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Children of the Light Timeline

Fall 1969 - Recording Project: The Eyes of the World are Lonely

Randy, Dave and Steve join together for the first time to play and record

at Torrance First Baptist Church. Steve came to the Lord during this

time through their witness. They were about 14-15 years old at the time.

Spring 1970 - Children of the Light is formed

The group began to sing all over southern California at various churches,

coffeehouses and schools. They performed over 200 concerts in their

first 3 years together.

Spring 1973 - The Prodigal is first performed

Randy composed the musical, The Prodigal during his senior year of

high school. The group began to play the musical at various venues in

addition to their regular set of songs. They augmented their sound with

Randy on the keyboards and Steve on the pedal steel guitar. On

occasion they were joined by the Miriam dance troupe, which included

Randy's mom and wife (then girlfriend).

1973 - Doug Morgan joins the group for a short season

Doug was a long-time friend of the group and brought drumming skills to

the group which added to the performance of The Prodigal.

1974 - Greg Fraser joins the group

Greg attended Hope Chapel and was roommates with Steve. He added

the new dimension of electric guitars to the group's sound.

March 1974 - Recording of The Prodigal

Though Doug was no longer with the group, he joined in the recording

project which was done with Hayden Jones at Joel Productions in San

Pedro. The group would subsequently record several demo tapes with

Hayden.

January 1976 - Jerry Melrose joins as Ministry Coordinator

Jerry handled concert bookings for Barry McGuire and the 2nd Chapter

of Acts. Through Jerry, the group forged a relationship with Barry

McGuire that brought several new developments to the group's ministry

which included concert tours outside California for the first time, TV

appearances and performances at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

Since the end of '73 the band had struggled with balancing ministry and

employment but with Jerry and Barry's help they endeavored to devote

full time to their ministry.

May 1976 - Bobby Chance joins the group

With the addition of Bobby at drums, the group became a band…and

the sound was now complete.

November 1976 - 1st Northwest Tour

In November of '76 they made their first tour into the great Northwest.

One of the notable places played, which would have a great affect on the

guys, was Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon with Roy Hicks, Jr. The

concert schedule and financial income of the band increased

significantly this year.

April 1977 - 2nd Northwest Tour

In April of '77 the band went on their second tour of the Northwest and

played 15 concerts.

May 1977 - Recording and release of Come On In

With the help of Barry McGuire and friend of Bobby's, Al Perkins,

Sparrow Records agreed to sign The Children of the Light and record

their first album. The album was recorded during May and June of '77

and released shortly afterwards.

July 1977 - 1st National Tour

The group launched a 6-week tour that took them across the U.S. for the

first time. Their concert venues included two major festivals where they

appeared with Barry McGuire and performed before audiences

numbering in the thousands.

April 1978 - 3rd Northwest Tour

The group embarked on their 3rd and final tour of the Northwest in April.

By this time each member of the band was married - most with kids -

and the touring and financial strain began to take a toll.

May 1978 - 2nd National Tour

The group's final tour consisted of a 4-week trek across the country,

starting in San Diego, California and traveling all the way to Augusta,

Maine before beginning the return journey. The final concert of the tour -

though not the group's last concert - was sponsored by their home

church, Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach and held at the Fleetwood

nightclub.

Summer 1978 - The group officially disbands

As the group finished up their final concerts in the summer of '78,

preparations were being made by nearly each member to relocate their

families to pursue the next calling of God. Randy moved to Danville,

California to join with Jim Hayford at his church; Steve moved to Eugene,

Oregon to join with Roy Hicks, Jr.; Dave moved to Orange County to

begin a new business venture; Bobby moved back to Dallas, Texas to

assume a business position; and Greg stayed at Hope Chapel-Hermosa

Beach to help facilitate his wife's music ministry.

November 1980 - 1st Reunion Concert

The band came together again for their first reunion concert at Jim

Hayford's church in Danville, California.

October 1981 - 2nd Reunion Concert

A year later they came together again at the church in Danville where

Randy served on staff. This would be the last time all five of them would

play together, as Greg Fraser experienced deteriorating health

conditions and passed away in the early '90s.

Winter 1999 - 2.5 Reunion Concert

Randy, Dave and Steve joined together to play some songs at the

church Randy pastored in San Jose. Bobby was unable to be there, but

old friend Jerry Melrose showed up unexpectedly.

June 2008 - 3rd Reunion Concert

The group met together in northern California to perform a concert in

honor of long-time friend and pastor, Tom McCarthy. They played at

Randy's church in Vallejo and then later that evening at the Foursquare

Church in Windsor, California. Hayden Jones joined up with the team to

handle sound.

June 2009 - The Children of the Light website is created

Currently a work in progress, the site contains songs and photos of the

group over the years as well as a collection of concert memorabilia.