The SniderBand will be in concert Sunday, November 30, at 6 p.m. at First Assembly of God to celebrate the release of the group's newest CD, Hello Sunshine. Steve and Robin Snider, both natives of Lincoln County, will be in concert on Sunday, November 30, beginning at 6 p.m. at First Assembly of God to celebrate the release of the SniderBand's newest CD, Hello Sunshine.

Snider currently serves as pastor of the Believer's Fellowship Assembly of God in Conyers. In fact, he and his family pioneered the church, which has "experienced great blessings and growth in its short seven-year existence."

In addition to Rev. Snider and his wife, the SniderBand also features the couple's daughter Leah, who is a talented vocalist and plays the keyboard, and son, Jared, the drummer for the group.

The band has performed at college functions, evangelical rallies, camp meetings, Christian supper clubs, revivals, and crusades. The group recently appeared with international recording artist Dallas Holm.

The SniderBand's new CD is a compilation of 12 songs, nine of which were written by Rev. Snider. "Hello Sunshine is a bluesy, soulful album, with some gospel overtones. It's got a little bit of everything - - country, rock and roll, blues, and certainly, gospel," he explained.

The CD, Snider's sixth, was recorded at 21st Century Sound in Conyers.

Though he has pastored three churches, hosted a bi-weekly TV show, worked as a professional photographer and journalist, and authored a book, one thing that has been a constant in Rev. Snider's life is music. At the age of 12, he was playing in a rock and roll band with the likes of Eddy Turner, Richard Goolsby, Gerald Lawson, Walker Norman, Steven Estes, John Banks, and Jimmy Adkins.

"After my conversion back in 1972, I took my music background and began to write songs and travel with Christian bands. I've always had my own band," said Snider.

To date, he has published 65 of his songs, many of which have been recorded by prominent artists and marketed nationwide.

"I write out of my country, rock and roll, and gospel background," said Rev. Snider. "Music just comes out of my soul. All of my songs have an inspirational message.

"It's all the same message in my music and in my preaching. We're lifting up Jesus, who said, 'If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself (John 12:32).'"

When he is not writing songs or working at the church, Snider serves as the public relations director for the Refuge Pregnancy Center and as the men's ministry director for the Georgia District Assemblies of God. He is also pursuing a master's degree from Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City.

Rev. Snider is the son of Dot Snider of Lincolnton and the late Ralph Snider; whereas, Mrs. Snider is the daughter of Emily Reese Leckie of Martinez and the late Allen Poss.

"Life was great growing up in Lincolnton," said Rev. Snider. "The values that I cherish were instilled in me there in my hometown, where I was surrounded by my family and friends. We look forward to sharing our new CD with the people of Lincolnton at our upcoming concert."

Those unable to attend the concert may purchase the SniderBand's new CD at Crawford and Breazeale Drugstore, Lifeway Christian Bookstore, or online at www.cdbaby.com or www.stevesnider@bellsouth.net. The cost is $15.

(Editor's note: This article was reprinted with the permission of The Newton Citizen.)