Early Life
According to an interview given by the duo in Christianity Today, Ben Kolarcik is originally from Louisville, KY; his father was in the military and he is the fourth of five children. Kolarcik was the only one in his family to pursue music full-time. He was raised in Christian schools; his earliest performances were in this setting and in his home church of Southeast Christian Church, in Louisville. These experiences led him to the decision to be a full time independent artist. After high school,he got married to Melissa Strandell. Opportunities came about to perform consistently, nationally and internationally, including such places as Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Poland. A self-taught guitarist, the multi-talented artist has also learned to play piano and lap dulcimer. Kolarcik references his influences as being The Beatles, The Police and Jeff Buckley to Keith Green, Rick James, Jimi Hendrix and Rich Mullins.
Per the same interview, Justin Unger had some similar experiences. Unger was raised on Christian music. He was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ and is the middle of three brothers. His father was a self-taught musician and a roofer by trade, and his mother a stay-at-home mom. Justin, influenced by his father's musical pursuits, began playing piano at age 10, and trumpet in the school band. Unger began writing music at 17 for his grandfather, who was a pastor. He also started a Christian band called "Emmaus," performing as lead vocalist on the songs that his grandfather and he had written.
Read more about this topic: Across The Sky
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or life:
“I don’t believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age one stands still and stagnates.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“When he who adores thee has left but the name
Of his fault and his sorrows behind,
O! say wilt thou weep, when they darken the fame
Of a life that for thee was resign’d!”
—Thomas Moore (1779–1852)