Rhythm and News
Biography
Bio:
Rhythm & News is a Christian acapella vocal group based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The group gained success in Canada and USA in the gospel music industry. Their acapella style with beatbox beats, hip hop and rap became known as "funkapella" throughout their fan base.
Rhythm & News was started in 1988 by four high school friends. The original members were Mark Batten, Brad Strelau, Kevin Pollard, and Doug Zimmermann. As soon as the youngest graduated high school, the boys were touring across Canada. With the release of their first album, “Get With the Rhythm", (with Canadian legend producer, Roy Salmond), Rhythm and News was introduced to the rest of Canada with their original “funkappella” style. The height of their success came in 1992, when they released their second studio album, “Word 2 Y'all", (also produced by Roy Salmond) which became the top selling album in Canada by a Canadian gospel artist. In 1994 the group spent a couple months in Detroit, MI to record their 3rd album, "Dream Love Pray" with gospel great Fred Hammond.
Later in 1994, original members Doug and Kevin left the group and were replaced with Todd Wickens and Spencer Welch. The transition produced a departure from being strictly acapella and began to tour with a live band. Rumor has it that there was a 4th album recorded but never released. The band continued to tour with this new line up across North America and parts of South America through 1998.
Rhythm & News took a hiatus after 1998 to focus on their families and other projects.
In 2008 Rhythm & News was reunited as GMA Canada presented them with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their impact on Canadian Christian Music. At this event they performed, for the first and only time, as a quintet with members Mark Batten, Brad Strelau, Todd Wickens, Spencer Welch, and Kevin Pollard.
2018 saw the addition of Clint Ironmonger as the newest member.
Rhythm & News has remained a presence and continues to perform from time to time. They casually post clips of their performances and projects even releasing a Christmas song in 2023.
Members:
Mark Batten (1987 - Present)
Brad Strelau (1987 - Present)
Todd Wickens (1994 - Present)
Clint Ironmonger (2018 - Present)
Spencer Welch (1994 - 2017)
Kevin Pollard (1987 - 1994, 2008, 2017)
Doug Zimmermann (1987 - 1994)
Awards and Nominations
There are no awards or nominations available to show at this time.
Songs
This user has not included any music on their profile.