Every Sunday the “Live It Up” band plays rock and roll with a message at Praise Tabernacle Church.
By David Eisenberger
Sundays at Praise Tabernacle church are filled with energy all because of their band for the homeless.
For 30 years, the house band has been playing rock & roll and rhythm & blues.
The core members of the band have been together for the entire 30 years. Band members Artie, John, Julio, Paulie, Rick & Jimmy Vent use the group as a form of religious outreach.
Five years ago Gennie and Jan joined the band as background singers, and three years ago Pastor Allen asked the band to play for the Live it Up service held every Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm.
The band has changed its name over the years, and was once called “The Rehab”. Pastor Allen says that “The Rehab” was his favorite name for the band.
John, the inspiration of the band, who also started the Upper Room Coffee House in West Warwick has written most of the songs.
The rest of the songs in the band’s repertoire are parodies of rock classics, like “Sweet Home Alabama” (now “Sweet Home Up in Heaven”).
In the future, the group would like to record a cd of their music. One of the band members, Arti Ruso said they play because, “God loves rock & roll and rhythm & blues. But, he’ll take your blues away!”
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