Tyler Emond

There'll be some rocking in His name Saturday at the Congregational Church of Laconia when local teen Tyler Emond and American Idol finalist Chris Sligh perform Christian music with a decidedly contemporary twist.

The show begins at 7 p.m. with Emond, who will be a junior this fall at Gilford High School and who counts Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boston and 3 Doors Down among his influences, playing some covers but also originals that highlight the present focus of his music.

"Now, my biggest influence is Jesus," said Emond, who along with his mom Tammy is a member of the Congregational Church's Music Committee, and who answered his personal call to Christ while attending SoulFest 2007.

A year later, Emond — who's been playing guitar for 51/2 years after starting music in the second grade with piano and saxophone — was invited to play at the weeklong Christian music festival held annually at Gunstock Mountain Resort.

Through SoulFest, Emond made the contacts that led Sligh — who recently co-wrote Rascal Flatts' No. 1 single "Here Comes Goodbye" while releasing his own album, "Running Back To You" — to come to Laconia and the CCL.

Proceeds from the show — the second of its kind specifically geared to a younger audience, Emond said — will be used to support church programs.

"Our church is delighted to provide the musical and faith-filled opportunity to the Lakes Region," said the Rev. Warren Bouton, Congregational Church pastor. "It all came about because one of our youth had the idea and was excited about making it happen. We encourage our folks to share their ideas and their gifts. This concert is a result of that spirit."

The concert will begin with Emond and his Taylor acoustic guitar filling the soaring church space with sound.

"I'm excited to be opening for Chris," said Emond, who thinks there's "a good chance" that the church will be occupied to its 400-person capacity thanks to Sligh's drawing power.

Sligh was one of six finalists on season six of American Idol. Since Idol, he has lived in Franklin, Tenn., and made his living as a singer/songwriter. While he describes himself as a "believer," Sligh, whose debut album "Run To You" made it into the Top 10 on the Christian music charts, told People.com earlier this year that he hates the term "Christian music."

"We're trying to make a record that transcends the genre of Christian music and one that could stand up to U2 or Coldplay or something like that. I think it could blow a lot of people away."

Christian popular music has been around for years, Emond said, noting that Stryper has been playing metal with a message since the 1990s. The popularity and diversity of Christian music, he added, was on full display at SoulFest this year and will be on Saturday at the CCL.

Emond hopes that one day, "I can make music my life" while his ambition in this venture is to generate more interest in the CCL and its outreach to a younger demographic, to maybe land a record deal and ultimately, to save some souls.

Tickets to Saturday's concert at the CCL are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, with general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased at the Sundial Shop, Greenlaw's Music and at the church office. For more information, call 524-0668. - The Citizen, Laconia NH

Before American Idol contestant
Chris Sligh took the
stage at the Congregational
Church of Laconia last Saturday
night, Gilford High
School junior Tyler Emond
opened the show with his
own set of Christian music.
Emond is a member of the
Congregational Church’s
Music Committee and has
played guitar for five years.
He said he’s been a fan of
Christian music for three
years, after his experience at
the Christian music festival
Soulfest in 2007.
Sligh, known for his humor,
his big curly hair, and a
big personality, was one of
six finalists on the sixth season
of “American Idol.” He
said he considers himself a
musician who is Christian,
more so than a Christian musician.
Sligh recently wrote a
song for the country band
Rascal Flatts, “Here Comes
Goodbye,” and has his own
album on the way, “Running
Back To You.”
Emond started off the
show playing his acoustic
guitar for the crowd with
Christian influenced songs
he wrote himself. He also
played other performers’
songs, which he found to reflect
his own beliefs, such as
“Your Love is Extravagant”
and “Amazing Grace.” Most
of Emond’s songs had to do
with love, friendship, and
sharing the same beliefs with
others.
“I wrote my next song
from deep down in my heart.
It’s about giving yourself to
Christ, which is what I did
three years ago,” Emond said
before playing one of his
originals.
For his final song, “Amazing
Grace,” Edmond encouraged
the crowd to sing with
him. - Gilford Steamer, Gilford NH