MUSIC HANDED DOWN TO NEW 'REGENERATION'

Berryhill gets back to basics of worship music

By Alex Murashko

CHULA VISTA, CA (ANS) -- When Pastor Chuck Smith challenged the crowd to “taste and see if the Lord is good” it was like something tugging at his shirt collar, said Bob Berryhill.

On that December evening in 1971 at the Long Beach Auditorium, a group named Love Song had just performed in what came to be known as one of the first set of “Jesus concerts”. Pastor Chuck was just beginning Calvary Chapel in Orange County and leading the Jesus movement in Southern California.

Berryhill, a member of the Surfaris of “Wipe Out” fame, said it was the music that moved him towards becoming a Christian. He was invited by a friend to “just a concert”, not knowing he was going to a Christian outreach event. That evening he took his wife, Gene, and 4-year-old son, Deven, up close to the stage to pray.

Deven Barryhill, now 38, said that even though he was just a kid, he sensed it was a special time.

Like his father, it's the music that moves him now. Deven recently released a worship CD “Regeneration,” his third solo work. While talking about what shapes his music, he remembers his family's life-changing event.

“There was a lot of love in the room so to speak,” Deven said. “They gave an altar call opportunity at the end to come forward and receive Christ and we all went forward.

“That's my dad and mom's testimony, but through that I knew something was going on. I was old enough to see that something was going on.”

The Berryhills immersed themselves in Bible studies and musical worship at Calvary Chapel. Deven was not only exposed to the surf music sounds of his dad's band, but the Christian music of the time, which was the starting point for today's contemporary Christian songs.

Deven started playing the guitar at eight years old and was encouraged to write and play worship songs at Calvary Chapel, where he attended school. He currently teaches worship music in the San Diego area.

Although Regeneration is his first CD in five years, Deven has never been far from music.

“There really is no separating music from Deven,” his father said recently. “He basically grew up listening to it. He knows what good surf music is because he feels it inside him and he likes good instrumental guitar music just like I do.”

Deven has also not gone far from his family's music. The Surfaris reformed in 2001 to include his dad as an original member, his mom and brother, Joel. They currently tour fairly often, bringing their brand of surf music and the added message of how the family has been transformed.

“My dad's vision is to really use the platform that he has with The Surfaris and Wipe Out to share his testimony of how God saved him, Deven said. “Most people that see us playing as a family together think it's kind of shocking. It's really a testimony.

“Many people come up to us afterwards at concerts and say 'wow, it just blows me away that you guys even get along, let alone play in a band.'”
Deven said that his current CD is an effort to get back to the basics of worship music.

“My life verse is Proverb 3:5,6. That scripture is kind of the center of the album in terms of the content,” he said. “Particularly the last 5 years those songs were written and then recorded this last year. All this is personal reflection and scripture the Lord has put on my heart.

“What makes this album and content unique is that it is so centered on scripture. It's really sung prayer or sung scripture. It's my prayers written down.”

Deven said he hopes Regeneration will be uplifting to many people.

“I am hoping that it will encourage Christians who are maybe in a place of renewal in their lives,” he said. “We can go through dry times and need encouragement. It's honest, straight forward. I am not candy coating anything. It's how I have dealt with life with the encouragement of scripture.

“I make music that makes me feel good. When I play it, I am ministered to by it. I know there a lot of people going through the same things I am going through. They're struggling. Living in this world, it's crazy. Today's society is so fast paced.”

Deven said the Jesus concert he attended nearly 35 years ago really impacted him. Pastor Chuck and the worship music of the time was “kind of an anchor for a generation of people that was just lost.” Now, he hopes his music can do the same.

“I think this generation is wanting to get back to the simplicity of the good news of Jesus Christ, the gospel, the simple truth of Jesus and what he came to do and to die for and rose for.

“This album is kind of like a spiritual B-12 shot in the arm.” he said.  His father said the Regeneration CD is a good example of his son's desire to serve God.

“Deven is a motivator. He just wants to keep moving all the time, creating musically,” he said. “So this is where he is at right now and I think it's a great place. He's done a fine job in creating this album.  “I think it is going to be a classic at some point in time because of his desire to be a part of the Christian music scene.”

For booking info or to hear Deven Berryhill go to www.worshipxcellence.com.

Alex Murashko is a freelance journalist and can be reached by email address: alexmurashko@yahoo.com.