One local band based in Buckhannon is taking a shot at making a difference in the lives of young people, not only in West Virginia but across the U.S..
The Christian-positive rock band Franklin Project was founded by Franklin Gump, who resides on Fairlawn Drive in Buckhannon. The band has five members including Sam Hurst on lead guitar; Cody Berkenstock on drums; Chad Rector on bass; Lydia Simons on key board and vocals; and Gump on lead vocals.
"We are still in the infant stage," Gump said, "but we believe God is going to use us."
Gump was born Dec. 17, 1963, in Clarksburg, graduating from South Harrison High School at Lost Creek. Although Gump was raised in a church atmosphere, his musical influences shifted from gospel to rock and roll, with a long list of entertainers like Kiss, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC others he idolized.
Gump begin performing at clubs at age 17 as a bass player. Drugs and alcohol were a common part of the rock scene, and Gump played the rocker part well.
In 1985, Gump moved to Richmond, Va., where he audition for the then-Top 40 band "Cheers" and performed for top corporate events and on the dance club circuits throughout Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
In 1988, Gump packed up and headed to Florida after receiving a call about forming a band. In 1993, Gump was presented an opportunity to audition for the Orlando-based "Barrage," who had a Budweiser sponsorship and had just released a new album.
After years of running from God, Gump said he surrendered his life back to Jesus Christ in 1993. The origins of many of his songs today are a result of the things he had done in the past, the situations he'd gone through and the sacrifices he made along the way.
Gump felt he was being called closer to home and in December 2005, he left Florida and returned to West Virginia. Gump settled in Buckhannon and discovered the Way of Holiness and knew this was the church that God had brought him to.
The Franklin Project is a rock worship ministry that has come as a result of one man's full circle in life.
When Gump returned home two years ago, he began writing his album. He then signed with Tate Music Group of Oklahoma City, Okla., last year.
"The album is finished, and we are having a CD release concert in Buckhannon June 20," Gump said. "After all these years, finally, I know exactly what God has called me to do."
The concert will be on the Way of Holiness Church campus off of Corridor H west of Buckhannon. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The concert will be a big production, with professional filming for a "live concert" video release.
For more information or concert times and dates, call 304-472-8208 or visit the band's Web site at www.franklin4christ.com.
