Brian Arnold, Feature Article

Mar

2005

Brian Arnold

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As I was sitting down for this interview, I couldn’t help but think what a different kind of interview this would be. Brian Arnold is a man of many talents. He certainly is a capable Baritone singer, as he’s singing with one of the premier groups in the country, Chosen Few. He is a remarkable piano player as well. He plays better with one hand than many piano players can play with two. Brian also has an outstanding sense of humor. But, with all of these blessings, Brian has not been without his share of problems either.

I was familiar with a little of Brian’s history, how he lost part of his leg in a lawn mower accident, and how he later lost the use of his left arm in a terrible semi-truck/auto accident. That’s why he can play the piano better with one hand than many can do with two. When you see him sit down at a piano, you immediately understand that he has a love for the piano. It’s interesting that Brian now considers the past events of his life, though tragic, to be vehicles that God now uses for him to minister to lost souls.

Brian is not only talented in all the areas I have listed above, but he is also a gifted songwriter. He loves to team up with his favorite producer, Zane King, when it comes to writing. He has written some great songs such as,

Brian is about to set out on some solo performances. He feels that his handicaps make him very unique and that he can offer something different to his audiences. I couldn’t stop smiling while he was saying that, as I had visions in my mind of last year at the NQC when he literally pulled his artificial foot off while sitting at the piano. The whole place was rolling in the aisles, and I could only imagine how he might use that in a solo performance. Brian said that as he gets older, he has become more comfortable using his handicaps to help him get his point across, and that he sort of likes that shock factor. Brian is looking forward to doing his solo project. He said that he is a Baritone singer and of course Baritone singers never get solos, so in order to get some solos, he has to do his own solo project.

Sometimes interviewers just have a question pop in their head and they ask it. Unfortunately that’s what I did. I couldn’t help but ask Brian if he was related to the other famous Arnold singer, Eddie Arnold. He replied not that he knew of, but if he was Eddie could call him immediately, and then I think he mentioned something about always wanting a rich uncle. Just a quick example of Brian's great sense of humor.

Brian is quick to state that much of their success is due to the time that Chosen Few spent at Silver Dollar City. Brian says that they made fans across the country while there and God knew that when they went into full time ministry they would need those contacts.

In the Chosen Few concerts last year, over 700 souls gave their hearts to the Lord. Brian considers Chosen Few as mainly a church group and that is why they have such success in seeing souls brought into the Kingdom. Chosen Few is also a very unique group, because they have such a diverse portfolio of songs. They reach just about every generation. Though they all love the old quartet music and style of singing, so much so that they recorded their last CD as a tribute to the old quartets, they have evolved into a group that sings many styles, and performs them very effectively. Chosen Few does seem to be going through some changing times. Tenor, Ashley Ellison, has surrendered to the call of ministry and has taken the Pastorate of a church, causing him to step down from the full-time spot of Tenor with the group. He is not leaving the group totally for he will still work in the office and still do some singing as he is available. It also happens that Brian is going to be doing some ministering of his own, so on any dates that Brian is out, Ashley will fill in on the Baritone spot. This of course means that Chosen Few is looking for a qualified Tenor to sing with them. Brian stresses that though they are looking for a talented Tenor, and want as great a vocal candidate as they can find, their main concern is that whoever sings with them has a heart for ministry. They are looking for someone who has a deep desire to use his voice to see souls saved.

Interested candidates who are ministry minded should contact them at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (417) 831-9060.

When Chosen Few comes into your area make sure that you get out seeing them, and, make sure that you meet Brian Arnold.

Don't forget to see Brian and Chosen Few at the 6th Annual Gospel Music Festival Thursday, July 28, 2005 at River of Life in Smryna, TN

Visit Brian Arnold at http://www.brianarnold.com
Visit Chosen few at http://www.chosen-few.com

Reader Comments

Dear Deon,

Great article. Not only is Brian a gifted musician but he is also a tremendous songwriter. If you look on a number of cd projects in our industry, you will see his name. I had the chance to talk to Brian at convention this last year and I must say a couple of things impressed me. He has a humble spirit about him and you could tell that he walks with God. I think these defining qualities make Brian the great person he is. Brian ... blessings to you and Chosen Few. I hope to see you at convention again and until then, keep on keepin' on.

Sincerely,
In Christ ... Steven Cheney