Christian bands offered shot at big-time
 Christian bands looking for a big break will be playing at a Norfolk gig in April in a bid to get a slot at the Ultimate Event Christian music festival at Alton Towers next year thanks to local record company director Mike Deal.
Mike, from Norwich-based record label Broeknrule, is host of the Ultimate Event, the largest one-day Christian music festival in UK next May, featuring Delirious and USA acts such as Toby Mac (ex DCTalk) and Ayiesha Woods.
He is the man behind the Ultimate Showcase, a national battle of the bands for Christian artists, the final of which will be shown on Sky TV, and the winner will play at the Alton Towers event.
Mike, whose company look after Christian and secular bands, is organizing one of the semi-finals in Norwich in April and is looking for bands to enter the competition. Bands can sign up now on www.musicfinity.com and the competition will go live in a few weeks time
 Broeknrule was formed by Mike after many years spent putting on youth music events for churches around the country. “During this time I felt God put the vision in my heart for Broeknrule,” said Mike. “It is a record company with a difference, a record company that will not follow the strategies of this world but will be honest, will treat artists in a way that is honourable and above all, will help Christian acts get to the same heights as mainstream bands.
“This ambition which artists on the label share, is a huge one, with the ultimate ambition being to get into the UK charts where they hope they can replace messages of sex, violence and drugs with positive messages that can influence people toward God,” said Mike.
“Through many of the events we have done around the country, we have seen how music can affect lives and allow them to meet with God. Our bands have visited churches, youth groups, schools, pubs and clubs and one thing always remains the same, the atmosphere. At time, in pubs, we have seen places with a dark and cold atmosphere transformed as the band comes on and starts playing. The look on people’s faces has changed as they hear the words that are filled with a positive message.”
At the moment, Broeknrule Records is home to three Christian bands, Mowglee, Glo and Momo:Timo as well as Channel 4 Rock School band UpRaw from Lowestoft and Norwich punk rockers Crone. All are regularly playing around the country and are building good fan-bases but to get into the charts in another step entirely. The label wants to raise over £250,000 in investment over the next year to make sure the bands can get the lift that they need.
Mike, who is originally from Lowestoft, returned to Norwich last year and is involved with the new Gateway Vineyard church
Mike is keen to speak to any local church leaders who might be interested in his vision. You can contact him on 07830 119190 or at mike@broeknrule.com
Pictured above is last year's Ultimate Event at Alton Towers and Norwich-based Mike Deal.
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