Special D’s title track Over and Over (playing now). Click the  button to hear the
hard rock of Nothing Else. |
The band’s much-anticipated Release Show for their much-anticipated album, Over and Over, will rock the Great Room at the First Baptist Church, 2890 Broadway. The big bash is set for Friday, February 29. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. Presented by Livewire Student Ministries, the show is $5 at the door.
And, as if we need any extra incentive to show up, everyone attending the event will be entered to win a brand new Fender Stratocaster! Way to share the love, Special D!Playing together for the past three years, Special D is part indie, part rock and part Christian. Lead singer Craig Felker, 24, is just about the cutest thing ever. He recently joined Bellewood Homes for Children in LowerTown as a case manager helping foster kids, ages 17 and above, transition into independent living. He’s married to, as he says on his MySpace page, “the most beautiful woman in the world.” That would be the beautiful Stephanie Felker of the very famous William Sledd Ask a Gay Man: Denim Edition video, as well as this fun blog.
The three other band members are based in Hopkinsville. Guitarist LJ Granstaff, 29, and drummer Jason Killebrew, 25, spend their days working at Music Central. Bass player Joel Purdy, 26, works at Lee Rents.
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| Craig Felker (vocals), Jason Killebrew (drums), LJ Granstaff (guitar), and Joel Purdy (bass) |
“This is very exciting for us,” Felker says. “We’ve spent a year working on this album, and we’ve had so many people with us since day one – family, friends, fans. The difference between where we were then and where we are now is just amazing. I hope to be able to say that again two years from now.”
Felker credits well-known record producer Ainslie Grosser with helping Special D make a huge leap forward. Grosser produced Over and Over. He also produces songs for the Backstreet Boys and Warner Brothers’ breakout band Mute Math.
“To us, this is the culmination of everything the band has been,” Felker says. “By working with Ainslie, we’ve put out an album that’s on par with anything you hear on the radio. When you’re an indie band, it’s almost impossible to get an album out that sounds this good unless you’re willing to put a large investment into it. For us, this is a chance to let the songs do the speaking for themselves.”Entertainment writer Andy Argyrakis is definitely a fan of the album. In a recent review, he says the band delivers “slicing guitar sounds, soaring melodies and infectious party appeal.” Special D, he says, “merges the dynamic worlds of The Killers, Switchfoot and U2’s most recent era to empower, enchant and entrance with unending charisma every step of the way.”
Special D most definitely empowers, enchants and entrances. They’re not just super easy on the eyes – they strive to deliver a message that’s inspiring to the ears.
“We’re four guys who believe in Jesus – and that obviously affects how we write our songs,” Felker says. “But we’re not like a traditional southern gospel band. We do a full-on rock concert production. “We’re just trying to make music that’s relevant and that connects with people,” he adds. “Our goal is to get the crowd having an absolute blast and leaving with a feeling that’s better than they had before the show.”
