![\"The](\"http:\/\/old.covchurch.org\/uploads\/3r\/pC\/3rpCyBBHCaZOMgszEhEhfQ\/1332.jpg\")
Their music suddenly has become part of the soundtracks to several TV programs. “How to Save a Life” was played on “Grey’s Anatomy” and their hit, “Over My Head (Cable Car),” has been heard on the new show “What About Brian.” The song “Look After You” provided texture to a scene on the TV series “Bones.”<\/p>\n
They now travel by bus, have a stage crew, stay in a better class of hotel, and the food is a lot better. Not bad for two young men who grew up and helped lead worship at Community Covenant Church in Arvada, Colorado.<\/p>\n
“It’s surreal in that I never honestly thought it would happen,” Welsh says. “It’s still weird to think we’ve sold 250,000 copies of the album.” Wysocki is equally amazed. “The big picture has totally exceeded our expectations,” he says. “We get to experience things we wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s a pretty cool job.”<\/p>\n
Wysocki and Welsh, both 21, have known each other since the fourth grade. Both had become noted for their abilities by the time they were in high school. In 2002, the two were attending college, but left when they were invited to join lead singer and songwriter Isaac Slade, 24, and guitarist Joe King, 25,who had begun performing together.<\/p>\n
In 2004, after several attempts at getting a local Denver radio station to play their songs, Slade had given up on the local outlet, KTCL. King was not to be deterred, however, and submitted yet another song.<\/p>\n
“I told him it was the wrong station,” says Slade, who says he was happy to be proved wrong when “Cable Car,” as it was then known, captured the station’s attention and a spot on the regular rotation. The airplay led the listeners to campaign for the band to get a recording contract.<\/p>\n
Band members say they aren’t quite sure how the quick change happened since the beginning of the year. Now it is happening so fast, it’s hard at times to take it all in, says Wysocki.<\/p>\n
The band does not fit the image of partying rock stars. “We’re pretty boring,” Slade says. After a show, King can generally be found at the bowling alley, and the others often retire to their rooms to watch TV and call their wives and fianc\u00e9es.<\/p>\n
Wysocki and King are both married, and Welsh and Slade are both engaged. They credit their partners’ patient understanding and encouragement for much of the band’s success.<\/p>\n
The other two band members have strong Christian backgrounds, as well. Slade and King led worship at their respective churches growing up. Band members are open about sharing their faith, and even wish more people would write about faith.<\/p>\n
Although they grew up listening to Christian rock bands, members say they believe God has called them to play to a wider audience. “From an artistic standpoint, we don’t want to be a Christian band,” Wysocki says. “We’re not pastors, we’re not preachers, we’re not even missionaries.”<\/p>\n
What they are, Slade says, is a band committed to being truthful about their experiences. The songwriter adds he hopes that the honesty, which includes questions, will give the band more opportunity to share their faith off the stage. Like many other bands, they look to U2 as their model for combining their faith and music.<\/p>\n
Wysocki enjoys telling the story of a caller who surprised the band and deejay of a local secular radio station they were visiting. “(The deejay) was saying, ‘tell us why you love The Fray,’ and he says, ‘because they’re a faith-based band.’ That was the coolest thing that happened to me in a long time.”<\/p>\n
Wysocki and Welsh say it is difficult to maintain a strong devotional life on the road. Welsh says he has been pleased with the opportunity to attend church now that the band is between tours.<\/p>\n