#275 A SONG IN THE NIGHT by Silverwind (1982)

A SONG IN THE NIGHT by Silverwind (1982)
Sparrow Records  |  SPR 1058

Producers:

Georgian Banov, Larry Muhoberac, Tony Salerno

File Under: Euro-Pop CCM

Time Capsule-Worthy Track:

A Song in the Night

The music of Silverwind was a breath of fresh air in the early 80s. Musical comparisons were made to the European secular group Abba and, while I'm no expert on the music of Abba, I suppose there were some similarities. Silverwind was also compared to another famous trio known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts, but that comparison didn't work as well. The 2nd Chapter was in a league of their own with a unique sound and a unique ministry. But playing the comparison game also sold Silverwind short. They deserved to be evaluated and appreciated for what they brought to the table. 

Georgian Banov was a professionally trained musician who began playing violin as a child prodigy in Bulgaria. In the 1960s, he was the founder of the first officially recognized rock band from that communist country before escaping to the United States in 1973. Initially demoralized by the San Francisco drug culture, Banov eventually met other like-minded believers and became heavily involved with ministries known as Candle and Agape Force. In 1980, in Tacoma, Washington, Banov formed Silverwind with two other members of Candle - Betsy Hernandez and Patty Gramling.

The group brought a fresh, Euro-pop sound to CCM that was well-received. Taking the Narrow Street and Never Had a Reason were standout tracks from the group's self-titled debut in 1981. Never Had a Reason was the only song to chart from that record, peaking at #8 on CCM airplay charts in 1982.

With the element of surprise now off the table, CCM listeners waited expectantly for Silverwind's sophomore offering. It did not disappoint.

Unlike the debut album, this one sported a dark color scheme on the record jacket. But the music was still light, breezy, synth-driven European pop. Audiences loved it.

A Song in the Night kicked off with the title track - a song that seemed to draw somewhat on the trio's experiences with Candle. It was a charming tune that could appeal to children and adults alike, and it received a lot of extra attention due to a music video treatment (a new art form at the time). The video for A Song in the Night (complete with ocean waves, playground equipment, a clown, a monkey, colorful flags, balloons and streamers) was played again and again on national outlets like TBN's Real Videos and the PTL Network's Sound Effects. Not at all your typical rock music video, but memorable nonetheless. It didn't hurt that Banov, Hernandez and Gramling were a physically attractive trio. The camera liked them. And their vocal blend was impressive as well. 

A New Beginning was another memorable track from this record that exhibited the trademark Silverwind sound, with lyrics by Stormie Omartian. A New Beginning climbed to #8 on CCM airplay charts, while the title track peaked at #25.

Musical heavyweights such as pianist Larry Muhoberac, bassist Abraham Laboriel, drummer Paul Leim, and percussionist Alex Acuña all contributed to the sound of A Song in the Night. The album was recorded and mixed at Westwind Studios in Thousand Oaks, CA. 

Much of Silverwind's lyrical output was a little ahead of its time, being centered primarily on praise, worship and devotion to God. They were worship before worship was cool. Before worship was commercial might be a better way to say it.

This lineup of Silverwind released one more record - 1985's By His Spirit. That one featured a hit song entitled Heaven is Being With You. Then the group inexplicably changed out all of its members, yet recorded again in 1986 under the name Silverwind with three completely new singers. Weird... 

Today Georgian Banov and his wife Winnie call themselves "joy apostles" and travel extensively conducting revival services and Christian conferences under the name Global Celebration. Their bio on the Global Celebration website says that their ministry is accompanied by "a strong anointing and tangible sense of the presence of God" as well as "signs, wonders, and the impartation of the manifest presence of Christ." 

Winnie & Georgian Banov 

Betsy Hernandez and her husband Frank (who played bass for Silverwind) have a ministry called His and Hernandez Music. Based out of Boise, Idaho, they continue to write and produce music that is focused on helping children worship and assisting children's ministries.

Frank & Betsy Hernandez

Patty Gramling (now Patricia Forney) is still involved in ministry as well. She directs a Victims of Sexual Violence ministry with a group called Heaven's Family.

Patricia Gramling Forney

Banov, Hernandez and Gramling have basically spent their lives in various Christian ministry endeavors...but memories of their 5 short years together as Silverwind never fail to bring a smile.