Victor Barden: Links

Indie Heaven
Grace River: My home church!
First Monday for Men: First Monday for Men is a ministry of Grace River directed toward (do I need to say it?) MEN. That means human males ages 13 and up. They meet on the first Monday of every month from October through June at Grace River in Claremont, NH. (For about 180 years Grace River was called First Baptist Church). In an area where most people consider church and the things of God a waste of time, this event usually draws a 3-digit number of men.
Middle River Gospel: This country gospel band formed in 2009 with Jim Hills, Rod Lambert, and several others, including an electric guitarist from Rutland, Vermont, named Kevin McCarthy. I was once in a rock band with a guitarist by that name, and he lives in Rutland last I heard, but it is not the same man. On May 28, 2010, after filling in on bass for three performances, I was invited to join this group. I have done so, so now there is a good chance that where Middle River goes, there I shall be among them.
Chad Perron: Chad is a singer-songwriter whose love for the Lord Jesus Christ comes through in his music. I have the honor of playing bass on six tracks of his 2009 CD, "Grace."
The Shack: I don't often recommend a book, but after reading this one through five times I feel that I must. "The Shack" is an allegory by William Paul Young in which the protagonist, Mackenzie Phillips (a man in this case, and Mackenzie is his FIRST name -- it's the actress' middle name), receives an invitation that purports to be from God. The invitation is to a shack where evidence of the murder of his youngest daughter, Missy, was found -- the last place he would want to go naturally. Against all common sense, Mack accepts the invitation, and then he has an encounter with God that would change his life forever. It will change yours, too, if you let it; it will certainly change your concept of God for the better.
WOOL 100.1 FM Black Sheep Radio: This low-powered station in Bellows Falls, VT, has a show every Wednesday from noon to 2 PM (US Eastern Time) called "Country Christian." DJ RF almost always plays one of my songs.
WCNL Country 1010 AM: This AM station is based in Newport, New Hampshire. They play old and new country and some things that I would have called rock when they came out back in the 1970's. Yours Truly has been on "Joyful Noise" several times,; it is a gospel music program with your host Steve Guyette which airs on Sunday mornings at 8 AM Eastern Time.
Bryan Graves: Since I have two pictures of this Boston-based Christian songwriter in my photo album, it seems only fair that I should have a link to his web site. Bryan was very supportive of me during my set at the Double Cure Coffeehouse, getting right into the music.
Billy Speer: Billy Speer, who ministers with his wife, Paula, has a booming baritone voice and a larger-than-life presence, but mostly he has a great big heart for the Lord and His people. Billy loves the United States of America almost as much as he loves the Lord; he has had me bawling like a baby with his renditions of patriotic songs.
Carey Lee Rush: I've known Carey since 1976, when I was taking guitar lessons and he was hanging out at Whitcomb Music Center in Claremont. Carey has always understood that the music business is all about people; that's something I didn't learn until I was past 40. I should warn you that while I didn't see any Anglo-Saxon barnyard terms spelled out, some of the language might be a bit coarse. Carey is a man who says EXACTLY what he means and what he thinks and doesn't sugar-coat it.
Click Horning: This man is an amazing songwriter as well as a singer and rhythm guitarist. His distinctive gruff baritone is ideal for his folk-rock-pop style. He wrote songs for a living while he lived in New York, and he has won awards for his songs.
World Challenge: Home of David Wilkerson Ministries. Brother David gained fame as the author of "The Cross and the Switchblade," a true story about the early days of his ministry as an apostle to the gangs of New York City beginning in 1958. Every three weeks he sends out a printed version of one of his recent sermons to anyone who desires one; I have found these messages to be very helpful in my walk with the Lord.
Plourd Family Quartet: The Plourds are a very talented family from eastern New Hampshire who serve the Lord with their music. Several styles are used, and there's an emphasis on bluegrass and other traditional styles.
The Light Radio Network: Christian radio in the Upper Connecticut River Valley.
Golden Flash Web Radio: This is a web radio station based in Belgium; it was voted the best web radio station in Belgium in 2004. Every Thursday from 9-12 PM Belgian time (that would be 3-6 PM Eastern Standard Time), DJ Ray Pieters hosts a show called "Somewhere Between" that plays roots music that Ray believes in. If you listen often enough you might hear one of my songs on your computer.
Destiny Encounters: Eli Miller's powerful and thought-provoking ministry in the Word, formerly known as Insight Ministries.
Blue Mountain Guitar Center: I've bought lots of stuff from this music store; the main store is in West Lebanon, NH, and there is a branch down the Connecticut River in Claremont. You can even get a copy of my CD at either branch!
Disc Makers: These fine folks have been making records, tapes, and CD's for over sixty years. They made mine, too.
Thermadyne: My day job is at the West Lebanon, NH, facility. They can supply all your metal-cutting and welding needs. If you see a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 39 or 10mm power supply, there's a good chance that I had something to do with making and/or testing it.
The Gospel Train: Yours Truly was one of the five formative members of this music ministry in the fall of 2003. They specialize in Southern gospel and "singalongs." Gospel Train did not set out to be an "ecumenical" group, but the present membership includes people from eight different churches, and the five original members were all from different churches.
Pure Hope: Pornography is rife in our culture, and the church is by no means immune to its influence. 2 of every 3 men in the church could be considered a sex addict, and this man is part of the majority. The Coalition offers programs for men who want to be healed of their sexual addictions, and they also offer two types of women's groups: one for the wives of male sex addicts and the other for female sex addicts, and there are more and more of those all the time as the purveyors of that poison have been targeting young women for some time now. This monster may seem impossible to conquer, and for us in our own strength it is, but with the help of Jesus Christ and His people it can be beaten as we make choices moment by moment to allow Him more access to our lives, thereby blocking out the other influences.
Colombia Para Cristo (Colombia for Christ): Russell Stendahl has been a missionary to Colombia for many years, beginning in boyhood. He was kidnapped by a group of rebel soldiers, and many of them came to Christ as a result of his ministry. His book, "Rescue the Captors," tells the story.
The Blue Lightning: A bluegrass band from New York state. Guitarist Josh Geis (pronounced "Geese") is quite a player! And the rest of them aren't bad, either.
Debbie Berry Photography: Debbie, from Randolph, VT, can meet any and all of your photography needs.
Angela Biggs: Angela is a soprano and a voice teacher who stresses the physical and spiritual aspects of singing. She also operates the sound board at Grace River, a life-giving church in Claremont, NH (See link).
Blueberry Mountain ChildCare: Mary V. O'Mara operates this licensed Catholic/Christian family health care facility, "where growing up in God's love and learning is fun," in Sunapee, NH.