Description
The self-titled debut album by the American rock band Fireworks featuring Marty McCall was released on Myrrh Records in 1977, a division of Word. The album was recorded and mixed by Brown Bannister at The Gold Mine in Brentwood, Tennessee; with Chris Christian producing for Home Sweet Home Productions. All songs written by band member Marty McCall except “Maybe It’s Love” co-written with Gary Pigg.
Fireworks was a pioneer CCM group and one of its most active pop/rock bands from 1976 to 1983. (As a metaphor for the work of the Holy Spirit, the band’s drummer proposed the name “Fireworks”.) They recorded 5 albums and performed hundreds of concerts across the US and Canada. Marty McCall (later of First Call fame), founder, lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the group, led the band from beginning to end. Over it’s eight-year lifespan, the configuration of Fireworks changed a number of times with some members playing for years, some for shorter seasons. Band members included, in chronological order, Gary Pigg (writer/vocalist), Gwen Moore (writer/vocalist), Lanny Avery (writer/drummer), Chris Harris (writer/bassist), Mark Christian (writer/electric guitarist), Cindy Hudson (vocalist), Jerry Gaston (writer/electric guitarist), Bob Sinkovic (writer/bassist), Mary Avery (vocalist), David Johnson (drummer), Louie Weaver (drummer – studio recording only), Dave Kurfman (bassist), Ric Simonsen (drummer) and Mark Chesshir (electric guitarist).
FIREWORKS, FIREWORKS – Myrrh MSB 6587
With masterful production by Chris Christian, this album provides excellent insight to the talents of these young artists. Lyrics are simple and to the point with vocals adding finishing touches. Programmers will lean toward «Open Your Eyes», «New Man» and «Forever With You». [Record World, March 18, 1978 (Gospel Album Picks section)]
Prior to becoming a fairly competent rock outfit, keyboardist Marty McCall’s band existed as a guy/gal trio churning out adequate pop-rock numbers during Myrrh’s mellowing-out phase. The opening «New Day» is an enthusiastic upbeat song highlighted by attractive synthesizer accompaniment. Ballads such as «Don’t Look Back» and «Talks With My Father» are radio-ready and may appeal to fans of Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and Nutshell. «Carrying On», «Presence Of The Lord» and «Open Your Eyes» all build toward the heavier rock side of Fireworks that would become more prominent on their ensuing albums. No strings or horns to mess things up. Chris Christian appears on guitar. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
During the summer of 1976 three young people all of whom have moved recently to Nashville, Tennessee received a phone call from a mutual friend asking them to report to a basement out in the countryside to sing on a “jingle”. Marty McCall, Gary Pigg, and Gwen Moore – all in their mid-twenties – sang together that night for the first time. The producer, Chris Christian, liked their sound and later called them back for more sessions, including B. J. Thomas’ Home Where I Belong (1976), David Meece’s I Just Call On You (1977), and Amy Grant’s self-titled debut album (1977).
The following spring, Buddy Huey of Word Records was in town and met with the three. The contemporary Christian trio 2nd Chapter of Acts, he reported, had just left Word and they were looking for a group to fill that void. Would the three like to become that group?
At first, the three played mainly in local churches and fellowships around Nashville. Initially, the group’s performances consisted of the three voices accompanied by just a piano. This arrangement continued for several months until they decided to add a fuller sound to their performances with the drumming of Lanny Avery and bass rhythms of Chris Harris. Later Cindy Lipford, a friend of the group, took Gwen’s place. Highlighted by exceptional vocals and a driving spirit, their music releases as much musical energy as their name Fireworks implies. [one-way.org]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “New Day” – 2:44
A2. “Don’t Look Back” – 2:47
A3. “Carrying On” – 3:27
A4. “Presence Of The Lord” – 2:45
A5. “Forever With You” – 3:40
Side Two
B1. “Maybe It’s Love” – 3:27
B2. “Family” – 2:44
B3. “Open Your Eyes” – 3:07
B4. “Talks With My Father” – 3:03
B5. “Takin’ A Rest” – 3:06
B6. “New Man” – 3:06
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.
FIREWORKS, Myrrh-era lineup: (L-R) Mark Christian (writer/guitarist), Lanny Avery (writer/drummer), Marty McCall (writer/keyboardist/lead vocalist), Chris Harris (writer/bassist), Cindy Hudson (vocalist), Gary Pigg (writer/vocalist).
CREDITS. Produced by Chris Christian for Home Sweet Home Productions. Engineered by Brown Bannister. Recorded at The Gold Mine, Brentwood, TN. Mastered by Glenn Meadows at Masterfonics, Nashville, TN. Photography by Mark Pleasant, Small Wonder Studio. Cover by Dave Gaadt, The Graphic Truth. Executive Producer: Michael Blanton.
Musicians: Marty McCall (Keyboards), Ron Oates (Keyboards on track B2), Shane Keister (Synthesizer, Keyboards on track A1), Marilyn Maingart (Flute), Chris Christian (Guitar), Chris Harris (Bass), Steve Schaffer (Bass on track A1 and B2), Lanny Avery (Drums), Kenny Malone (Drums on track B2), Larrie Londin (Drums on track A1).
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