| Side by Side |
| About Us |
A Side By Side history… Brad Griffis, lead and Gary Brown tenor, have been
singing together since 1999, both were attending Cypress Wesleyan Church on the far
west edge of Columbus at that time.
Having sung with a quartet of another name for many of those years they
decided at the end of 2006 that they would take some time off and pray about
what GOD would direct them to do in the area of ministry. They both agreed
that the ministry of encouragement to a broken and lost world was to be an
important part of what they would like to accomplish through music if and when
a future group was to come to pass.
After considerable time without a direct response from the Lord concerning their
future as a musical ministry had passed, a decision was made.
It was late in 2006 when Gary posted a request at the online site singingnews.com for a
chance to audition with other groups as Gary really wanted to sing!!!
There were lots of inquiries from that posting but one really caught his eye…
A fellow by the name of Dan sent an email and contained therein were
references to a long ago (30 years at least) gospel music relationship on the east
side of Columbus.
It turns out that Dan Ramirez (former baritone) and Gary Brown sang together off and
on in the 1970’s and although they were good friends back then, time and
distance had caused them both to lose track of one another until the flurry of
emails sent as a result of that Singing News posting rekindled their forgotten
friendship.
Danny had moved to Albany, Georgia, sang with a well known regional group
there and had moved back to Columbus, Ohio in the ensuing years since those
east side Columbus days of the late ‘70’s.
The hand of God was at work though…Danny had been also corresponding with
Bruce Landis (bass) after having read his posting on Singing News.com!
When Danny informed Gary of this it was an amazing development but of course
only amazing to them, because God knew what he was doing all along!
After many emails and phone calls with all the potential members who, as of that
time had not even been personally introduced, they decided in December of 2006
to have an initial meeting. They met at a Cracker Barrel for lunch on one cold
and blustery afternoon and had a lively discussion about Gods goodness, their
love for HIM and the excitement they all feel when singing about the Savior,
Jesus Christ, in the quartet style of music.
They decided then and there to form a new group, although they hadn’t sung a
note yet… as they walked out of the restaurant, Bruce suggested “hey we ought
to try harmonizing,” (what an idea) and they stood outside on the sidewalk and
sung Amazing Grace and a few Christmas carols as curious restaurant patrons
walked in for their lunch!
All the members of Side by Side were excited by the first songs they worked on
that day and they have continued to gather weekly for rehearsal and prayer.
And God has so richly blessed...
A couple months later the group was in a situation where they needed a sound
man to help with set up and running the sound system at a Church service
where they were booked and were just unable to find anyone to do that.
Dan suggested that they contact a friend whom he had sung with before, Doug
Taylor (baritone, sound, and what ever else is needed). Doug
agreed to come and help them out.
Doug immediately became a friend to all the members and after a couple of conversations
became the permanent 5th member of the group as our sound engineer, schedule
manager, singer, and all around “go-to-guy”.
After several months, Dan decided to pursue a full time music ministry but because of
God's always faithful, divine plan, Doug stepped into the Baritone role and the group never
missed a beat.
“What is so unique about this group is that we are all equals, no one owns Side
By Side except for the Lord, and despite having no designated Leader we
remain, brothers, friends, and dedicated workers in the kingdom of God. And by
the power and authority of his Son Christ Jesus, our Lord, we are going forth to
proclaim to a lost and broken world that there is incredible hope, and love to be
found in Jesus and him only”!!!
As is found in the book of Esther, we believe we are formed as a group, by a
Sovereign Lord, for such a time as this!
NIV Study Bible: Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and
deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s
family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for
such a time as this?”
As all the members of Side By Side have sung for many years with other groups,
(Brad Griffis even sang full time with a chart topping country band back in the
late 80’s), they bring a wealth of experience in music ministry to what they
believe is a refreshing new sound in gospel music.
Please consider Side By Side for any musical events you may be hosting!
singing together since 1999, both were attending Cypress Wesleyan Church on the far
west edge of Columbus at that time.
Having sung with a quartet of another name for many of those years they
decided at the end of 2006 that they would take some time off and pray about
what GOD would direct them to do in the area of ministry. They both agreed
that the ministry of encouragement to a broken and lost world was to be an
important part of what they would like to accomplish through music if and when
a future group was to come to pass.
After considerable time without a direct response from the Lord concerning their
future as a musical ministry had passed, a decision was made.
It was late in 2006 when Gary posted a request at the online site singingnews.com for a
chance to audition with other groups as Gary really wanted to sing!!!
There were lots of inquiries from that posting but one really caught his eye…
A fellow by the name of Dan sent an email and contained therein were
references to a long ago (30 years at least) gospel music relationship on the east
side of Columbus.
It turns out that Dan Ramirez (former baritone) and Gary Brown sang together off and
on in the 1970’s and although they were good friends back then, time and
distance had caused them both to lose track of one another until the flurry of
emails sent as a result of that Singing News posting rekindled their forgotten
friendship.
Danny had moved to Albany, Georgia, sang with a well known regional group
there and had moved back to Columbus, Ohio in the ensuing years since those
east side Columbus days of the late ‘70’s.
The hand of God was at work though…Danny had been also corresponding with
Bruce Landis (bass) after having read his posting on Singing News.com!
When Danny informed Gary of this it was an amazing development but of course
only amazing to them, because God knew what he was doing all along!
After many emails and phone calls with all the potential members who, as of that
time had not even been personally introduced, they decided in December of 2006
to have an initial meeting. They met at a Cracker Barrel for lunch on one cold
and blustery afternoon and had a lively discussion about Gods goodness, their
love for HIM and the excitement they all feel when singing about the Savior,
Jesus Christ, in the quartet style of music.
They decided then and there to form a new group, although they hadn’t sung a
note yet… as they walked out of the restaurant, Bruce suggested “hey we ought
to try harmonizing,” (what an idea) and they stood outside on the sidewalk and
sung Amazing Grace and a few Christmas carols as curious restaurant patrons
walked in for their lunch!
All the members of Side by Side were excited by the first songs they worked on
that day and they have continued to gather weekly for rehearsal and prayer.
And God has so richly blessed...
A couple months later the group was in a situation where they needed a sound
man to help with set up and running the sound system at a Church service
where they were booked and were just unable to find anyone to do that.
Dan suggested that they contact a friend whom he had sung with before, Doug
Taylor (baritone, sound, and what ever else is needed). Doug
agreed to come and help them out.
Doug immediately became a friend to all the members and after a couple of conversations
became the permanent 5th member of the group as our sound engineer, schedule
manager, singer, and all around “go-to-guy”.
After several months, Dan decided to pursue a full time music ministry but because of
God's always faithful, divine plan, Doug stepped into the Baritone role and the group never
missed a beat.
“What is so unique about this group is that we are all equals, no one owns Side
By Side except for the Lord, and despite having no designated Leader we
remain, brothers, friends, and dedicated workers in the kingdom of God. And by
the power and authority of his Son Christ Jesus, our Lord, we are going forth to
proclaim to a lost and broken world that there is incredible hope, and love to be
found in Jesus and him only”!!!
As is found in the book of Esther, we believe we are formed as a group, by a
Sovereign Lord, for such a time as this!
NIV Study Bible: Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and
deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s
family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for
such a time as this?”
As all the members of Side By Side have sung for many years with other groups,
(Brad Griffis even sang full time with a chart topping country band back in the
late 80’s), they bring a wealth of experience in music ministry to what they
believe is a refreshing new sound in gospel music.
Please consider Side By Side for any musical events you may be hosting!
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