I can’t remember a time when music wasn’t a big part of my life. One of my earliest memories is waking up Mom & Dad on the weekends with my plastic bugle and toy drum. I started playing classical piano at 5, tried trombone in the 4th grade (but didn’t have long enough arms to reach the 7th position) and then, to my parents dismay, switched from piano to guitar at 13. Since I grew up in the 60’s, I thought music could play a part in changing the world. I became a Christian in 1972 and that idea took on a whole new meaning.
Christian rock was new at that time and not looked on favorably by everyone. Nonetheless, I spent several years in the mid-seventies playing with Bob Rorhbacker, an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. Initially we played in bars for money and in churches when we got the chance, but before long we were writing nothing but Christian songs. In the last couple of years we were joined by Mark Kingen, a young bass player who could play bass parts faster than I played guitar and also sing the high harmonies. Those were great years for me, and we made one record but never aspired to be a commercial success. Nonetheless, Ken Scott’s “Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music” described the Rorhbacker, Hendren & Kingen album as “a quantum leap above most homegrown Christian projects”. Unfortunately, I left the group for personal reasons. I tried to keep from losing my guitar skills, but I punished my hands working as a tile contractor through the 80’s and in a skiing accident in the 90’s. In 2000 I was diagnosed with cancer, which helps sharpen one’s perspective. Fortunately, we found it early and I underwent successful surgery. I wanted to at least have a record of the music I had written over the years for my children and my wife, who had never really heard me play. Much to my surprise, when I started working on music, I started writing again and this CD is mainly newer material. I had some struggles with my hands and couldn’t play for over a year, but in 2007 they started to improve and I got back to work. When I could play I dived into the blues. The blues speak so honestly about life’s struggles and even though they are not heard that often in church, David clearly opens the door for us to pour all of our feelings out to God in worship. My guitar playing was always based on the blues, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to play with my heart instead of my head. Although this certainly isn’t a blues album, the blues are its deepest musical influence. This CD tells where I’ve been, where I’m going and how I hope to get there. I’m hoping the songs will speak to your heart and bless you. Regardless of how many people end up hearing these songs, at least I know I dug up my talents and invested them, even if it took a long time. The last verse of the CD sums it up: I’m on the road to glory, but I’ve got a long way to go. 