..
Here are the notes. I want to title this text "Out of Zion,"
while the album
title is simply Phil Keaggy -- ZionIt is written that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I can
think of no
one about whom that is more true than Ken Hoover. Though
wracked by a
progressively destructive disease, all its' outward signs fall
away upon
engaging those blue eyes of his, eyes that reflect the very
peace and
presence
of God.
Ken is a guitar maker. And though he is no longer able to
carry out the
work of crafting fine instruments with his own hands, a guitar
maker he
remains, his passion and vision being expertly carried out by
his long-time
partner, Jim Gray, and faithful employee, Kirby Wilkins.
Through exploring
Ken's personal expression through his chosen craft, one gains
insight into
the heart of this special man.
Five years of guitar repair work gave Ken the opportunity
to see many
guitars from the inside out. In 1980, believing he could
improve upon the
work that crossed his bench, he hung his own shingle, and
began building
guitars to a new standard. What would he christen his new
venture? "Well,"
he
says, "my last name is Hoover, so that was out. Then I thought
about King
David and Zion in the scripture. It was a very musical and
creative place.
King David wrote songs there, made instruments there, put
bands of musicians
together, and completely revolutionized the way the nation of
Israel
worshiped and praised God. And God said of him, This is a man
after my own
heart. Quite a legacy to live up to! So if there is something
that Zion
stands for, it is excellence. And I always wanted to make the
most excellent
guitars."
All of Zions instruments are hand-built with great care,
and
incorporate
many design improvements and tighter tolerances over the
standard factory
fare. "The analogy I use," he explains, "is one of comparing
the experience
of eating Thanksgiving dinner at your mothers, versus eating
with 500 other
men at the local Salvation Army mess hall. Same ingredients,
totally
different
experience. One has to do with bulk efficiency, while the
other has to do
with loving attention to the smallest detail."
And those details have been embraced by some of the
worlds finest
guitarists, including Kerry Livgren, Neil Zaza, Bob Hartman,
David Huff, Tom
Hemby, Chris Rodriguez, Jerry McPherson and Phil Keaggy. Says
Ken, "I first
heard Phil when I was 17 years old. He was playing on the
radio on a
syndicated show with a 15-year old named Peter York, who is
now the
President
of Sparrow Records. I remember being amazed that a guy could
sound this
good,
and love God, too! I was an avid fan of Phils long before I
met him. I
spoke
to him briefly at Jesus 74 in Charlotte, NC. It wasn't until
the early 80s
that we showed Phil a guitar that we had built at Zion. It was
the night
that
his father passed away. I remember how gracious he was under
those difficult
circumstances. Later that year (84), we built him a
guitar that white model
that he still uses to this day." And, I might add, the guitar
that is heard
on these tracks. Says Keaggy, "I have had a great respect for
Ken Hoover as
a
master craftsman, but most importantly as a human being, a
brother, and a
friend. I have enjoyed my Zion guitar immensely, and always
find the perfect
moment at which time to use it on recordings and in live
shows."
Just as Ken's guitar-making career was taking flight,
though, his life
took a hard turn when he was diagnosed with MS, a debilitating
disease that
has already taken quite a toll. "It has forced me behind the
computer," he
says, "and for now, off the workbench." It has also slowed him
down,
prevents
him from playing guitar, slurred his speech, and occasionally
forces the use
of a cane when walking. "But I am praying a lot," he adds,
"because
ultimately, I believe our help comes from our Maker. My hope
is in the Lord,
who made heaven and earth and me! In the spiritual sense, I am
acutely aware
of my dependence on Him. We are all dependent on Him; we can
just deceive
ourselves more readily when we are healthy."
After catching Ken and Kelly Hoover's testimony on 100
Huntley Street,
Keaggy was moved to create an album featuring his work on the
Zion electric
guitar. "This collection," Phil says, "is my tribute to a
great man of God
blessed with a gifted dream to create fine guitarsguitars
that have
inspired
many guitarists such as myself to play music unto the Lord.
This collection
is my way of saying thanks to Ken Hoover and his staff at Zion
guitars, and
especially to the Hoover family. Every tune presented here was
played on my
white Zion. And the song, Yet Will I Trust, is a special
dedication to Ken
for his example of faith in God during these earthly trials
while we still
dwell here in the Shadowlands, awaiting that great and
glorious day. Thank
you, Ken!" BY JOHN SCHROETER>>>>>>>>>>From Ken Hoover:There are a few people who have helped me through the
years especially right
now that deserve credit: First, to Phil Keaggy: I feel
privileged to know
you, and am encouraged by your steadfastness through the
years. My faithful
wife, Kelly, who lives out the vow she made, " In sickness and
in health."
My
partner, Jim Gray, who came in the nick of time, and rescued
me from certain
disaster. My current and former employees, whose faithful
labor enabled the
vision to continue: John Mark Hampton, Kirby Wilkins, Rik
Helderman, Kenny
Marshall, Tim Burress, Rob Sharer, Tim Tallent, and Teresa BillingsMyspace Contact Tables , hosting by Imgdump.net
Labloop at imageloop.com http://www.imageloop.com/en/slideshow/25e6a712-f5d...
Some of Moriah wood choices.
