The Swift
Encyclopedia
The Swift was a contemporary Christian pop/rock band, originally formed in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
in the late 1990s.
While Christ Denomination was ending, Regeneration X was beginning in a local Baptist church with a few teens, Danny Daughtridge (vocals/bass/song writer), Mike Simons (drums) and Matt Wilder (lead guitarist). Regex, as they were known by locals, sounded like a teen garage band at the time. Jason Williams was free from any band obligations so he joined Regex as a rhythm guitarist to give them a fuller sound. Britt Edwards was asked to join the band after a party in the back yard of a mutual friend, Christ Turner. A great musical shift in the band occurred when Adam Stone was asked to join and play drums (also Animal played for a short while as well). This proved to be one of the greatest gifts to Mike Simons. He moved to percussion and expressed his giftedness in one of the meanest harmonica solos this side of Heaven. Over the next three years the 14 year old Simons would become an accomplished percussionist, bassist, guitarist and even, a banjo player. Regex took off in the local area and created a large fan base. As time progressed, Britt Edwards had always felt a calling and also was pursuing a solo ministry, which left Regex without a full-time front man.
Second Nature, was also in the making and put two Christ Denomination members back together. Dwayne Coppedge and West Adams created a christian pop duo. With a lot of help and support from Britt Edwards, Second Nature recorded soundtracks to perform live on stage. In 1995, Second Nature traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to perform in the Atlanta-fest Artist Talent Competition where they won First Place. After AtlantaFest, Second Nature needed to expand their ministry, sound and stage presence.
In a collaboration of talent, Pastor John Linton helped to open another opportunity for these young musicians. Together with, West Adams, Dwayne Coppedge, Matt Wilder, Mike Simons and Bo Faulkner "Zaccheus Tree" was formed. John Linton of Greenville, NC promoted and managed the band as a mentor, financial advisor and friend. With original music, strong vocals and powerful guitar ballads the bands ministry grew quickly. Mike Simons and Matt Wilder were still in High School, however Zaccheus Tree allowed them the chance to perform not only on the local stage but on a much larger regional level. During the bands time together they ministered and performed all over the Southeast. The band was asked to open for several major christian artists, which offered the hope of a record deal. However, with time conflicts and creative differences the band decided, together, to explore different musical avenues. Zaccheus Tree ended in 1998. West Adams went on writing, singing and performing, focusing on country and pop. Dwayne Coppedge joined, The Anchorman (A popular Southern Gospel Group) and now is serving in a local church with his wife and two children.
With Daughtridge and Edwards bandless the two friends soon started meeting together and writing/recording music. Jason Williams would join them in their efforts at times. They called themselves "Puddleglum" after the C.S. Lewis character
in The Chronicles of Narnia
. Chris Byers replaced Jason Williams and Phillip Wall was brought in as a lead guitarist. Byers' college buddy, Trae Drose, became the permanent drummer around the same time. Danny Daughtridge left (and now performs as the Danny Daughtridge Trio) and was replaced by Wall's brother-in-law, Phil Sabella, who would later go on to form Oldmangrady with Lee Modlin and Joe Knowles. Mike Simons joined as percussionist and vocalist. Phillip Wall left to attend seminary and the band continued as a four-piece. As the band began to tour, it gained popularity which fueled the need for original music and a record label.
In 2002, the group was given the opportunity to sign on with Flicker Records
and changed their name to The Swift. That same year the band released their self-titled album which produced two top ten Contemporary Christian hits: "Under The Sun" and "More Than Gold." Shortly after their album release, The Swift picked up touring dates opening up for the popular Christian band, Mercy Me.
Early 2004 brought about a line-up change. Guitarist Chris Byers decided to leave the band and was replaced by Justin Sharbono (formerly of Superchic[k
] fame). The Swift then released their second album entitled Today.
After only seven months with the band, guitarist Sharbono left the band to pursue other interests. In order to fill the void, the band decided to reach back into their hometown and added guitarist Matt Wilder (also from Zaccheus Tree) to the roster in December 2004. Drummer Trae Drose announced his decision to leave the band in May 2006. He has been recently replaced by Guy Lemon.
In 2006, the band broke with Flicker Records
and signed with Rocketown Records
and released a softer, more contemplative album, Singing Back to You. At the Life Conference in Orlando, Florida the band announced that they were exploring other opportunities and the worship concert they gave would be the last performance of The Swift.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
in the late 1990s.
History
In the early 1990s Britt Edwards, Jason Light, Dwayne Coppedge, and West Adams were singing in the band Christ Denomination (or CD Boys). At times the band invited such friends as Jason Brown (Sessoms) and Adam Stone to perform with them. This was one of the first Christian bands that Edwards would be in. Christ Denomination performed original songs as well as covers (DC Talk was a favorite). CD Boys split. Jason Light went on to be a sheriff's deputy, marry his sweetheart, Ginger, and have two children. He is presently doing sales and serving the Lord. Jason went on to start No Ticket, No Problem, a free concert that featured such artists as T-Bone, Christafari and The Swift.While Christ Denomination was ending, Regeneration X was beginning in a local Baptist church with a few teens, Danny Daughtridge (vocals/bass/song writer), Mike Simons (drums) and Matt Wilder (lead guitarist). Regex, as they were known by locals, sounded like a teen garage band at the time. Jason Williams was free from any band obligations so he joined Regex as a rhythm guitarist to give them a fuller sound. Britt Edwards was asked to join the band after a party in the back yard of a mutual friend, Christ Turner. A great musical shift in the band occurred when Adam Stone was asked to join and play drums (also Animal played for a short while as well). This proved to be one of the greatest gifts to Mike Simons. He moved to percussion and expressed his giftedness in one of the meanest harmonica solos this side of Heaven. Over the next three years the 14 year old Simons would become an accomplished percussionist, bassist, guitarist and even, a banjo player. Regex took off in the local area and created a large fan base. As time progressed, Britt Edwards had always felt a calling and also was pursuing a solo ministry, which left Regex without a full-time front man.
Second Nature, was also in the making and put two Christ Denomination members back together. Dwayne Coppedge and West Adams created a christian pop duo. With a lot of help and support from Britt Edwards, Second Nature recorded soundtracks to perform live on stage. In 1995, Second Nature traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to perform in the Atlanta-fest Artist Talent Competition where they won First Place. After AtlantaFest, Second Nature needed to expand their ministry, sound and stage presence.
In a collaboration of talent, Pastor John Linton helped to open another opportunity for these young musicians. Together with, West Adams, Dwayne Coppedge, Matt Wilder, Mike Simons and Bo Faulkner "Zaccheus Tree" was formed. John Linton of Greenville, NC promoted and managed the band as a mentor, financial advisor and friend. With original music, strong vocals and powerful guitar ballads the bands ministry grew quickly. Mike Simons and Matt Wilder were still in High School, however Zaccheus Tree allowed them the chance to perform not only on the local stage but on a much larger regional level. During the bands time together they ministered and performed all over the Southeast. The band was asked to open for several major christian artists, which offered the hope of a record deal. However, with time conflicts and creative differences the band decided, together, to explore different musical avenues. Zaccheus Tree ended in 1998. West Adams went on writing, singing and performing, focusing on country and pop. Dwayne Coppedge joined, The Anchorman (A popular Southern Gospel Group) and now is serving in a local church with his wife and two children.
With Daughtridge and Edwards bandless the two friends soon started meeting together and writing/recording music. Jason Williams would join them in their efforts at times. They called themselves "Puddleglum" after the C.S. Lewis character
Puddleglum
Puddleglum is a fictional character in the children's fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Puddleglum appears in The Silver Chair, in which he is a principal character. He also appears briefly at the end of The Last Battle...
in The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children by C. S. Lewis. It is considered a classic of children's literature and is the author's best-known work, having sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages...
. Chris Byers replaced Jason Williams and Phillip Wall was brought in as a lead guitarist. Byers' college buddy, Trae Drose, became the permanent drummer around the same time. Danny Daughtridge left (and now performs as the Danny Daughtridge Trio) and was replaced by Wall's brother-in-law, Phil Sabella, who would later go on to form Oldmangrady with Lee Modlin and Joe Knowles. Mike Simons joined as percussionist and vocalist. Phillip Wall left to attend seminary and the band continued as a four-piece. As the band began to tour, it gained popularity which fueled the need for original music and a record label.
In 2002, the group was given the opportunity to sign on with Flicker Records
Flicker Records
Flicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
and changed their name to The Swift. That same year the band released their self-titled album which produced two top ten Contemporary Christian hits: "Under The Sun" and "More Than Gold." Shortly after their album release, The Swift picked up touring dates opening up for the popular Christian band, Mercy Me.
Early 2004 brought about a line-up change. Guitarist Chris Byers decided to leave the band and was replaced by Justin Sharbono (formerly of Superchic[k
Superchick
Superchick, originally known as Superchic[k], is an American Christian alternative pop/rock band. Their music incorporates various styles such as pop, punk, rock, rap, and R&B. Their sound has been compared to mainstream artists No Doubt and Avril Lavigne with a heavier sound...
] fame). The Swift then released their second album entitled Today.
After only seven months with the band, guitarist Sharbono left the band to pursue other interests. In order to fill the void, the band decided to reach back into their hometown and added guitarist Matt Wilder (also from Zaccheus Tree) to the roster in December 2004. Drummer Trae Drose announced his decision to leave the band in May 2006. He has been recently replaced by Guy Lemon.
In 2006, the band broke with Flicker Records
Flicker Records
Flicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
and signed with Rocketown Records
Rocketown Records
Rocketown Records was an independent record label which was started in 1996 by Michael W. Smith. The dream was to create a new, independent Christian record label that wouldn't follow the rules of the modern music business. In the fall of 1995, Michael W. Smith met with Don Donahue, who was, at...
and released a softer, more contemplative album, Singing Back to You. At the Life Conference in Orlando, Florida the band announced that they were exploring other opportunities and the worship concert they gave would be the last performance of The Swift.
Band members
The band's current lineup consists of:- Britt Edwards - piano and vocals (1998–present)
- Matt Wilder - guitar (2004–present)
- Mike Simons - bass guitar and vocals (1998–present)
- Guy Lemon - drums/percussion (2006–present)
Former members
- Chris Byers - guitar (1998–2004)
- Justin Sharbono - guitar (2004)
- Trae Drose - drums/percussion(1998–2006)