The One Who Knows, Is In Control
By Bryan Duncan
Kevin Thomson, Bass player and founder of the Sweet Comfort Band, died on May 30th 2010. “ Knowledge is power” he used to say “ the one who knows is in control”. I smile now because he never told the band where the gig was! “how much further is this gig?” we would ask and he’d always say “four more miles”. It became one of the standard “Kevinisms” we would quote for years when we didn’t have a clue.
The one who knows is in control. Kevin followed Jesus Christ. His favorite SCB tune, of course, was the one with the longest bass solo in it! * “Get Ready” was a staple in the band’s set through six albums and eleven years. We closed the show with it even to the last concert. The song is a proclamation of the return of Christ and perhaps the mission statement of Sweet Comfort Band. Get Ready!
If our choice of food is any indication of who we are, “Kev” was an all meat burrito with extra sauce and a big gulp. But he was an evangelist above all. When I met him in 1972, he was doing a home bible study. I was a nominal student at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, and a clean cut run away from the east coast. He had an “afro” back then, and when coming to see me, stood out on the Christian campus like a hippie at the museum. The Jesus movement had caught fire in Southern California by then. I was singing solo at the circus tent they called Calvary Chapel. Monday night was a big bible study night there, maybe 3000 people, who could also hear the new Jesus music bands, Love Song, Children of the Day, Bill Sprouse, and Country Faith.
He’d heard me play a couple of songs one Monday night and came to see me about singing with his brother and himself. I now don’t remember our first gig as “Sweet Comfort”, probably cause he didn’t say. But what followed was an every weekend trip to small churches, prisons, and high school lunch time concerts. Kevin was the booking agent, manager, and driver of the Winnebago, also the head roadie! He lifted all the heavy stuff, prided himself on his strength. Usually set up the P.A. system by himself, that we blew up almost every month, and in the earliest days ran the sound from the stage. I always thought the bass was too loud!
It was his vision to present the Gospel in a new way and every concert contained an evangelistic message from the Bass player! Sweet Comfort Band brought a new Jazz rock influence to Jesus Music but Kevin Thomson was pure hard rock at heart. Listening to bands like Mountain and Moby Grape. It wasn’t that he hated ballads so much as he just had an aversion to Whole notes. (too much down time for the bass player). You’ll notice in the song “I Love You With My Life”, the biggest Sweet Comfort Band Ballad of our career, that the bass line bounces all the way through, much like Kevin in real time.
In concert, he would often deliver his favorite message. The story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he would elaborate upon the size of the Roman soldiers and all their gear, who came to take Jesus, “but when Jesus said “I am” the soldiers fell backwards on their backs.” He would quote from scripture. “Jesus didn’t have to die for us” he would say “he could have just called out his name over and over and the troops would have gotten tired and gone home”.
You could see Kevin’s inner strength most when he spoke of Jesus. “Jesus wasn’t a wimp” he would say. “Nobody takes a beating like that and then carries a cross most of the way to his own crucifixion”. In Kevin’s eyes, Jesus is the all knowing second person of the trinity, God in the flesh. “The one who knows”, and has all the control over life and death. He believed it, he lived it. Who knows, perhaps Kevin fell on his back too at the voice of Jesus proclamation, “I am”. There was no doubt who Kevin was listening to for the rhythm of life.
In the end Kevin had his own cross to bear and yet some thought something might be wrong with him because he never went through the depression that comes with quadriplegia. But then maybe knowledge is power here too! Kevin knew that “the one who knows is in control” even to the end of his life he was steadfast in his trust of a savior who doesn’t explain our circumstances to us. “Sweet Comfort” was the description of Kevin Thomson’s hope in Jesus. There’s a new bass solo in the heavenly angel band.
Kevin Thomson Bass Solo SCB “Get Ready” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EhcPuwBvZg
Thanks for the memories Brian. I remember his teaching and alter calls. i also remember his pleas for Compassion International. He helped save souls and feed the hungry children. That is a good legacy to leave. I loved mixing Get Ready because of the bass solo. Kevin asked me if I could mix and i said NO. He asked me if I could learn and i said yes. He said that he could teach me everything about mixing Rock, Jazz, Country and everything else. Because he belived in me and I in him I have served behind the board for 30 years serving the Lord. Again a good legacy.
I can’t be at the memorial but please tell Rick and Kevin’s family that they are in our prayers. As for Kevin, I couldnot be happier but I feel sorry for the soundmen in heaven. God Bless, Tommy
I was blessed to get to know Kevin because he was in my small inner circle of about a dozen mostly musical friends. I even traveled with them to open a few of their early concerts. He definitely fit his papa bear persona, being a tad older than most of us, already married and established in his construction career.
In those few amazing years, he became a ubiquitous fixture in what was the fastest growing, and eventually largest church in Riverside County: Calvary Chapel, where Greg Laurie began his ministry. Sweet Comfort played frequently as a trio then, and many of us passed out business card-sized concert invitations on the streets, parks, malls, and campuses weekly. At first, we met in a small Episcopalian Chapel in the afternoon, then bought an old vacant Baptist church building. The crowds kept getting bigger. We opened the side windows and set up chairs outside, knocked out the back wall to add more seating, added a balcony, but it just was never enough. GOD was doing something big and we were in the middle of it. We rented the Civic Auditorium, then Raincross Square sporting arena, and eventually the building Harvest is in now.
People were getting saved in droves every week. Contributing his part to the foundation of that work is not a bad portfolio for someone to present to the LORD, but Kevin didn’t rest on his laurels.
His work with Sweet Comfort Band rocketed and they were able to expand their ministry far beyond the walls of that one church. In my view, the church was like a major earthquake, and Sweet Comfort its tsunami!
Kevin certainly had tons of fun playing his Gibson SG bass through his tiny Mitchell sand-filled folded horn cabinet (which he sold to me about the time he traded up to his trademark Alembic), but he really took his spiritual role seriously, always refocusing all of that energy back to the LORD.
I’ve been looking forward to reconnecting with Kevin, but now I’ll just have to wait a little longer.
It’s certainly bittersweet when someone like Kevin leaves this place and goes on to be with our Lord. I grew up with SCB’s music and (I actually proposed to my wife playing “Just like me” to her on my acoustic, 23 years ago) of course, followed the members subsequent projects afterward. As a bassplayer myself, hearing Kevin locked in with Rick and driving the mix. God bless Bryan, Randy & Rick as you move forward with your music.
~Don~
Pingback: SPECIAL EDITION…Lifespring!, Lifespring! Weekend Music Show, and Life Out Of Step “Remembering The Sweet Comfort Band’s Kevin Thomson” | Life Out Of Step
Pingback: fyimusic.ca » Blog Archive » Today’s headlines, June 07
I remember the first day of college for me at Geneva College, curious as to what my new roommate would be like…as I rummaged through his records (he was at the cafeteria) I found a Sweet Comfort Band album.
Having never heard of SCB, I asked him to play it when he got back…I became a fan instantly. I had many Stonehill albums, but that day SCB along with Bobby’s example began a journey that led me to what I am today.
Thank you for your obedience to the call…
My deepest sympathies to you all at the loss of Kevin…I’ll bet he’s jammin’ in Heaven right now, and he ain’t sittin’ on no dumb clouds either!!!
God bless
kevmcconnell
Bryan, we went to SEBC together and I just wanted to let you know that I am so proud of you for all your achievements. I saw you on Dr. James Robinson’s TV ministry and we emailed after that. Please put me on your Face Book friend list. I would love
to keep in touch with you. I love your music. Peggy
So sorry for your loss Bryan. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
I remember those early days . Keven was a friend to us back then . We loved him and the SCB . He always moved us when he would preach . One night we brought some young nabor kids with us to see the band . They were moved too and gave there haerts to The Lord that night . In the times we where with him , he made us laugh . We always enjoyed hanging out with him . That Heavenly Band is rockin out the bass with Keven there ! Peace & Love .
I didnt have a chance to meet Kevin but enjoyed his work. I first heard Sweet Comfort Band in my young teenage years and my favorite song was perfect timing. I wished I could still learn a guitar solo like that. I still enjoy the album and I am moved to tears with all of the slwo ballads. My sincerest and deepest regrets at the loss of Kevin. I have been a fan of the band as it dispersed and some went their seperate ways. But yes no one had the bass right like Kevin. Bryan the bass was loud but it was glorious and I belive that all of you sang as if the Lord were truly there in front of you. God bless.
Sad to hear of Kevins death sweet comfort band had a big impression on me as a young christian back in the 70,s. Still play the cd,s and still sounds great. He will be sadly missed but hes havin a great time now. God bless you bryan in all you do
On March 10th 1975 in Stockton California I went to my first Christian concert and it was SCB. I went forward and prayed with Bryan to receive Jesus and my world completely changed. I read Bryan’s article about the early days of touring with Kevin in the Winnabago and his commitment to Jesus and the ministry. I am full of wonder and appreciation as I remember that it was Kevin who brought the message of Jesus to my life. 35 years of blessing and knowing God’s love. Living and Loving Jesus every step of the way. My wife and my children know God because of the music that Kevin played. I went to every SCB concert that was near to me. I was there in Sacramento one night when Kevins teeth came flying out and bounced down the stairs, he said my wife has never seen me without my teeth and you have. I have enjoyed every moment of every SCB concert that I have ever been to. I thank my God always for every remembrance that I have of Kevin and SCB. I am truly the good fruit of his ministry and I am the fruit that remains.” I watched the video of the band playing the song “get ready” at Kevins memorial and I was filled with wonder, grace, and love, love for Kevin and grateful for the life that I have enjoyed since that first night I saw him and he brought me the message of Jesus giving his life for me. Thank you God for Kevin.
Oh, I just remembered it was Rick whose teeth fell out when he came out from the drums and played the guitar. Sorry Kevin.
my life has changed it’s not the same and i know the reason why. He(Jesus) knew i’d find Him one fine day, now(wow) i’m never going to die!!! i saw scb in tulsa 30 years ago. as with the rest of the band members, kevin rocked! although he’s gone home, i’ll bet he still does. God bless!