Scarecrow
and Tinmen’s unique style of music has
coined its own avenue of representation,
which is called Technofolk Music. This
musical style has eliminated the age
barrier. On the one hand there is an
acoustical melodic fell, but on the other a
modern techno synthesis edge which brings
delight and bliss to the average young
person.
Scarecrow and Timen have been performing for
some time. Their music encourages those in
the Body of Christ, as well as presents the
Good News of who Jesus is and what He has
done for us to those who have never heard.
This is all made possible because the band
members have received a new heart and a new
mind in Christ.
Bradley DeRosia, married and father of two,
has an uncontrollable passion for musical
manuals. Brad has received the irrevocable
title of dreaded “gear-head”. Brad is the
band’s engineer and producer. He also plays
the electric guitar.
Chris Padgett, married and father of four,
started writing songs at a young age. His
unique background and hunger for literature
has produced in Chris a burning desire to
fully express his love for Christ though the
medium of song writing. Chris plays the
keyboards and is also the band’s lead
vocalist.
Taylor Ard has been playing the bass guitar
for a number of years. His love for the Lord
and youth ministry is wonderful
contributions to the band.
Reid Stains plays the drums with authority.
He is able to express the excellence of
Christ with his unique playing.
One thing that certainly sticks in your
brain about Scarecrow and Tinmen is the
band's name. "The name really does have
depth and meaning," says Chris. "’The
Wizard of Oz' is such a wonderful piece of
Americana; everybody's got some kind of
memory associated with it. Of course, we
identify most closely with the Scarecrow and
the Tinmen, who needed a brain and a heart.
As Christians, God gives us a new mind and a
new heart."
Given their backgrounds, it's not surprising
that Chris and Brad bring widely divergent
musical tastes and styles to Scarecrow and
Tinmen. "I was almost literally born with a
guitar in my hand," recalls Brad. "My dad
has been a musician all his life, playing
country music professionally since he was
16. In the first picture of me as a baby,
I'm holding a little cardboard cutout of a
guitar!" Brad would go on to become an
accomplished saxophonist, while still
retaining his passion for guitar and love of
all things technical.
Through his parents' love of music, Chris
would be exposed to everything from the folk
sounds of early Jesus Music to alternative
and hard-core punk. Although he played
trumpet through high school, Chris says he
always loved the piano. "I didn't have much
formal training, but I enjoyed picking out
melodies and writing instrumental music. It
is really only through God's blessing that I
can turn these thoughts and ideas into
songs."
Chris founded what would become Scarecrow
and Tinmen in 1994. Shortly after,
Brad
joined him. "I was helping Chris to produce
piano and acoustic guitar demos for his
original duo," recalls Brad. "I thought,
‘boy, his melodies and lyrics are great!
Wouldn't it be cool if…’ So I came on the
scene and added all the loops, programming
and electric guitar.”
Thanks to Chris' prowess at booking, it
wasn't long before the band was able to go
full time, though Chris admits, with some
trepidation. "It was overwhelming at times
to think of what we'd done. But I wish
everybody could experience that sense of
total dependence on God--giving up savings,
insurance, What you cling to as
stability-and living on faith." Affirms
Brad, "we were called to this job, and so
were our wives and kids. We do it because
God says 'Go!"' In fact, adds Brad, as tough
as touring gets, it's really the heart of
the ministry of Scarecrow and Tinmen. "I
love hanging out with kids and getting the
chance to make a difference in someone's
life. I want to make sure I'm an influence
that they're going to remember and cherish.
We fall and we fail, but we can point you to
Someone who doesn't."
