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Suzanne started taking piano lessons in the 3rd grade, and began singing and writing music in high school. In college, she wrote music and performed with a group of friends in a contemporary Christian band called "Echo." That adventure was short-lived, however; she left the band when she transferred from Southwest Missouri State University to attend the University of Missouri, Columbia (where she graduated in 1987 with a B.S. in Elementary Education). She continued song-writing and her growth both musically and spiritually. Suzanne comments, "The two are sort of linked in my mind, because the songs that come from my pen usually reflect my spiritual state." "When I was 16, I went to hear a concert of a contemporary Christian band called the Cruse Family and there the message of really giving my life totally to Christ finally broke through my heart. I prayed, surrendering every aspect of my life to Jesus, asking him to do with me what he willed." She says changes started happening right away: Her family moved to Missouri (leaving her [ex-]boyfriend behind in Washington state); she began writing music, and she was also diagnosed with a neuro-muscular disease. "Praise God for using anything for His glory! Through my weakness He is strong!" [2 Cor 12:9] After graduating from college, she moved to St. Louis and began teaching first grade. It was there that she met her husband, Rich, in a Sunday School class. They married, had a baby boy, and Rich took a job in Vermont. Following their move east, they found the Panton church. "Vickie invited me to play the piano, taking turns with her from Sunday to Sunday." Later, Keith asked her about forming a worship band for Sundays, and one-by-one God has brought people to the Panton church, adding instruments along the way. Over time, the Panton worship team began getting asked to functions outside the church. But it was Jim's vision of sending a missionary praise group to Wales that really turned the group into a band that could perform as well as lead worship. Suzanne continues, "Besides the band stuff, I'm buzy with my son, John and daughter, Lois; cook; clean; and continue to work on songwriting." She concludes, "I have to say, life with Rich and the kids and Jesus is really awesome!" The band, it must be said, couldn't be anywhere near awesome without Suzanne! Her wonderful voice, masterful piano playing, and inspiring original praise songs (including the band's theme song, Clean Slate) are the heart and soul of the group.
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