Meet Nothing Regal

Nothing Regal seeks to create original songs and perform songs from both church culture and general culture that reflect the grace and tone and culture we feel the church should be defined by (relational-based and grace-focused rather than a "look in from the outside and judge" mentality so often leveled against most Christian groups). Jesus wasn't like that and instead made people from all walks of life and beliefs feel comfortable around him and yet never stopped proclaiming His truth. (In fact, His harshest words turned out to be for the church that offered so little of what He came to bring.)

That's our goal -- to be as much like Jesus in that respect (and all respects) as we can. 

Like many well-known Christian thinkers and artists throughout the centuries prior to the last 300 years, we just don't believe in that imaginary line between sacred and profane, "Christian" and secular. Jesus' life ignored it and so should our lives. All that we do should be part of a life seeking to please God, whether overtly evangelistic or simply living from day to day, and to compartmentalize our thoughts and acts and creations demeans the spirit of God in our lives.

As a part of our intent to be "in the world and not of it," we readily admit that we're not big fans of a lot of so-called Christian music (although some of it, the stuff that really gets past all the CCM-rock star lite and the church-world hero worship, to actually manage to say something true and interesting and call us to Christ, that stuff we do like -- it's just so hard to find in today's Christian industry it seems), and we really, really like to inject our worship sets with bits of spiritual truth from the O'Jays, Pete Townshend, Lifehouse, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, The Youngbloods, Collective Soul, Stevie Wonder, John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, U2, and CCR (among others). Trust me, you haven't had church until your heard the congregation singing "Love Train" or "Shine" at the top of their lungs. (And if you haven't examined the lyrics of a lot of so-called "secular" songs, please take another look. The spiritual focus and depth of many of them might just suprise you.)

In addition to the groups mentioned above, our influences don't come so much from the contemporary praise and worship culture, but instead they come from rock and roll and pop artists who have had a longstanding career of being able to speak the language of the common person. (That's not to say, however, that we don't enjoy a good praise and worship jam by Derek Webb, Paul Baloche, Todd Agnew, or Chris Tomlin every now and then either.) Songwriters like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Bob Marley, and U2 have managed to remain relevant and enjoyed and loved by so many for so long because they have a natural ability to translate truth and longing and pain and joy into everyday speak and not wrap it in "smarter than thou" artsiness that has everyday folks scratching their heads.

We want to do the same with praise and worship music and take it out of the lofty, esoteric realm to bring it down to the place where all are equal at the feet of Jesus, all are just as dirty and stained as everyone else, and all can understand in basic simplicity this beautiful thing called grace we are allowed and encouraged to live in -- and to come to appreciate and love and honor the God who gives such grace to everyday people.

Carrie Eggers Keyboards Bio coming soon.

Jeff Gordon Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Songwriter Jeff Gordon has been involved in music professionally for more than 25 years. As a member of the band the Ridge, he was signed to Discovery Records (a subsidiary of Warner Bros.). During that time, a few of Jeff's own original compositions were selected to appear on television programs including Beverly Hills, 90210, Dawson's Creek, Melrose Place and Sports Center; various artists compilations including Redneck Christmas Party and Trailer Trash Christmas; T.V. and radio commercials and even the HBO original movie I Might Even Love You.  When the band left the label, Jeff remained as Sales and Marketing Manager at Warner Bros. and worked with such performers as the Black Crowes, Eric Clapton, the Goo Goo Dolls, Madonna, R.E.M., the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dwight Yoakam.  After a decade at Warner Bros., he began working for the House of Blues imprint label as their Vice President of Sales and Marketing and eventually moved to Cumming. He now spends his time playing with Nothing Regal and performing as a solo artist in many local venues. He also performs with his two talented daughters in local senior homes in order to give back to the community and share a little love with the well-deserving.

Lee Henson Bass Guitar, Songwriter, Photographer Lee Henson began shredding early in life. Through the course of his childhood, Lee would take leading and backing roles in numerous alterna-metal and folk ensembles, including the late 90s local Atlanta rock band Tilden's Faith. Taking on bass and electric guitar roles in numerous praise and Route 180 and other worship bands since the mid 90's, Lee eventually made his musical home in Nothing Regal. Known affectionately as "Doctor Thunder From Down Under," Lee also currently forms part of an improvisational jazz art rock band with his toddler son Luke.

Derik Keel Electric Guitar Derik Keel, prior to joining Nothing Regal, played with the band Here Am I, based at First Baptist Church of Decatur, for about eight years. In addition, has been a member of the classic rock band Rampage in its current line-up for more than 10 years.  The band has been to together on and off for 30 years, and Derik has been involved with them in some fashion (playing, sound, lights) throughout that time. One of his personal highlights was when the band played the All-Harley Drag Races for about 3000 bikers (and lived to tell about it) in a three day outdoor event. He has also been a member or numerous other bands, including Dreamer.

Shawn Loud Backing Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Audio Technician Bio coming soon.

Bill Rullan Drums Bill Rullan joined the school band in 6th grade and was introduced to the "26 Rudiments of Drumming." Soon after he performed in various school concert bands and marching bands in the drum line. After graduating high school, he dabbled with various rock and jazz groups while in college at Georgia Tech. Shortly thereafter, he joined the band Working Stiffs in 2004 and played various clubs for about two years. He became a founding member of Nothing Regal in 2005.

Sean Taylor Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Harmonica, Songwriter Sean Taylor began his professional involvement in music in when he joined the group Reign. Together with his bandmates, he toured the Southeast and performed with such Christian rock acts as The Newsboys, Adam Again, Guardian, The Choir, Jacob's Trouble, and The Waiting and performed for such notable music festivals as IS Fest and Atlanta Fest. When the group split up, Sean began playing bass in his local church and working as a music buyer and de factor assistant manager for the Mustard Seed Christian store. While at Mustard Seed, he worked hard to stock and promote the more indy and avant garde Christian music that was too edgy for most Christian radio. After that, he moved to the North American Mission Board, where he joined the first official NAMB praise band. Shortly after that, he began writing original techo-garage rock and released a solo CD called Pop Nightmare. Eventually he joined Lakeland Community Church and found a place on the praise team there, ultimately accepting a position as the Worship Director at the church. During that time, he hooked up with Jeff Gordon and the rest of the band and helped found Nothing Regal.

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Going through the  
motions doesn't please you,  
      a flawless performance  
is nothing to you.  
   I learned God-worship  
      when my pride was shattered.  
   Heart-shattered lives ready  
for love don't for a   
moment escape God's notice.
-- Psalm 51:16-17,  
The Message