One Body - One God

One Body - One God
www.U41.org
Biog raphies
MyRock Records
THE TEAM
Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D..................................................................Publicist
Kelly Pavlovic
Feather & Stone Designs
www.feather-stone.com.................................. Graphic Design, Web Development
Ellie Vayo
Ellie Vayo Photography
www.evayo.com.................................................................................. Photography
Roger Bernsdorf......................................................................Road Crew Manager
And many other angels, too many to list.................................................................
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Mission Statement:
To unite, expand, and build the body of Christ
through music, message and worship.
One body - One God!
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Rich Spina
k e yb oa rdi st/g uita r i st
Rich Spina has become one of Cleveland’s most enduring musical talents. He
has maintained a steady profile as rock singer, professional songwriter, musical
director, road manager, keyboard player and record producer.
Rich’s professional career began in the 1970’s fronting a band that became
known as Love Affair. Over the ensuing decade, that band evolved into a tight
professional recording act that released two albums nationally and had a hit
record with “Mama Sez,” a rocking pop song that Rich co-wrote.
When Love Affair folded, the next endeavor for Rich was a solo project he
dubbed Richard & The Heartbeats. That band would not last as long as his
previous project, but would give him national credibility with another original
song entitled “Somebody Loves You” – a track that received a national pick in
Billboard Magazine and regional airplay.
From 1987 through 2004 Rich was with Gary Lewis & The Playboys; as musical
director, road manager, keyboard player and producer. He’s backed countless
other touring acts such as Billy J. Kramer, Mitch Ryder, Lou Christie, Ian
Hunter, Fabian and Mark Lindsay. Rich has also toured as musical director,
keyboard player, and road manager for:
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The Sensational Sixties Tour 1998- 2006
The Rock-n-Roll Army Tour 1999-2001
The 30 Years Of Rock-n-Roll Tour 1992
The Super Rock Of The 60’s Tour 1988-1991
With the ability to play keyboard, guitar, or bass, Rich is presently a valuable
member of Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. Rich also plays in his
church praise team and has joined the Christian/Gospel group U41.
When not on the road, Rich spends his time producing and writing songs for
other artists in his studio, RBS Recording. Some of the artists that have recorded
his songs are Sonny Geraci, Gary Lewis and Billy Hufsey, to name a few.
Additionally, Rich has produced sessions for Billy J. Kramer and Mark Lindsay.
Rich released his last solo project in 2005 and recently the debut CD for U41.
More on Rich at www.RichSpina.com
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Donna Bernsdorf
founder
For as long as she can remember, Donna’s been magnetic to music.
It was in her teens that she began to compose her own songs one of which
became her high school senior class theme and her first recording. It was that
song “Look at Us” that also won her the talent competition in the 1984 greater
Miss Cleveland beauty contest and the beginning of a secular music career.
In her early twenties, Donna along with her manager founded the “all-girl” band
“Lipstick.” Lipstick had a regional top 20 hit peaking at #15 - a song co-written
by Donna.
After the group disbanded she met her husband Roger. It was during this
time of her life that she felt compelled to pursue a deeper and more gratifying
relationship with God. The two became members of the Broadview Heights.
Friends Evangelical Church and Donna became the keyboard player for the
praise team.
Donna has been on the praise team since 1997 and her songs have been a
welcome addition to their praise and worship. In addition to her basic studies,
she has nurtured her musical abilities by attending Maranatha praise and worship
workshops and has sharpened her writing skills by attending the Babbie Mason
music conference in Norcross, GA. She has played regionally with Christian
bands and has even filled in for the men’s Promise Keepers rallies on keyboards.
In 2006 after a chain of events, Donna switched gears from releasing a solo CD
to being the founder of “U41.” “U41” is a group of extremely talented musicians
on a mission to unite the body of Christ. Donna enjoys all different types of
music including country, pop, rock and urban feels and has brought all the
flavors to their debut CD in her music.
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Gary Zielski
bass guitarist
Gary had what he affectionately refers to as the music bug at the age of thirteen
when he decided to take up the bass guitar.
He is a self-taught musician and has a melodic style similar to that of Paul
McCartney. With his natural ear and musical ability to play Gary became the
“go to” man in the region when a bass player was needed.
Gary played in bands for 25 years that included all varieties of music including
Motown, country, and rock. He enjoys playing a variety of music styles.
In 1992 Gary joined the praise team band at The Friends Church of Broadview
Heights, Ohio and knew that he could no longer play secular music. He has
played with several Christian contemporary bands regionally and can be heard
on numerous studio recordings.
Gary is a member of the Northeast Ohio Promise Keepers Band. One of Gary’s
best memories is when he traveled on a mission trip to Hungary to play at newly
established churches with the church praise team. Gary says “It was extremely
rewarding to encourage them to spread the word of God through music and to
show them how you can put worship together even when instruments or funds
are scarce.”
Gary is the proud husband to his wife Diane and blessed father to Chris, Kate,
Carrie, Matt, Maria and Jeff. When it comes to grandchildren he says he’s
blessed with too many to mention!
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Pas t o r C h a d D e We e rd
guitar
A recorded minister in the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region, with
eighteen years in the pastorate, Pastor DeWeerd has served the past nine years
as senior pastor of The Friends Church in Broadview Heights, OH. Prior to his
call to ministry, Pastor Chad was both a P.G.A. golf professional and U.S.P.T.A.
tennis professional as well as playing intercollegiate athletics for the University
of Michigan. His educational background includes studies at the University of
Michigan, the Moody Bible Institute and Michigan Theological Seminary.
Recently recognized by Promise Keepers as one of the “100 Most Influential
Pastors”; he serves as a point man for men’s ministries as both a worship leader and
sought after speaker. From regularly ministering amongst the inner-city homeless of
The City Mission to travelling abroad to foreign lands, Pastor Chad has responded
to Christ’s call to “Go, into all the world...” beginning with our neighborhoods and
reaching out to even the remotest parts of the earth. Over the past decade, his travels
have taken him behind the former Iron Curtain with musical teams, leadership
training and as an evangelist ministering amongst the people of Hungary, Romania
and Albania.
Pastor Chad continues to challenge both the church and the unchurched to “find
and further their faith” through: crusades, concerts, television appearances, sports
clinics, as a recording artist and as host of the weekly radio ministry, “In The Name
Of The Lord” which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary on the air. DeWeerd’s
involvement in the newly formed group U41 (United For One), marks just one
of the numerous recording projects he has been privileged to have been a part of,
including a solo gospel album entitled, “I’ve Come To Serve.” He can also be heard
lending his voice talents to the soundtrack recording of the upstart musical, “The
Birth” portraying the role of Jesus.
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In addition to his musical and evangelistic ministries, Pastor DeWeerd has purposed
to utilize his past professional athletic experience to open doors and hearts to the
gospel. “GOLF: A Lesson Tee For Life” is an outreach golf ministry designed to
share the similarities between the game of golf and faith. Complete with ‘trick
shot” demonstrations, hands-on instruction and biblical insight for living, this clinic
has been conducted for businesses, community youth programs, sports banquets,
high school golf teams, civic organizations, church groups and the likes. Pastor
Chad also founded “Second Serve” a similar ministry based on the fundamentals of
the game of tennis intended to teach and promote the grace of God at work when
life…“serves up a fault.”
DeWeerd’s daily prayer continues to be… “Lord, help me to love You more than
I love serving You.” It’s from this relationship as a child of God that he considers
his role as husband to wife Debbie and father of seven children: Cody, Miranda,
Jordan, Miranda, Jordan, Madison, Conner, Jamison and Carson to be his greatest
gift and joy! And it’s from this heart that Pastor Chad DeWeerd comes to share with
congregations he ministers to; preaching God’s Word and leading in worship with a
contagious love for life, people and the Lord.
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Wes Coolbaugh
guitarist
Wes was born in Princeton, WV. He was raised a southern Baptist who comes
from a family of musicians and coalminers who played Bluegrass, traditional
and Gospel music. Wes is proud to say that he had an uncle who was the house
guitar player for the Grand Ole Opry in the early 60’s and says his grandmother
and great grandmother both played guitar, fiddle and banjo for the church until
their death.
Wes is a self taught guitar player and started playing seriously at the age of 14.
He also plays fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Aside from his roots, Wes was
influenced by Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and yes Jimi Hendrix to start.
Wes met his now long time friend Rich Spina in a high school concert and
recruited him as a singer/keyboardist for his band Stairway. It wasn’t long
before they would land a record deal and now be known as “Love Affair.” They
released three albums, two with Atlantic Records and one with RCA Records.
The album charted in the top 10 in many markets some at #1. They had national
success selling over 100,000 units and toured the U.S. and Canada to record
breaking crowds. Wes has shared the stage with AC/DC, ZZ TOP, Eddie
Money, Pat Benatar, Sammy Hagar, and The Cars to name a few. The band
toured for 12 years then disbanded and went their separate ways.
An entrepreneur at heart, Wes went in a different direction in the mid 80’s and
opened his own business. Between dating and marriage, Wes has been with his
wife Candy now a combination of 20 years. During this time he put his business
aside and teamed up with his father-in-law and is now the General Manager
for their family Janitorial Supply and Equipment Company. It is a multimillion
dollar company with 25 employees
Wes still plays and sings with sixties acts like Mitch Ryder, Andy Kim,
Badfinger, The Hollies, Lou Christie, and the list goes on.
With this history of achievements, Wes says his greatest are his two daughters
Leah and Karah. “I hope to pass on my love for God and all the great spiritual
thoughts and feelings that go with my faith in Jesus Christ like my mother
did for me. I hope to give them some love for music as well” says Wes. “I still
consider myself an entertainer/musician first and still pursue all that comes
with doing this as a seasoned player. As much as I enjoy secular music, it’s
much more rewarding to be back at my roots in Gospel music.”
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Timothy “The Bishop” James
keyboardist
Tim has traveled the world, sharing his talent in Milan, Italy and Europe, as
well as throughout the United States as one of gospel’s premier accompanists.
Known to many as “The Bishop,” he began his music studies in Cleveland at
the Music School Settlement and Cleveland State before going on to play for
some of the nation’s top artists, including Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin,
and Yolanda Adams.
In the past 12 years, he has served as a praise and worship leader and is now
an ordained elder and assistant pastor to Bishop Lincoln Haughton at the
Cleveland Church of Christ.
Tim is a lover of music who travels, speaks and evangelizes regionally.
He lives in Bedford, Ohio with his wife and his two children and was
nominated for Metropolitan Magazine’s Who’s Who list of people “Most Likely
to Succeed.”
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Craig A. Price
drummer
Craig was born and raised in the Cleveland area and from an early age always
had a burning desire to play the drums. As a youngster he can remember
making himself a complete drum set made out of paint cans, garbage cans
and lids for cymbals. He would play on them for hours on end and one day a
neighbor recognizing his dedication, suggested to his father that he may want to
consider buying Craig the real thing.
Craig’s father did make that purchase and it set the path for what would be a
long string of high school bands and endless opportunities to make music!
During this time he took his self-taught ability and dedication and created for
himself quite a reputation for his talent.
Craig says he was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and came to know
the Lord at an early age. His only challenge was that he knew he really only
wanted to use his talent for the Lord and there wasn’t much of an avenue for
drums. It wasn’t long before Christian artists like Rich Mullins started to
surface and this created a whole new hope for better opportunity.
Craig joined Willoughby Hills Friends church where he found a home on the
praise team and has been a member for the past 11 years. He is grateful that
contemporary services offered him an avenue to use his talent as another
opportunity to worship.
With exposure from the praise team, Craig had begun to sift through offers
from area Christian bands and play regionally with two in particular. He soon
found himself in the studio, recording on projects and collaborating on songs.
It was through one of these bands that he was discovered and asked to join U41.
Craig is now a member and featured on the debut CD of U41 to be released in
March of 2007. When asked about his desire to play, Craig says “God has given
me this talent and it has become my testimony every time I pick up my sticks! I
love to play and I love the Lord!”
Craig and his wife Donna have been married for 27 years and are blessed
with their four children; Brittany, Alan, Evan and Faren. They also celebrate
grandchildren Tanner and Stephen.
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