NEWS

New Devotional "101 Devotions for Busy Families" to be released in August.

After over a year of writing, editing, proof reading and searching for a publisher, our first devotional will soon be released. I have learned from songwriting that the best, most effective songs are those which are written as we view our story through the lens of the Gospel. I have applied that same principle to this devotional, and as in the music, the whole family was involved.

I have formatted the after the way we do our own family devotions. Looking at a particular story and or a passage of scripture and then talking about what may have resonated with us.

Neither Lisa or I grew up in a home where corportate family devotions were the norm, so leading our family in scripture reading, discussion and prayer was something we had to learn how to do. I have enjoyed sharing my heart with my family and hearing from their hearts as well, discussions which may not have happened were it not for making a deliberate effort to have regular times of prayer and devotions.

My hope is that this devotional will help families and individuals alike draw closer to God and those around them, and feel a greater desire to serve others while living out their purpose.

I though I would close by sharing a few comments from a few of those who have read the transcript.

This devotional will challenge you...And that will lead to one thing ... A stronger family! By writing this devotional, Tom encourages us to love God and our families ... And to do it with scripture as our guide.” Tom is a friend of my parents, and they love what he and his family are all about ... I encourage all to ponder the thoughts that Tom has to offer.

—Mary Beth Chapman, author of Choosing to See

It’s been an honor to work alongside Tom and to call him my friend. It is so refreshing to see someone so courageously share his story and to see the way it fits within The Story that frames it. Tom has written with wisdom, humility, and most importantly, honesty. This book is a great guide to diving into your own history and finding where the seeds of redemption have been sown in it.

—Andrew Osenga, singer/songwriter, former member of Caedmon’s Call

This devotional book is very inspirational. Tom Frye has used real life situations to express Spiritual Truth in all 101 writings. These devotionals are a great way to be uplifted, convicted and challenged in our everyday Christian life and Walk. Jim Stewart, NewLife FM Griffin, Georgia

Under Indiana Lights review by Phantom Tollbooth

Frye Family Band - Under Indiana Lights

Created on Sunday, 11 November 2012Written by Brian A. Smith

An artist who writes about growing up and living in Indiana, with a supportive, extended family, and great musicians, who isn't named Rich Mullins.

Frye Family Band (www.fryefamilyband.net)
Under Indiana Lights
14/56:57
Oubache Music

I've heard three albums associated with Tom Frye over the last five years or so, and the same thought recurs: Rich Mullins. Both have written about growing up and living in Indiana. Both have an appreciation for nature and God's hand in it. Both have written music with their families – in Rich's case an extended brotherhood of collaborators. In Frye's case, this is also true, but Under Indiana Lights also includes Tom's wife and three children, who share in the songwriting and vocal duties.

Once again, the disc is greater than the sum of its parts, but a few musicians are notable: Andy Osenga, Jeremy Casella, Andrew Peterson, Kenny Hutson (guitar and mandolin on most songs), and the inimitable Phil Keaggy, who appears on "The Greatest Gift."

"Sarah Dances" will break the hearts of any father of a daughter who has suffered physically or is no longer with us. Reminiscent of Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella," this track depicts a child's struggle with spina bifida:

"The doctor said 'I can do nothing more I can do for your daughter.'
Her parents know a hope this world cannot offer,
Sarah dreams of the day when faith's made complete,
Her Prince takes her hand and she's swept to her feet,
And she dances...Sarah dances..."

"Blue Silos" speaks of Tom's fear in childhood, and finding hope. "Knight in Armor" is a love song to his wife. "Dream Come True" is a tale of finally letting go of the memories and resentments that hold us back.

As with previous outputs, the music here tend to sound somewhat dated, but the quality of the lyrics and the players more than makes up for that. Frye's continuing progress as a songwriter reveals some real quality and depth.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine CD Review

Under Indiana Lights CD Review from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

The Frye Family Band wasn't planned. It developed naturally as Tom Frye's family became increasingly involved in his music ministry. As a homeschool family, they were already accustomed to working together and ministering together. The Frye Family Band consists of Tom Frye, his wife, Lisa, and their three children: Kaylyn (17), Maggie (15), and Jonathon (13). Under Indiana Lights is their first CD as a family band, though Tom had previously recorded several albums himself.

Under Indiana Lights is unusual, because it is completely original. Tom Frye is a singer-songwriter, and all fourteen songs on the album are written or co-written by the Frye family themselves. On this recording, Tom's wife and children provide many of the background vocals. Although the family plays all the instruments when they are performing live, they do not play the music for this recording.

The songs on the album include:

Consume Me
Where is God? (with Jeremy Casella)
Your Love
I Shall Not Want
Sarah Dances
Little By Little
Loneliness
I Remember
Dream Come True
Knight in Armor
The Greatest Gift (featuring Phil Keaggy)
Blue Silos
I Surrender
The Greatest Gift (rockabilly version)

When I listened to this CD for the first time, I was confused. I couldn't quite decide how to classify the music style. I liked it, but what was it? It wasn't pop or rock. It wasn't exactly country, bluegrass, or gospel, though it did lean more toward country than pop. After listening to it several times, I decided the best description for the Frye Family Band's style was Christian Contemporary music with Folk/Acoustic flair. The songs on the Under Indiana Lights album have incredibly meaningful lyrics. The music supports the lyrics, which are easily understood, rather than competing with them. The songs are definitely from the heart of the Frye family, many telling stories of their life and their own faith experiences.

Although I enjoyed the entire album, I want to mention several of my favorites. The song that stands out most to me on this album is the first track, Consume Me, which asks God to fill our hearts with His presence and His love. The haunting song, Where is God?, was written following the Haitian earthquake, and it assures listeners that He is Emmanuel, God With Us. I was touched by the lilting song, Sarah Dances, which tells the story of a girl born with spina bifida. As a homeschooler, Tom's love song to his wife, Knight in Armor, makes me smile when it mentions textbooks stacked on the table. Having read Tom's biography on his website, I was impressed that several of his songs were autobiographical in nature.

The Frye family's ministry is expanding, and soon they will be hosting Family to Family conferences. I do hope that they find time to make more albums in the future. I'd be interested in seeing how the family band develops as the children mature and become even more involved. I enjoyed The Frye Family Band's debut album, and I am sure others will, as well.

Product Review by April Elstrom, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February, 2012

As seen at http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/5275.php