Broken Oaks
Johnstown, New York, United States
Music
Press
- Broken Oaks, comprised of Josef and Julie Devine, along with longtime friend Dave Armento, combine harmonies, driving guitar musicals and tender Celtic ballads to comfort and encourage the heart. Their music includes Celtic and country sounds featuring guitar, bass, flute, mandolin, rhythm instruments and more. - The Saratogian Sept. 11, 2004
"Like the deep wild places nestled in the Adirondacks, Celtic roots and the mountain sounds are woven through a tapestry of harmonies and acoustic instrumentation...They seem to personify the resiliency of a fallen acorn -- how after its brokenness there is life...In addition to playing in and around New York's Capital District, the duo has been featured on several regional radio stations, during which time their song, "Hallowed Be Thy Name," caught national attention. When Christian radio station, The Night Watch, heard the song, they saw a perfect fit with their rich worshipful format."
- The Amsterdam Recorder Nov 16 2005
"Like the deep wild places nestled in the Adirondacks, Celtic roots and the mountain sounds are woven through a tapestry of harmonies and acoustic instrumentation...They seem to personify the resiliency of a fallen acorn -- how after its brokenness there is life...In addition to playing in and around New York's Capital District, the duo has been featured on several regional radio stations, during which time their song, "Hallowed Be Thy Name," caught national attention. When Christian radio station, The Night Watch, heard the song, they saw a perfect fit with their rich worshipful format."
- The Amsterdam Recorder Nov 16 2005
"Devine Assistance"
by Ken KilpatrickEaster service was a special treat for this ALC musician, in that it provided a rare opportunity to sit for once on the other side of the mikes, and listen to music as opposed to help make it. And like the miraculous wine at the wedding in Cana, no mediocre fare was this, but a caliber of singing, musicianship and presentation one would expect to enjoy at a high priced concert venue.While it is perhaps obvious that my own interest in guitar never advanced beyond that of an avocation, it was equally apparent that guest guitarist Josef Devine’s fluid playing reflected the many years he spent as a touring professional. The superior technical ability with which he blessed us may have come by way of the smoky clubs and Celtic ballads that were once his mainstay, but our true blessing lay in the fact that such talent is now given wholly to the glorification of God through sacred music.Complimenting Joe’s able playing and backup harmonies were his wife Julie’s sonorous, spirit-filled vocals and lilting flute. Together, this generous Johnstown, New York-based couple, who took time out of their Easter week visit with family in Michigan to gift us with their ministry of song, helped elevate our Easter service from ordinary to memorable. My only regret is that living halfway across the country as they do, it will probably be quite some time before they are able to perform for us again (or hand deliver much appreciated videotaped messages of moral support). Still, it was beautiful while it lasted. Thanks, Joe and Julie!(The Devines are trusting that God will bless their decision to turn their music ministry into a full-time venture. - The Abider Press
"Devine Assistance"
by Ken KilpatrickEaster service was a special treat for this ALC musician, in that it provided a rare opportunity to sit for once on the other side of the mikes, and listen to music as opposed to help make it. And like the miraculous wine at the wedding in Cana, no mediocre fare was this, but a caliber of singing, musicianship and presentation one would expect to enjoy at a high priced concert venue.While it is perhaps obvious that my own interest in guitar never advanced beyond that of an avocation, it was equally apparent that guest guitarist Josef Devine’s fluid playing reflected the many years he spent as a touring professional. The superior technical ability with which he blessed us may have come by way of the smoky clubs and Celtic ballads that were once his mainstay, but our true blessing lay in the fact that such talent is now given wholly to the glorification of God through sacred music.Complimenting Joe’s able playing and backup harmonies were his wife Julie’s sonorous, spirit-filled vocals and lilting flute. Together, this generous Johnstown, New York-based couple, who took time out of their Easter week visit with family in Michigan to gift us with their ministry of song, helped elevate our Easter service from ordinary to memorable. My only regret is that living halfway across the country as they do, it will probably be quite some time before they are able to perform for us again (or hand deliver much appreciated videotaped messages of moral support). Still, it was beautiful while it lasted. Thanks, Joe and Julie!(The Devines are trusting that God will bless their decision to turn their music ministry into a full-time venture. - The Abider Press
Discography
Our latest CD -- "You Make Me Dwell in Peace"
is available @ www.brokenoaks.com and documents a lifelong journey of healing through grace.
Listen online to many of our popular tunes!
Our Newest release -- Come, Jerusalem, Come has also been released as a single to benefit flood victims in Northeast upstate NY. Both are available online.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
THE PROMISE: When his father told him, “Take care of your mother, make the Irish music, and
play football for Notre Dame some day,” eight-year–old Joe never imagined his dad would be dead within hours.
Suddenly, neighborhood kids were teasing him for more than his Aussie accent. He became the “poor” kid, whose destitute mother worked through the nights to salvage their shattered lives. That’s because his father, an Irish/Australian immigrant, had drank himself to death after the family pub burned to the ground without any insurance.
Just before the fire, young Joe had been playing with the colorful keg caps in the pub’s basement when sparks suddenly shot out and smoke began sizzling all around. In terror, he darted for the stairs, but before he could escape the electrical box began flaming in earnest blocking the stairs. In terror, Joe wheeled around and rushed to the windows, where he hurriedly stacked boxes and climbed up through a window to run off down the street. When he turned back the pub was on fire, but still too scared to even think he kept running down the street. What if his parents thought he started it? Within minutes the fire trucks came and there were flames leaping fifty feet in the air. When Joe came back his mother ran over and embraced
him; she had thought he was still inside!
Later it was determined to be an electrical fire, but at first Joe’s father thought that his only son had started the fire.
Years later...Joe entered the Air Force just before his mother passed away. Then finally, Joe’s sister died too, leaving him completely alone with only THE PROMISE ~ MAKE the Irish music.
“For over 20 years that PROMISE almost consumed me,” Joe said. “Celtic harmonies, Celtic guitar, every rebel and fight song, writing for RCA and others, then one day I realized, my children were growing up alone in the world ~ just like I had.”
PERFECTION: Julie came from a “GOOD” Christian two-parent family, and yet felt pretty much
alone. Julie said, “My greatest fear was that my parents would find out I was the kid everyone
hated.”
That’s because, Julie had been disfigured in a fall from the monkey bars so that years of cruel
jokes plagued her throughout school. And worse yet, Julie suffered a concussion as a thirdgrade
bully slammed her head into the sidewalk while children looked on cheering.
After some success in sports and music, Julie began taking drugs in junior high school. When
she couldn’t be PERFECT, though, she ran away. After that, came foster homes, group homes,
and detention facilities where Julie was attacked, had an abortion, and even overdosed on
drugs before finally enlisting in the Navy.
PERFECT IN HIS PROMISE: It was many long years before Julie learned that perfection is only
possible through the redemptive GRACE of Christ. As a teacher and Family Life Educator, Julie
has written or spoken for organizations including one of Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family
publications, Contact Magazine, as well as a feature article disputing partial-birth abortion in the
Detroit News. In 2002, the Lord united Julie and Joe, and their unique backgrounds were
combined to form what the media has christened the “SOUL-DEEP” sound of Celtic-Christian
Music.
Joe said, “I don’t think too much about those days right after the pub fire, but I will never forget
the promise I made to my dad, NOT BECAUSE I COULD NOT KEEP IT, but because that
childish promise NEARLY consumed my life.”
Maybe an eight-year-old boy would have no idea what the PROMISE he made would cost him,
but then the Father in heaven comes down to walk with the boy ~ to walk him “through the fire”.
After that the boy can grow into a man, who really isn’t alone in this world.
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not consume you…for I
am the Lord your God.” - Isaiah 43:3
Dropped, Broken, Buried, DESTINY…Like acorns DROP from Oak Trees must break and then
bury themselves beneath the ground for a season in order to emerge to their destiny ~ so too we
often go through seasons of brokenness before rising into the light of His plan for us…and yet
we were all created for this, His wonderful plan for us.
Dropped, Broken, Buried, DESTINY…
We were born for Greatness!
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