attending Auburn, and the band had always been a fan of JD's old band. When we found out that they had broken up, it was apparent God totally paved the way for JD to join up. Now, you have the completed version of Rush Of Fools!

2) Introduce the band's members using personality traits and musical backgrounds.

Jamie is the youngest of the entire band. He's 17 years old and will actually graduate high school in late May. Jamie's been playing drums since he was 8 years old. Growing up in the small town of Eclectic, AL, he really had nothing else he wanted to do but stay home play drums all day. He's definitely the guy that keeps everyone laughing.

Jacob was born and raised in Gadsden, AL, and he is the second youngest in our band at 18. He's definitely one of the coolest looking guys in the band while bringing the low end on bass. He's got such a passion for leading worship and getting to know people's hearts.

Wes is the lead vocalist, and acoustic and rhythm electric guitar player. Wes is 20 and grew up in Montgomery, AL, leading worship at his church for about six years.

Kevin Huguley is the eldest of the group at 24, while definitely looking the youngest. He has a heart for church planting and leading people in worship. He sings background vocals and plays electric guitar and acoustic guitar.

JD is the newest addition to Rush Of Fools. A long-time friend of the band and extremely talented lead guitar player, JD grew up in the small town of Grant, AL. Age 23, quiet and a little shy, JD will speak enough when he has a guitar in his hands.

3) What was the best piece of advice you received as you competed in the "Band With a Mission" competition?

We received a lot of encouragement from family and friends when we entered the competition. We weren't looking to win anything, but only to receive a written critique of our worship leading skills. So, while going in with that mindset, we really had no worries of winning or losing, but just to better our skills. I think the greatest advice we received was the advice we received from each other while there. We just always kept telling each other to just have fun, and play and lead just like we always do. So, we did.

4) What's the meaning behind the debut (and now #1) single "Undo"?

"Undo" is a song straight from God as cliché as it sounds. While we were leaving a writing session one day, our bags and guitars were literally packed up to leave. God threw this song in our laps and in about an hour, we have what is now "Undo." This song really describes who we are as a band and what we want to say. WE ARE the prodigal sons and WE ARE hypocrites. We say one thing and do another. We, as a band and as humans, sin. The awesomeness is in knowing that God's grace and his love for us is the ONLY thing that can pick us up and turn us around. And we can rest in that grace.

5) What's the biggest theme to your album?

Worship. Worship. Worship. We are a worship band and have always been. While making this record, it was our desire to just write whatever God threw our way. Our biggest hope is that when you listen to this album in your CD player while driving your car, that you will get the same worship experience as if you were at one of our shows.

6) Which do you enjoy more, the process (songwriting, recording) or the performance?

Good question! They all have their benefits. Songwriting is truly where our heart is worn on our sleeve. It's really an amazing experience to just see God give words to us and music and to be able to put that together is an amazing experience. Recording is an amazing experience as well. It's always the time that everyone looks forward to. To finally get to hear and play the music down and put it all together. It's so much fun! All of those are great, but nothing beats getting out on the road, meeting people, sharing our hearts with each other and getting to lead them into worship. It's such a great experience. We definitely have fun live. YOU SHOULD COME TO A SHOW!

7) What's the mission of the band? Is it all about the music or is there more behind the music?

Our name Rush Of Fools comes from 1 Corinthians where Paul is writing to the church at Corinth and is asking them to consider their calling. He continues on to call them out, that not many of them are wise or strong, but they are the foolish that God has chosen, to shame those wise and those that are strong. We believe that we are the foolish that God's chosen to just play this worship lead people to the throne of God. We hope that the meaning behind our name is not just a meaning, but that it can also be a movement. That people will truly understand that God CAN use you, no matter who you are or how bad you think you've messed up. God will use those foolish. So, we hope that people will catch on to this and that people will understand that God really can use them.

8) What's your favorite song to perform?

This is probably a question to ask everyone individually. But, I think as a band there are two that we just cannot wait to play during our show. That would be "When Our Hearts Sing" and "Already." Both are energetic and we love leading with these songs.

9) If you weren't doing music, what would you try your hand at?

Well, we can tell you that we really enjoy our jobs right now of leading worship and just being in a band full-time. But, we all come from different walks. JD would be finishing up his college time at Auburn University. Jamie would be graduation high school and heading off to college. Jacob would be back working at the job he had in Birmingham. Kevin would be planting church and working at a church. Wes would be restoring cars to make a living. As you can see, we all would be doing a broad range of things.

10) What's the best part about coming home? Still in Alabama?

The best part about coming home is getting to see our families. Over half of the band will be married by June, so we have wives to see and families to take care of. That's the most important thing. It's also good getting back to church on Sundays and being able to just sit and worship God without leading sometimes. Then again, there's the funny stuff that doesn't get said sometimes. That would be getting to sleep in and catch up on rest or even washing our smelly clothes!

1) Who would be a dream artist to record with (any genre)?

I'm sure we wouldn't mind recording with Bebo Norman, Jars of Clay, Leeland and many others!

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

We have a couple of favorite cities. Stedman, N.C., has definitely treated us well. We have a lot of fans there and they are wonderful. We always try to stop by Chicago and hang out there. So that's always fun! But, we are closing in on our first trip to New York. We are sure that this will be on the top list, so watch out!

3) What is your favorite road meal?

Hands down, every single person in the band loves Mexican food. Give us a Chicken Fajita Quesadilla any day of the week and we're satisfied!

4) Musical guilty pleasures?

JD and Wes tend to buy and sell gear ALL THE TIME! It's a bad habit that someone needs to break them of!

5) Any practical jokes on the road?

Of course! A lot of times, while driving, Wes will warn the people in the front seat that are awake, to brace themselves. Now, there are usually people asleep in the back of the van and in the second and third rows. Then, he'll slam on the brakes and watch everyone go flying. It's really funny. That is, if you're bracing yourself, or driving!