Where Sons of Thunder played - 1967

All Summers 1967 - 1974

Summer college meetings at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland sponsored a weekly meeting for college students, from early June through August during each of these years. Initially called "Breakaway," then later, "College Life," it was held on Wednesday evenings in some of these summers, and on Monday evenings in the others. The event was directed by youth ministers at the church, including Rev. Chuck Miller, Rev. Russ Cadle, and Mim Pain. It was held initially in the church's old "White Room," underneath the sanctuary, then after the church expanded in the later '60s, in the larger "Upper Room" on the top floor of its new building. Sons of Thunder was formed initially to perform for these meetings, and played for almost all of them throughout this time. Attendance grew from about 60 initially to nearly 400 by 1974.

Fourth Presbyterian retreats. The church's large youth ministry also sponsored separate retreats in late summer of these years for college, high school, and junior high students. These took place at Buffalo Gap and White Mountain -- retreat centers near Winchester, Virginia. Sons of Thunder performed at most of these events. SOT also performed at many winter retreats for both Fourth's High School Students and College Students, held at the Allenbury Inn in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

1967 - 1970

Although Sons of Thunder performed numerous times outside of Fourth Presbyterian Church during these years, and for some adult events at the church as well, we have few records of specific dates and places. Here are a few general recollections from that time . . .

July 1968 - Concert for adults at Fourth Presbyterian
For the first time, Sons of Thunder performed an evening concert for the adults at Fourth Presbyterian. Tedd Smith, Billy Graham's pianist, was a featured guest, and he performed some selections solo and with SOT. Tedd also spoke passionately to the audience about the importance of supporting Sons of Thunder and their approach to sharing Christ through contemporary music. The result was a turning point for the band in its relation with Fourth's broader congregation, as many who'd been skeptical now became enthusiastic followers of the band.

Churches
During 1967-70 SOT performed at numerous churches in the Washington-Baltimore area, and increasingly at churches further away. Some that we recall include Glen Burnie United Methodist Church (Glenn Burnie, Maryland -- several times), Atonement Presbyterian Church (Silver Spring, Maryland -- for a Youth Life event there), Ashton United Methodist Church (Ashton, Maryland -- several times), Chantilly United Methodist Church (Chantilly, Virginia), St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Kensington, Maryland), Glen Echo Baptist Church (Glen Echo, Maryland), Babcock Presbyterian Church (Baltimore), Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (Silver Spring, Maryland), Timonium United Methodist Church (Baltimore), Central Presbyterian Church (Baltimore), Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Springfield, Virginia) Christ United Methodist Church (Staunton, Virginia), St. Mark's United Methodist Church (Raleigh, North Carolina), Betheny-Collegiate Presbyterian Church (Havertown, Pennsylvania--probably twice), First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Holly, New Jersey, and many, many other church concerts.

Summer 1968: Forum Coffee House, Georgetown, D.C.
SOT performed about a dozen times during this summer, and were considered the house band, at the Forum Coffee House, at 3405 M. Street, in D.C.'s Georgetown (on the block across from Key Bridge, and next to the old Mac's Pub). The band's first appearance there was on June 8.

June 1969: Billy Graham Coffee House, New York City
Sons of Thunder performed for three evenings at a coffee house sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for young people, in connection with Graham's Madison Square Garden Crusade at that time. John Guest's Excursions also performed, and it was the first time rock bands were featured at a Billy Graham event. About 1,000 attended nightly.

March 1970: First area-wide concert, and Joan's Farewell
On Sunday, March 8, 1970 SOT held their first D.C.-area-wide concert, open to the public, at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. It was also to tribute Joan Hettenhouser, who was leaving the band to marry. About 1,600 attended.

June, 1970: Salisbury, Maryland Civic Center concert
On June 19, 1970 SOT presented a concert at this civic center, sponsored by SOT and Salisbury churches. It was held in part to promote appearances by the band at a Salisbury coffee house that summer (see next). About 350 attended.

July-August 1970: Salisbury, Maryland coffee house
On Thursday evenings in July and August 1970, Sons of Thunder performed at a coffee house sponsored by Salisbury churches and held at Asbury United Methodist Church, near Salisbury State College (now university).

August 1970: Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach
SOT performed for the first time, for four evenings, at the Inter-Varsity sponsored Upstairs Coffee House, then returned each August for the next four years.

Other concerts we recall in 1968, 69 or 70 . . .

Georgetown University, in Gaston Hall

Washington and Lee University, outdoors event

Harvard University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Peabody Conservatory (conference for the Christian recording industry held there)

The Naval Academy

High Point College (concert for students, plus appearance at campus coffee house)

North Gate Mall, Raleigh, North Carolina

Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. (with Dale Evans)

Young Life area-wide retreat at Hilltop Ranch, Colora, Maryland

Young Life area-wide event at family farm of YL worker Tom Parker, in Olney, Maryland

Wesley Theological Seminary

Concert for at high school in Georgetown, Delaware

Methodist high school retreat at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) in Westminster, Maryland

Methodist high school retreat at Blackstone Conference Center, Blackstone, Virginia

Methodist high school retreat at retreat center in Princess Anne, Maryland

Christian Endeavor Philadelphia-area-wide coffee house at Messiah Lutheran Church

Christian Endeavor Philadelphia-area-wide retreat at Camp Ockanickan (camp was 08/28-09/02/70; SOT performed at least once during the event)

1971
(partial list)
Most events listed were evening concerts.
(SOT continued performing for summer weekly college meetings at Fourth Presbyterian Church, and at college and youth retreats in summer and winter for the church.)

03/19: Navigators Banquet at University of Maryland
03/28: Northwood High School, Silver Spring, Maryland, sponsored by St. Lukes Lutheran Church

04/16: Park Street Church, Boston

04/17: Boston Church (location lost)

07/16: SOT performed for Luau for High School students of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland

07/29: Asbury Methodist Church, Salisbury, Maryland, coffee house

07/30: Ocean City, Maryland, outdoors at the Santa Maria Hotel, at 15th St. and the Boardwalk, for Navigators rally (titled "Jesus Folk Festival")

08/01: Meredith College, Raleigh, North Carolina (sponsored by St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Raleigh

08/02: Camp Lejeune

08/05: St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, Fairfax, Virginia

08/07 Arlington United Methodist Church, Arlington, Virginia

08/08: Groveton Baptist Church, Groveton, Virginia

08/11: St. John's United Methodist Church, Springfield, Virginia

08/13-14: Hampton Roads, Virginia, performances on the beach, sponsored by local churches

08/15-19: Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach, Virginia

08/20: Ager Road United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, Maryland

08/22: Truro Episcopal Church, Fairfax, Virginia

08/25: Springfield United Methodist Church, Springfield, Virginia

08/29: St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

10/03: Defiance College, Defiance, Ohio, concert sponsored by St. John's United Church of Christ.

11/07: The Naval Academy

1972
(partial list)

Most events listed were evening concerts.
(SOT continued performing for summer weekly college meetings at Fourth Presbyterian Church, and at college and youth retreats in summer and winter for the church.)

02/03: "TBC" -- high school breakfast at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland

02/26: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Bethesda, Maryland, area-wide concert sponsored National Capital Youth for Christ

02/27: Hayfield High School, Alexandria, Virginia, area-wide concert sponsored by youth of Springfield and Aldersgate United Methodist Churches of Springfield, Virginia

03/10: Church of the Good Shepherd, Philadelphia

03/24: The Kennedy Center, Washington, D. C., for evangelistic rally with Nicky Cruz, sponsored by D.C.-area Baptist Churches

05/??: SOT performed for the state convention of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Date lost.

06/??: SOT performed for several evenings in a pavilion on the beach at Hampton Roads, Virginia, for an outreach event sponsored by local churches. Specific dates lost.

07/??: St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church, Bethesda, Maryland; SOT performed outdoor evening concert for church's youth during July '72, but date is lost.

08/04, 5 & 6: West Orange, New Jersey, outside at "The Parking Lot," near Edison Junior High School, music festival sponsored by West Orange Community Outreach

08/??: Multi-evening engagement at The Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach, Virginia; specific dates lost

09/17: The Naval Academy, evening concert for students in Mishner Hall, sponsored by Naval Academy Christian Association

10/02, 03 & 05: John Wesley White Crusade, held at Broad Run High School, Leesburg, Virginia

10/15: Congressional Heights Baptist Church, "Jesus Festival," featuring Larry Tomzak and other speakers, Potomac, Maryland

10/20: Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia, in the chapel

10/21: John Lewis Junior High School, Staunton, Virginia, sponsored by Beverly Street United Methodist Church. Several members participated in the church's worship service on Sunday, 10/22.

10/22: George Madison College, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in Godwin Hall

10/27: Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, Virginia

10/28: William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, in Blow Gym

10/29: Broughton High School, Raleigh, North Carolina, sponsored by St. Mark's United Methodist Church

11/03: Delaware Technical & Community College, Georgetown, Delaware

11/04: Garage Coffee House, Brookhaven, Pennsylvania

11/05: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland, concert for the full church on a Sunday evening

11/11: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Baltimore, Maryland

11/12: Hayfield High School, Alexandria, Virginia, area-wide concert sponsored by Young Life

11/15: Frostburg College, Frostburg, MD, in Gunter Hall

11/17, 18, & 19: West Hampton United Methodist Church, Richmond, Virginia. Event was sponsored by District Office of Youth of the United Methodist Church in Richmond, and also included rap sessions and a worship service.

11/25: George Mason High School, Falls Church, Virginia.

11/26: Yorktown High School, Arlington, Virginia

1973
(partial list)

01/20: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

01/27: Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, Glen Burnie, Maryland

01/31: Wesley College, Dover, Delaware

02/01: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the chapel

02/03: Allenbury Inn, Carlyle, Pennsylvania, junior high retreat for Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland

02/08: First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Holly, New Jersey (concert held in local high school)

02/09: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Philadelphia

02/10: Loudon County High School, Leesburg, Virginia

02/13: St. Jane De Chantal Catholic Church, Bethesda, Maryland ("TBC" pre-school breakfast for high schoolers, 6:30 a.m.)

02/16: Dungeon Coffee House, in St. James Lutheran Church, Randallstown, Maryland

02/17: William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, Blow Gym

02/23: St. Thomas Catholic Church, Charlottesville, Virginia

02/25: George Madison College, Harrisonburg, Virginia

02/26: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, in Accock Auditorium, sponsored by Young Life and others

02/27: Montreat-Anderson College, Montreat, North Carolina

03/02: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, at Alexander Hall

03/03: Gallaudet College for the Deaf, Washington, D.C., for Rock Gospel for the Deaf

03/11: Strassburg, Virginia, church-sponsored concert in high school

03/13: National Convention of Deaf Educators, held at College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

03/16: Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana

03/18: Defiance College, Defiance, Ohio

03/24: Glenolden Congregational Church, Glenolden, Pennsylvania

03/31: Montgomery-Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland, area-wide concert, sponsored by SOT

04/01: Fort Hunt High School, Alexandria, Virginia, area-wide concert, sponsored by SOT

04/04: First Presbyterian Church, Arlington, Virginia, Lenten Service

04/07: St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina

04/08: Elon College, Burlington, North Carolina

04/11: Indiana University, Indiana, Pennsylvania, evening concert

04:12, 13 & 14: SOT played concerts in Indiana, Pennsylvania area each day or evening, though locations lost.

04/17: Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania

04/27: Lebanon Valley College, Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania

04/29: Calvary United Methodist Church, Frederick, Maryland, afternoon concert

05/11: Youth For Christ, Philadelphia

05/16-20: The following six performances by Sons of Thunder were part of the "Reach Out" program of the 185th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., held in Omaha in May 1973:

05/16: Southroads Shopping Center Mall, Bellevue, Nebraska, evening concert

05/17: Civic Auditorium on Capitol Street in Omaha, noon to 2:00 p.m. -- SOT performed outside in front of the facility

05/18: County Courthouse Steps, Omaha, 17th and Farnam, outdoor afternoon concert

05/18: Turner Park, 30th and Farnam Streets, Omaha, outdoor evening performance

05/19: Elwood Park, 800 South 60th St., Omaha, outdoor afternoon concert

05/20: First Presbyterian Church of Omaha, evening concert, sponsored by Gateway to Life youth group

05/26: Youth for Christ, Gaithersburg, Maryland

06/03: Grace Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Virginia, for National Capitol Youth Presbyterian Council

06/10: First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, Maryland, evening concert

06/15: SOT performed evening concert in Staunton, Virginia, probably at the Beverly Street United Methodist Church.

06/16: Elon College, Burlington, North Carolina, for retreat for Southern Conference of United Church of Christ youth

06/17: SOT performed evening concert in Charlottsville, Virginia, though location lost.

06/23: SOT performed evening concert in Fredericksburg, Virginia, though location lost.

06/28: Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Havertown, Pennsylvania, evening concert

07/01: St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, Bethesda, Maryland, evening concert

07/06: Park Street Church, Boston

07/07, 08, & 09: SOT performed two or three concerts in Glouster, Massachusetts, though locations lost.

07/14: International Lutheran Deaf Association convention, Kansas City, Missouri, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

07/15: Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf Concert

07/16: Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf Concert

07/17: Birmingham Southern College, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, in Munger Auditorium

07/26, 27, 28 & 29: Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach, Virginia

08/01, 02, 04 & 05: Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach, Virginia

08/04: Virginia Beach Civic Center, The Dome, concert sponsored by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

08/09 & 10: SOT performed concerts each evening in Butler, Pennsylvania, though location lost.

08/11: SOT performed for "Jesus Rally" in Titusville, Pennsylvania, though location lost.

08/13: Trinity Episcopal Church, New York City, afternoon concert

08/17: Navigators evening rally in Ocean City, Maryland, location lost

08/18: SOT performed evening concert in Luray Virginia, at the fairgrounds.

08/31: Virginia Beach Dome, concert with Danny Taylor, sponsored by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

09/01: SOT performed for "Jesus Rally" in Virginia Beach area, though location lost.

09/09: Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland, area-wide concert sponsored by SOT

09/15: Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, evening concert for students in Maytag Gymnasium

09/16: Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana

09/18: Kutztown College, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

09/20: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

09/22: Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

09/23: Detroit, Michigan, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf Concert

09/28: Wesley College, Dover, Delaware

09/29: National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., for Presbytery Missions Fair

09/30: SOT performed Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert in Frederick, Maryland, probably at Frederick Alliance Church.

10/02: St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, Bethesda, Maryland, "TBC" breakfast club for high schoolers, 6:30 a.m

10/03: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, concert for students, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ

10/05: University of Delaware, Wilmington, concert for students sponsored by the Navigators

10/06: Summit Lake Camp, Emmitsburg, Maryland, retreat for college students of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland

10/11: Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., morning concert for students during chapel time

10/13: St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina, evening concert

10/17: Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, evening concert

10/18: Frostburg College, Frostburg, Maryland, evening concert for students

10/19: Millersville State College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

10/20: Lutherlyn Camp, Butler, Pennsylvania, evening concert for Coalition for Christian Action

10/26: Hartford, Connecticut, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert; location lost

10/27: Brooklyn, NY: Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

10/28: Philadelphia, Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

11/04: Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, Maryland, area-wide concert sponsored by SOT, in the Field House

11/10: Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf Concert, in Mees Hall

11/11: Pittsburgh, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

11/14: Landon School, Bethesda, Maryland, daytime assembly for students.

11/16: Poolesville High School, Poolesville, Maryland, assembly for students

11/17: Poolesville High School, Poolesville, Maryland, evening concert, sponsored by Poolesville churches

11/18: Poolesville Memorial United Methodist Church, Poolesville, Maryland, evening concert

11/19: Gallaudet College for the Deaf, Washington, D.C., for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert. (This one was professionally recorded, and released as an album, "Songs and Signs."

11/25: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland, evening concert for full church

11/29: Elon College, Burlington, North Carolina

11/30: Danville, Virginia, probably played evening concert there, though location lost

12/07: Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Havertown, Pennsylvania

12/08: Glen Burnie High School, Glen Burnie, Maryland, evening concert probably sponsored by area Methodist churches

12/11: Filmed documentary for Rock Gospel for the Deaf, at WETA studios in Washington, D.C., which first aired on 12/30/73

12/16: St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Sunday afternoon concert

12/27: Twin Bridges Marriott Motel, Arlington, Virginia, for "Solution Bowl" Campus Crusade for Christ Retreat.

12/28: Eastport United Methodist Church, Annapolis, Maryland

12/29 & 30: First Methodist Church, Hyattsville, Maryland (concert on 12/29, led worship service on 12/30)

12/31: Fountain Coffee House, Gaithersburg, Maryland, New Years Eve event Sponsored by Youth For Christ. (The Fountain Coffee House was on the top floor of the building that currently houses Growlers Restaurant.)

1974
(partial list)

Most events listed were evening concerts.
(SOT continued performing for summer weekly college meetings at Fourth Presbyterian Church.)

01/04: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Kensington, Maryland

01/05: Ashton United Methodist Church, Ashton, Virginia

01/06: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Alexandria, Virginia

01/11: Dungeon Coffee House, in St. James Lutheran Church, Randallstown, Maryland

01/12 St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Rockville, Maryland

01/18: Gordon College, Boston

01/19: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, evening concert for students in Sayles Hall

01/23: Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania

01/26: Princess Anne Civic Center, Princess Anne, Maryland, sponsored by Princess Anne Ministerial Association

01/30: Greenbelt American Legion, Greenbelt, Maryland, sponsored by Young Life of Prince Georges County, Maryland

02/??: SOT performed for a Kiwanis Club luncheon, held in the Brook Farm Restaurant, Chevy Chase, Maryland, around this time, though date lost.

02/02: Fort Hunt High School, Alexandria, Virginia, area-wide concert, sponsored by SOT

02/03 & 04: Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia (concerts both evenings)

02/05, 06, 07 & 08: George Madison College, Harrisonburg, Virginia (coffee house first three evenings, full concert in auditorium on fourth), sponsored by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

02/09: Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Virginia

02/15: First Baptist Church of Rockville, Maryland

02/17: The Naval Academy

02/23: West Springfield High School, Springfield, Virginia, evening concert

02/24: Lebanon Valley College, Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania

03/02: William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, in Campus Center Ballroom

03/03: Western Maryland College, Westminster, Maryland, in the chapel

03/09: Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, in Pierce Chapel

03/12: Longwood College, Farmville, Virginia, in Jarman Auditorium

03/20: Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (trio from SOT performed)

03/22: Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

03/24: St. Francis DeSales School for the Deaf, Brooklyn, New York, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

03/29: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland

03/30: Poolesville High School, Poolesville, Maryland, sponsored by Poolesville churches

04/16: Deaf Community Center, Framingham, Massachusetts for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

04/17: Providence, Rhode Island, Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

04/18: Norwich, Connecticut, Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

04/26: Montgomery Hills Baptist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland

04/28: Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, in Campus Center Auditorium

05/05: Scottish Rite Temple, Richmond, Virginia, sponsored by Episcopal churches of Region 11.

05/07: Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C., or Rock Gospel for the Deaf

05/10: Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, N.Y., chapel service at the college.

05/11: Roberts Wesleyan College, evening concert for students

05/12: Rochester, N.Y., Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, probably at Roberts Wesleyan College

05/16: Deaf Community Center, Framingham, Massachusetts, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

05/17: Providence, Rhode Island, Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert, location lost

05/18: Norwich, Connecticut, Rock Gospel for the Deaf, location lost

06/16: Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, Maryland, SOT reunion concert for the public, featuring most present and past members, held in Whitman's Field House

06/30: Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, Maryland, afternoon concert on football field sponsored by local Catholic Youth Organization

07/27: Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, Philadelphia

08/02: Virginia Beach Civic Center, The Dome, concert with Scott Wesley Brown, sponsored by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

08/06-08/15: The Upstairs Coffee House, Virginia Beach

08/24: St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Newark, N.J., for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert

11/10: Thomas Jefferson High School, Frederick, Maryland, for Rock Gospel for the Deaf concert