Stand and Be Counted Christian Rock Festival 2007: A Success

Headlined by Lincoln Brewster and Todd Agnew, the 2007 Stand and Be Counted Festival was a successful outing for musicians and Christians alike. Located at the Nut Tree Park in Vacaville (between San Francisco and Sacramento), this year's Stand And Be Counted featured over 13 bands and was designed to also honor the U.S. Armed Forces. Many performers acknowledged the service of the military members in the crowd (Travis Air Force Base is only 10 miles away), and the show even featured a presentation of the American flag as well as a grand rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A".

By Faith Productions was the company responsible for organizing this year's event. They also put on the previous two year's Stand and Be Counted festivals. According to Vince McCallister, By Faith Productions head organizer, over 6,000 people attended this event that was run by 200 + volunteers that came from all over the area. Many local and national companies sponsored the event to include MAACO; KLOVE, a nationally syndicated Christian Contemporary Radio Station; Coffee World; and Mission Solano, a local homeless shelter. Several local vendors were able to set up shop and sell their wares as well as their businesses to the passer-bys.

On the Main Stage, many of the biggest names professed their love for Jesus and gave their blessings and talents to the thousands in attendance. And for anyone there who thought Contemporary Christian bands were just acoustic guitar players on a stool, they were in for a big surprise. Transparent was a hip-hop act who won the American Christian Talent contest. Relentless Pursuit could have easily been mistaken for a mix between Sum 41 and The Hives, with their punk-pop sound and tasteful suits. They riled dozens of kids into frenzy in the front of the stage; I had to break up a mosh pit led by 14 year-old girls. Darell Mansfield blessed folks with his blues-inspired set, complete with a cover of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads".