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KINDRED CROSS is a Christian band was founded with family harmonies and vocals with musicians of vast experience and background, to create a unique sound that appeals to a wide age group of listeners. The music has an uplifting contemporary style that uniquely and eclectically blends rock, country, praise & worship, and gospel music to create a signature sound. Songwriter, Steve Cunningham founded the band in 2002, but the band’s roots run deep. KINDRED CROSS has a 21-year history, and continues to play churches, community events, festivals, coffeehouses, schools, and various other venues, while introducing others to the message of the Lord of their lives, Jesus Christ. The music has been most described as “inspirational” by our listeners. One listener was quoted as saying: “I listened to your CDs and realized why the music stays with me. The songs are conversations with God. It took me a minute, but I got it!” The band has recorded and released 8 CDs, and they are listed in the “Discography,” later in this biography.
The band has been blessed with various talented members since being formed in 2002. Based in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, the band members include Steven Cunningham and Ruth Berkheimer (brother and sister) who have been performing since their early youth. The Cunningham family grew up singing at various churches and community events as children and as young adults, due to the dreams, influence, and guidance of their mother, Nancy. “My mother always wanted a singing family. This point can be summed up in one line from the song “Undying Love” which was written for his mother Nancy: “Songs that we sing since we were young, a harmony that’s never done.” Steve Cunningham, inspired by the Lord and life experiences, has written most of the songs recorded by KINDRED CROSS.
Guitarist Lorne Porta has been playing guitar since his youth, and is an accomplished musician on the electric and acoustic guitars, as well as the mandolin and dobro. He has played in various local rock bands as well as country bands throughout his career. Lorne has also co-written a few songs for a couple of KINDRED CROSS CDs. He continues to see how the Lord is using his gifts for a higher purpose. “It’s like I am giving back these gifts to the Lord, as we minister through this music” says Porta.
Bruce Doane joined KINDRED CROSS in early 2008. Bruce has been playing drums for most of his life in various bands that played mainly rock and roll. Bruce says: “In 1974 I made the best decision one can ever make, I put my heart and life into the hands of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” He looks forward to God’s plans for him inwardly and outwardly, as he provides the heartbeat for KINDRED CROSS, bringing the sacred thunder! Bruce also has done some backing vocals both in the studio and live.
Keyboardist Virginia Patchel has been playing piano and organ since she was 6 years old. She traveled with Keyboard World from 15 to 18 years old, performing on piano for pop and theater songs. She attended Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia. She has played in various worship teams, theater shows, and smooth jazz for parties and weddings. Nancy Doane joined the band as the bassist in December 2021. She is self taught and thoroughly enjoys the instrument. Nancy has been singing in choirs since she was a child. She loves the Lord and there is nothing she enjoys more than being in music ministry with her husband Bruce. They have been serving the Lord together in music ministry since they met in 1976.
Steve Cunningham began writing the songs that are on their first CD “FROM NOW ON” in April 2002, and the foundation of KINDRED CROSS was formed. The Lord inspired this creative period like no other time in his life, and various life experiences and emotions were channeled into the music. The CD features In Your Hands, I Know It Now, Here, as well as the title track From Now On. Also, Undying
Love is a ballad written for and dedicated to Nancy Cunningham. She provided the musical foundation for her family, and guided them since their early youth. Nancy got to see the CD produced and released, but passed away on January 27, 2004, after a long illness. Her legacy and faith lives on in her family and this music.
KINDRED CROSS released a CD called “LEGACY” in August 2005. LEGACY contains 14 gospel songs that the Cunningham family performed during their youth, and which laid the foundation for their faith and the vocal harmonies of KINDRED CROSS. These gospel songs are always well received in our live shows, and these songs are our musical roots,” according to Steve.
The band’s 3rd CD titled “NO OTHER ROAD” was released in October 2005. This CD includes the moving praise and worship songs I Will Lift Your Name and Come Near The Cross. The CD also includes the ballads Give Me Peace, The Miracle Of Who You Really Are, and Yours, as well as the rocking Even Now.
A 4th CD titled “THE TIME HAS COME” was released in November 2008. This collection of songs focuses on the themes of “time” and the “heart.” The epic All My Heart is accompanied by the rocking Somewhere and You Know My Heart. The ballads Later Than It Seems, Breathless, and the title track The Time Has Come, dig deep into the soul of the listener.
KINDRED CROSS released a 5th CD titled “STILL” in November 2013. This collection contains songs about the journey of life. Another theme is the relentless pursuit of each of our souls by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a collection of songs that have been written and performed with an edge like no other CD KINDRED CROSS before. These songs speak to your soul. The title track STILL is an epic rock ballad that cries out to the lost for salvation, from a personal experience. Other key songs on this CD include: The Journey, Edge Of A Lifetime, Relentless, and You Love Me Through The Nails.
KINDRED CROSS released their 6th CD titled “ECHOES OF MY HEART” in October 2015. This CD highlights and stresses God’s deep love for us, and the lyrics portray the back and forth conversations that we have each day with Our Lord, as we live our lives in this world. This CD is a collection of 11 brand new songs all written since November 1, 2014, as well as 3 re-recorded songs from our previous CDs. The highlights from these new songs include: Echoes Of My Heart (title track), Where Do I Stand, Weight Of Our Years, the beautiful ballad When as well as Through It All.
The band released their 7th CD titled “UNDAUNTED” in July 2019. UNDAUNTED defined is: undismayed; not discouraged; not forced to abandon purpose or effort; undiminished in courage or valor; not giving way to fear . . . And the title track is a blistering rock instrumental to uniquely kick off the album. It is followed by the rocking I Am Convinced and Talk compositions. The ballads My Shelter Still and Just You add a lighter depth to the mix. While Lessons, Of Things Not Seen, and A Matter Of Time sing about life, lessons learned, faith and hope.
The band's 8th CD/Album was released in July 2023 titled “EVER PRESENT.” The major themes of the 14 songs on this album are the HOLY SPIRIT and HOPE. The emphasis is that the PRESENCE of God is with us always as our Guide, Helper, and Comforter. Amen! The song titled Something To Behold rocks to begin as the 1st track, followed by Turn To Home, The Whisper We Hear, then the title track Ever Present. Listen and allow the Holy Spirit's Presence to fill you!
KINDRED CROSS is:
Steven C. Cunningham – lead & backing vocals, rhythm acoustic guitar
Lorne Porta – lead electric guitar, rhythm electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin, dobro, lap steel
Ruth L. Berkheimer – vocals
Bruce Doane – drums, percussion, vocals
Nancy Doane– bass, vocals
Virginia Patchel - keyboards
Discography:
EVER PRESENT – released July 2023
UNDAUNTED – released July 2019
ECHOES OF MY HEART – released October 2015
STILL – released November 2013
THE TIME HAS COME – released November 2008
NO OTHER ROAD – released October 2005
LEGACY – a compilation of “covered” gospel songs - released August 2005
FROM NOW ON – released December 2003
To contact the band or for general information please refer to the web site and e-mail addresses listed below, as well as on Facebook:
Steven C. Cunningham
steve@kindred-cross.com
www.kindred-cross.com
“I will sing and make music to the Lord” – Psalm 27:6
“I will praise the Lord all my life: I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” – Psalm 146:2