Gideon Band - "The Experience"
by André Love

Music, Ministry, Brotherhood. These three words best describe the passion, purpose, and perspective of Gideon Band, who like their biblical namesake, engage in warfare for the advancement of God's kingdom, all through their music.

Since its inception over nine years ago, Gideon has evolved from a go-go band to an assemblage of versatile singers, musicians, and worshippers who incorporate a myriad of styles in the music. Whether on stage, at the altar, or in the streets, you can count on Gideon to lend soul-stirring worship and hard-hitting praise in a combination that continuously cancels the plan of the enemy.

Led by founder, Cornelius Berkley, these nine brothers in Christ give you a hard-hitting, power packed, exciting experience. These brothers remind me of "old school" Earth, Wind and Fire and commissioned with horns! Their performance is tight and precise. Their songwriting is timely and on target for our times. They relate to their audience with a "Divine" intimacy.

Because of their unique ability to deliver not only entertaining music, but the never-ending message of God's love, Gideon is in great demand at conferences, retreats, revivals, festivals and other gatherings-both youth and adult oriented.

Gideon Band released its debut project to rave reviews at the August (2000) Gospel Music Workshop of America in New Orleans, LA. They blessed the convention in such a manner that they were requested to perform again later on in the week. From what I've been told they were "in the house." After performing on several convention musicals, meetings, and other showcases, the band brought audiences to their feet virtually everywhere they struck a note. Since then they have gone on to travel throughout the eastern seaboard, and the mid-western United States.

Gideon, one of the few full-fledged bands in gospel music, has been blessed to minister not only locally and regionally, but also to an ever-growing national fan base. Over the years, the band has ministered along with some of the most noted names in the gospel music industry. They include Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, Mary Mary, Natalie Wilson & the S.O.P. Chorale, and the Charles Woolfork just to name a few.

Along with international distribution through Amzaon.com, the band has also picked up national retailer distribution for their independently produced project through the Nashville, Tennessee area-based, New Day Christian Distributors.

Adding to Gideon Band's current windfall of blessings, they also recently garnered the top prize for Best Urban Contemporary Gospel Group in the Gospel Music Association of America's (GMA) Regional Artist Spotlight Competition.

Saturday, March 31, 2001 marked the release of "The Experience" Live Video, the full-length concert video counterpart to Gideon Band's smash independent release, The Experience: Praise-Intimacy-Worship-Celebration