NewKings

NewKings is a Christian acoustic
band traveling the United States
providing live performance music
as well as leading worship for
various events and churches. Their
powerful vocally-driven style is
recognized throughout their state
and hometown of Bartlesville.
“It’s a hobby that’s grown into
a passion,” said Caleb Gordon,
vocalist. “We are excited to see
where God will take us with this
ministry.”
Over the last year, NewKings
has been collaborating on their
first studio album, “Rise Up,” that
will be released later this year. This
Oklahoma-rooted album has 12
original, dual-harmony acoustically
composed songs including one
titled “Let Freedom Ring.”
“This song shares about the
Earth-shattering emotion the
people who witness Jesus’ life from
beginning to end must have gone
through,” said Aaron Vaughan,
vocalist/guitar. “It must have been
something so powerful.”
Aaron found inspiration in the
Gospels for most of the songwriting
and worked with Jeff Wann,
drums/guitar, who said he found
new appreciation for putting an
album together. The band went
through trial and error in discovering
their Christian Americana blend of
Christ-centered rock and folk. They
describe it as a mix between, Shane
and Shane with their powerful vocal
harmonies, and the soul-filled styles
and melodies of NeedtoBreathe.
“Our music is like us in our daily
walks with Christ,” said Aaron. “It’s
a work in progress, always being
molded and shaped to fit who we
are in Him.”
NewKings was born back in
2013 when founding member Caleb
approached Aaron at a college bible
study. Since then they added Jeff
and Josh Adams, bass guitar. The
band’s name came from the idea of
when someone accepts Christ (the
King of Kings) into their life; they
become heirs to heaven– kings and
queens.
NewKings has shared the stage
with many Christian artists such as
Propaganda, Andy Mineo, Derek
Minor and Dre Murray.
On August 11, NewKings will
be opening for Chris August and
Shane & Shane on the Bartlesville
Community Center stage. Chris
August’s song “Starry Night”
reached No. 1 on the Billboard
Christian Songs chart and was
nominated at the 2011 Dove
Awards in five categories. Shane &
Shane have sold millions of albums
worldwide through albums such
as their multiple volume sets titled
“Worship Initiatives.” Tickets are on
sale now at the BCC Box Office.
Later this summer, NewKings
makes the journey east to play to
a crowd of 18,000, including the
president, at the National Boyscout
Jamboree in West Virginia.
“It’s the moments we get up
on the stage; just us and our
instruments,” said Aaron. “We share
a message through song and words
and you can see the light switch
turn on in the eyes of the audience!
We are touching people’s hearts
and lives. And that’s what this is
all about - sharing Jesus and the
Gospel with others. When the youth
see how we aren’t perfect, they
know they don’t have to be perfect,
and that’s okay, because Jesus is.”
Followers can connect with
NewKings on several social
platforms such as social media,
website and music apps. The band
started posting music videos on
YouTube upon request and has seen
up to 13,000 views.
“People are responding more
than we could’ve ever imagined,”
added Jeff. “These videos have
given us a feel of who we are
becoming. It’s been a good learning
experience. And we look forward to
what God has ahead for us.” v
“And when the musician played, the
hand of the Lord came upon him.”
– 2 Kings 3:15
by Lori Esser - b Monthly Magazine