Local group up for Inspirational Country Music awards

Faith has played a definite role in the development of The Springs.

Formed two years ago as a teen Christian-country band, they make no apologies for their faith and the fact it appears in the music they perform.

“We want to have uplifting music,” said Brent Johnson, 19, the band’s acoustic guitar player.

The Springs, he added, doesn’t want to do songs about getting drunk, cheating on someone or how “my truck is awesome.” But the young musicians have discovered dropping the “J-bomb” brings its own challenges when you’re seeking airtime on mainstream country radio stations.

“We say, ‘Jesus,’ so we can’t be on the radio,” Johnson said.

But someone has taken notice of this band from Enterprise.

The Springs are up for several Inspirational Country Music awards through the Christian Country Music Association, including Vocal Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year and the Youth in Music Award. They plan to travel to Nashville, Tenn., for the Oct. 16 awards ceremony, where they will also perform in a music showcase.

Their first single off the CD “Teens on a Mission” edged out George Strait’s “I Saw God Today” for No. 1 this month on the Christian-country chart, as ranked by Power Source magazine, and was No. 4 on the gospel country chart.

That single, “Mommy’s Little Man,” was written by Stewart Halcomb, an 18-year-old graduate of Enterprise High School and The Springs’ male vocalist. Three aunts who are single moms were the inspiration. It’s one of three songs on the CD, recorded in Nashville, written by Halcomb.

“It’s definitely been humbling — for us to go from nowhere to No. 1 on Christian-country charts and people wanting our autographs,” Stewart said.

The 12 tracks on the CD are intended to be inspirational, filled with messages of hope and triumph: “They Chose Love” tells of a girl’s unplanned pregnancy, “Ugly” delves into inner beauty, and “Held in His Love” is a tribute Stewart wrote to eight fellow students killed in last year’s tornado.

Four of the band’s six members — Stewart, Brent, Brandon Nelson and Jon Saunders — played together in a string band with Future Farmers of America while students at Enterprise High School. Female vocalist Kristie DeWolfe, 16, of Skipperville and drummer Olajuwon Jackson, 17, of New Brockton came later.

Halcomb’s father, Randy, who is the group’s manager, was actually behind the creation of The Springs. He attended a mission trip to Mobile where 40 kids accepted Christ, and it got the former soccer coach and businessman thinking.

“I’m Baptist, and we show up to eat, but are we really concerned about others?” Randy Halcomb said. “Are we really concerned about lost souls?”

He wanted to inspire young people. Himself inspired by watching his son perform with his friends in the FFA string band, Halcomb decided to make a documentary about the making of a teen country band and held an open-casting call in Enterprise.

The reality show premise didn’t pan out, but Halcomb started Country for Christ Productions and The Springs were born.

The band members don’t what the future will hold. For now, they’re either busy with high school, starting college or holding down jobs.

“I feel like this is God’s place for me at this time,” Stewart Halcomb said.

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The Springs
What: A CD release party for The Springs, a Christian-country group from Enterprise.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m.
Where: Hillcrest Baptist Church Youth Center in Enterprise
Cost: Free
Other: For more on The Springs, visit http://www.myspace.com/thespringsmusic or http://www.thesprings.us