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What to Expect

JULIAN DRIVE
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Julian Drive is a Christian band that is committed to using their gifts and talents to honor and serve God. The primary objective of Julian Drive is to effectively execute Christ’s commission by utilizing a musical forum to attract the hearts of non-Christians, present to them the gospel through the message of their songs, and to win them to Christ, as well as to minister to and enhance the worship experience of fellow Christian believers through their unique style of music and song delivery.

In late 1998 there was a rapidly growing ministry in Athens, Georgia, called “Refuge Student Ministries”. The ministry was comprised of youth and young adults who were hungry to share the message of Jesus Christ to the world, and to do so in a way that would most effectively connect with today’s generation. Within that group were some very gifted teen musicians. Among those teens was Shaun Bennett; Julian Drive keyboard player. That same year, lead singer Shane Bowers was asked to be a part of the ministry and became the worship leader of “Refuge” for the next six years. This new coalition would forever influence their life, music, and witness.

By mid 1999, opportunities for ministry began to arise through this local ministry and mission teams, and the group, then known as simply “Refuge”, began playing regularly outside the four walls of the church. By the fall of 2001 the group finally had a missing piece added to the mix, when lead guitarist Jesse Triplett joined. His family moved to the local church in Athens, after suffering through tragedy in their hometown church. Jesse was already an incredible musician with a heart for God and simply needed a place to channel his gift. He was greeted with an open invitation right away and filled a big void in the group.

As the gradual evolution of the band took place, the passion to reach the world became a part of each member. After a few personnel changes throughout the years and growth of the ministry, they eventually morphed from Refuge into Julian Drive. Drummer, Brian Wilson was a perfect fit and was invited to join the team in January 2006 and in August of 2006 James Nitz was added on the bass.
In the summer of 2004, the group was one of more than 2,000 entrants in the nation’s largest Christian music competition, Exalting Him 2004, competing for a recording contract. They won First Place in the Southern Region, and moved on to the competition finals in Nashville, Tennessee, which were aired on TBN over a 5-night period in November 2004. Julian Drive (then still known as Refuge) won FIRST PLACE in that national competition, being named “Exalting Him’s Best New Christian Talent of 2004” and received a recording contract with Vital Communications. Julian Drive has since shared the stage with such artists as Steve Curtis Chapman, Sonic Flood, Matthew West, Israel Houghton, The Crabb Family, Tree 63, Tait, Building 429, Big Daddy Weave, Salvador, David Phelps, among others, and have tour dates with Newsong, the Katinas, Grits, Day of Fire, and David Phelps.

Julian Drive has tremendous musical diversity due to the varied ages, musical backgrounds and musical styles of its members. The unique style of music and song of Julian Drive is a product of a successful blend of all those musical influences. It is the heartfelt prayer of Julian Drive that, as a result of their musical delivery, people will truly be blessed, will encounter God’s presence, and will hear the message that God has for them.