Rivenside

“I cannot think of a more genuine and passionate group of young men; they are moldable servants who truly desire to see God’s church intimately worshipping HIM. Their sound is incredible,” raves Texas youth pastor on Texas based band Rivenside.
Growing up in a small suburb of Houston, Texas, Jordan Dunn and Brandon Rich started a friendship long before music was ever part of their lives. In fact the first time they found out each other could sing was 4 to 5 years into their friendship. Thankfully they did discover each other’s love for music and singing. Not only that, God had also gifted, called, and put a passion within their hearts utilize their talents full time for Christian service; therefore, they began a student praise and worship ministry together at their home church in Deer Park, Texas.
Not long after, Brandon made plans to move to College Station, Texas to further his education; Jordan was still in high school, and would attempt to continue the church’s worship ministry without his partner. After Rich’s move he made several attempts to find an area to continue his love for worship leading but God wasn’t opening any doors for him in this new location; therefore, after finishing only one semester in College Station, he decided to return home and pursue his main desire, and music ministry calling with Dunn. The two have now been singing together and leading worship ever since along with other band members Dustin Burt and Jarrod Blocker.
Brandon had also begun developing his song writing skills and introduced Jordan to several of his songs. Anxious to get some professional opinions on their sound and original material, the guys sent a rough recording to local producer Troy Warren Jr. They were familiar with his expertise because he had produced local artist Jimmy Needham’s first two projects in which they were very impressed with the quality of his work. Upon hearing the guy’s tunes and vocals Mr. Warren immediately asked for a meeting with the two of them and strongly encouraged Dunn and Rich to enter the studio and begin work on a demo project, and thus the birth of Rivenside began.
The demo titled “I Thirst for You,” consists of four original songs written by Brandon Rich and Darren Dunn, the young men’s Youth Pastor and Jordan’s father. Completion took place in the summer of 2008, and features everything from a piano driven ballad, to an all out worship, contemporary feel, with a hint of soul and rich harmonies, completely in line with what you’re hearing on Christian radio across the country. Troy Warren, Jr. states, “These guys are super talented, they have the freshest sound I’ve heard in a long time.” Their original songs are inspired from creator God, and His Word; their music comes from the heart and is something everyone can relate to. Lord willing, they desire to return to the studio as soon as funds allow and complete a full album.
Rivenside’s courage and determination shows that no matter what age you are you can do huge things for God. As these guys continue to grow as musicians their main goal is to stay in the will of God, to reach out to as many people as they can through the power of worship, understanding the tremendous responsibility and privilege that God is allowing them to use their talents in His name. These guys are true worship leaders and it’s their desire to bring the listener into the presence of Jesus Christ, and that His love would be felt within every lyric. They hope God will use them to kindle a fire in their generation to totally surrender their lives to God and live for His glory. We have one ultimate goal in all of this, states Dunn and Rich, “For believers to experience a more intimate relationship with their Savior and to invite lost souls to the cross where they can grasp the love that Jesus Christ extends to all, who will come.”