First Baptist Church is known for its annual Christmas play, but the church plans to mix things up in 2014.
This year, an audience will be treated to the unique sounds of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra.
“They’re a very talented Christian group,” Director of Technical Ministries Jay Ballard says. “They have a fresh take on songs.”
Led by Denver Bierman, the nine-member Mile High Orchestra is a horn-driven band that calls Nashville, Tennessee home. Founded in 1999, while its members were at Belmont College, the group has created its own signature blend of jazz and big band influences to get its sound — something that the band itself calls “power funk.”
“We’ve never really been a mainstream, pop radio band — we’ve just tried to be a band that everybody could enjoy — a band for the American family,” Bierman said. “What could be better than being a band for the American family?”
This fresh sound garnered the band plenty of international attention, including a stint on the television show, “The Next Great American Band,” on FOX, that ended with a third-place finish, and performances at both the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City, Utah, and the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens, Greece.
The group has released seven albums, including the Dove Award-winning children’s album, “Groovy.” Its most recent album, “Mile High Hymns,” was released April 16 of this year and is available on iTunes for $9.99.
The members have toured with some big names in music, such as The Who, Kelly Clarkson, Donna Summer, MercyMe and more. The band is about to begin its “Merry and Bright Christmas Tour,” a 13-stop outing that’s taking the band to churches and venues in locations like Minnesota, the Carolinas, Illinois and Texas. The Dec. 7 stop in Plant City will be the band’s only date in Florida. They’ve changed their tour route just to stop at Plant City’s First Baptist Church.
But it also won’t be the first time the band has set foot in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
“They’ve been here twice before, and they liked us,” Ballard says. “They changed their tour path so that they could take care of us.”
Concert-goers can expect to hear a good mix of traditional Christmas and religious songs, but performed in the band’s vibrant, upbeat style.
“They do a really good version of ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Joy to the World,’” Ballard says.
The best part? This concert will be free and open to the public.
“Everyone’s invited,” Ballard says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
DENVER AND THE MILE HIGH ORCHESTRA
Where: First Baptist Church of Plant City, 503 N. Palmer St.
When: Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free