By John Crowder

City business took up only a fraction of the October 14 Antioch city council meeting, as the effort to recall Mayor Wade Harper continued to move forward. Public comments related to the recall, and the violence in the community and schools that appears to be driving it, dominated the session.

Antioch resident Rich Buongiorno, who has been the main force behind the recall movement, once again aired his dissatisfaction with the mayor during public comments. He began his statement by addressing the mayor directly, telling him, “You sir, have not done anything, for your position and for this city.” He went on to compare the election of the mayor to an investment made by the citizens of Antioch, telling Harper there had been “no return” on this investment. Passing forward a set of papers, he told the mayor, “We the voters, have the last word. Remember that. Mr. Mayor, you are being recalled.”

Buongiorno then served Harper with the Notice of Intention to Circulate Recall Petition, which included more than the necessary valid signatures of registered voters in Antioch. See a copy of the form, here: HarperRecallIntention. The papers were filed with the City Clerk’s office on Thursday, October 16, and the County Elections Office verified the signatures. Now the recall supporters must obtain signatures from 20% of the registered voters in Antioch, as of the last election, which is approximately 8,600 voters, over the next 180 days, to send the recall to the ballot.

At the meeting, however, speakers in support of the mayor outnumbered those looking to oust him, or who brought forward concerns about the violence in and around the schools.

Iris Archuleta said that she would support the mayor and the members of the city council. She said that the naysayers were, “never satisfied, no matter how significant the change, and never will be.”

“It does not help to point fingers and lay blame,” she said, “it never has, and it won’t help now.”

She told the city council and the mayor, “I will do everything I can to support your positive efforts.”

Pastor Kirkland Smith, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Fellowship, said he was speaking as a supporter of Mayor Harper, and referenced others in the audience who were also in support of him. This resulted in loud applause and cheers from the audience, lasting almost half-a-minute, which ceased only when Smith pointed out that he was limited to three minutes in which to speak. He noted that he had two sons who had graduated from Deer Valley High School (DVHS).

“The problems that were at Deer Valley today, were there two and four years ago, the difference was, there was an involved parent,” Smith said. “It seems to me, if there is a problem in our schools, it starts with inactive parents.”

He then continued emphasizing the need for active principals, an active school board, and an active school superintendent. Smith pointed out that the mayor had been active, as he had attended events in the Sycamore area, and more recently been “pitching a tent” at Deer Valley Plaza. Smith concluded by challenging what he termed, “finger pointers,” saying, “If you’re here to cast your stone, I’m leaving some stones right here.” Following his remarks, the room again erupted in cheers and applause.

Most of the other speakers echoed the themes established by Smith.

Velma Wilson, a youth education advisor with the local NAACP, expressed her support for the mayor. She said that she had been with the mayor at Deer Valley Plaza, and that she and Mayor Harper had spoken with “200 plus” students there. Noting that not all of the kids were doing bad, she said, “We need to let these kids know that we stand with them.”

Joseph Adebayo, past president of the NAACP, East County Branch, said that crime has been an issue in Antioch for a long time, but that he wanted to be part of the solution. He said that he believed the mayor was doing a good job, and that, “We are on the very right trajectory.”

Other speakers supporting the mayor included Odessa Lefrancois and Willie Mims, both also of the NAACP, East County Branch, Hiassen Bay, with the Green Jacket organization, Essence Phillips, a summer school principal with the Antioch Unified School District, and more Antioch residents.

Some speakers did bring forward concerns with violent behavior, especially as it relates to local schools. One speaker addressed the problems at Deer Valley Plaza, and expressed frustration with the fights occurring over the past eight weeks, both there and in the schools. She cited the Constitution of the State of California, saying that it provided for the rights of students and staff to attend safe schools.

Gil Murillo said he attended the school board meeting last week, and that he wanted city staff to attend school board meetings as well, as, “students are living in fear.” He continued, “This is about our kids.” “They just want to go to school. They just want to be safe.”

Jeff Belle, a candidate for the Contra Costa County Board of Education said, “I believe that an unsafe community creates unsafe schools, and vice-versa.”

Sandra McKee, who said that she has lived in Antioch for 67 years, expressed her disappointment with the state of the city. She told the council that they could do more, and that it was not the responsibility of teachers, but parents, to raise their kids properly.

She said that maybe parents need to be held accountable for the actions of their children.

Following public comments, Mayor Harper called Scott Bergerhouse, principal of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School (DLMHS) and Lori Cook, also of DLMHS, forward for a presentation of “Good Samaritan” certificates to four DLMHS students. The mayor said that he had created the award, and it was the first time he was giving it out. The two AUSD employees commended the four students for coming to the aid of an elderly woman they had seen fall in the Kaiser parking lot as they walked home from school. The four students, Brandon Rojas, Nnambi Agu, Chinasa Agu, and Ivuoma Umozurike, were honored by the principal, Ms. Cook, the mayor and the city council.

Finally, the agenda item Mayor’s Comments was reached. Mayor Harper spoke for several minutes, answering his critics. He began by mentioning that he teaches two classes for AUSD. “I’ve met some really solid students, that have gone through a lot,” he said.

The mayor went on to detail what he considered the accomplishments of his administration. He talked about the passage of Measure C, a tax measure used for funding public safety, and said that he and his family had worked extensively for its passage. He noted that the measure passed with 70% approval. He also said that he is working for the passage of Measure O.

Harper said that “this council” extended 3% at 50 retirement benefits in order to hire experienced police officers, “despite public criticism,” and, “as a result, we have hired several experienced lateral police officers.” He said, “It has proven to be the right decision that we made, collectively, as a city council.”

With respect to the budget, Harper said, “this council passed a budget to stop deficit spending.”

Harper spoke about his and his colleague’s engagement with the public.

“This city council has attended countless public meetings,” he said.

Regarding the community cafés, he said he had attended almost every one.

“I ran on a platform of zero tolerance for crime,” but, “everyone in this community needs to adopt this mind set,” Harper added. He noted the proliferation of neighborhood watch programs.

Harper said that, while he has a zero tolerance for crime, at the same time he has a lot of tolerance for young people, and that was why he had pitched a tent at Deer Valley Plaza, and had spent time meeting the students who pass through there after school. He also spoke about the meetings regarding the Deer Valley Plaza incidents that he had attended which included the police chief, superintendent of schools, the Deer Valley Plaza landlords, and representatives of the AUSD school board, district attorney’s office, and probation department. He advocated for the removal of the smoke shop there, and said that parents who bring their students to the Plaza to fight, need to be held accountable. He said it was a “small handful of kids” who cause problems.

Harper spoke about his accessibility and the transparency of city and council decisions. He called city manager Steve Duran, “the most transparent manager the city has ever had.” Harper said that, as mayor, he was willing to meet with all constituents, even those that have, “held up the recall papers,” if they have solutions.

Harper challenged the media to not just report the bad things happening in town, but also the good things.

Harper concluded, “I’m not a person that’s constantly pushing myself forward, or tooting my own horn, that’s not usually me. I’m a modest person. But I see that I have to start a campaign to pretty much let people know, these are some of the things I’m doing.” He then emphasized the teamwork that has felt was a hallmark of this city council.

Following Mayor Harper’s comments, the rest of the meeting moved quickly to adjournment.

The next meeting of the city council will take place on Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Editor:

These were comments given to the Antioch School Board at their October 8th meeting.

Hi, my name is Angie Jorgenson. I am the parent of a Deer Valley Junior and a Dallas Ranch 8th grader, the Deer Valley Band Booster Vice President, I help with the Deer Valley Girls Golf team, and am on campus weekly as a volunteer with Younglife, an international organization that works with kids. I am here in support of Deer Valley in light of recent events in the media and on campus.

I don’t want to try to discount anything that has been said tonight. There are valid concerns that have been brought up that need to be addressed. However, it has been my experience that many issues often stem from the fact that when something doesn’t happen according to a person’s idea of how it should be or should’ve been handled, they let their anger get the best of them. Sometimes it’s ok to get angry, but we need to move past the anger to solve issues at their root, instead of vilifying one person or falling prey to a knee jerk reaction caused by anger. We need to actively listen when something is said. We need to realize communication breakdowns and strive to communicate better. We need to own our mistakes and make corrections. We need to work to be true peacemakers in our school community, not just peacekeepers. We need to stop placing blame and start presenting solutions.

Deer Valley is a good school. I could spend a half hour telling you about all the high achievers, programs, clubs, sports, music, and high academics that exist at Deer Valley but I hope you already know about those things.

There are a very small number of kids, I believe about 50, which is only about two percent of the entire student body that are a problem for this campus. Unfortunately, so much attention is being given to this problem group that the general consensus of public opinion is that this is a terrible school with an ineffective administration and out of control kids where nothing good could possibly happen. I am here to tell you the opposite is true.

When you think of an out of control situation, what comes to mind? Syria, the Ebola crisis, a prison on the verge of lockdown, riots, chaos? I can tell you that at Deer Valley we are very far from the examples I just cited. I believe the pervasive negativity by the community and the media is taking a toll on our kids and teachers. The more you hear something the more you start to believe it. I am around quite a bit and have not seen anything that comes close to an out of control campus. I invite you to come hang out with me at lunch on campus if you don’t believe me.

Fighting is not acceptable, but I personally have seen fights on campus dealt with quickly by the administration. My child is good at communicating with me, as a Junior she has been privy to maybe three or four classroom disruptions (including fights), physical or verbal, total in all her classrooms over the course of the last 2 ½ years. That’s 20 classes and 400 school days with minimal disruption. Most of the kids I have talked to think Deer Valley is a good school. They’ll tell you about kids in their class that make it hard to pay attention or cause problems, but none of them are refusing to go to class because they feel unsafe. If you walk around campus when class is in session there is hardly anyone out and around. There is a security option in place that allows teachers to call for help when needed, and a number to dial if it is an emergency situation. The kids do not run the school, not even close, however the hands of the administration and staff have been tied due to past situations and lawsuits that have severely restricted what they are able to do to enforce discipline and order. We need to realize and admit that we have become hog tied by what is politically correct and by what the media portrays. We are so concerned we might get sued or portrayed as intolerant that we are unwilling to stand up for what’s right. We need to speak truth, we need to draw a line in the sand and call unacceptable behavior exactly that, we need to hold people accountable for their actions and there needs to be real consequences for those actions. This goes for kids as well as adults.

I will not deny there are problems. There are still fights, and we do have paid security guards on campus to help keep our kids safe. I’m sure the typical high school issues of sex, drugs, and alcohol are there. This is high school. There will always be problems as there will never be a perfect school. To my knowledge there never has been, mine definitely wasn’t. School is a place where you get an education, not just from books, but also from life experience. There are always things we can do better. Teachers and kids need to feel safe and supported. As hard as it is to accept, we won’t be able to reach every kid, and it won’t always be the greatest environment, but we can reinforce the positive instead of focusing so much on the negative and buying into half truths and generalizations. One, two, or even 10 out of control kids doesn’t not mean the entire campus of over 2,500 is out of control and unmanageable. My experience with this administration has been positive. I believe they are trying to do their best for the school. They have shown themselves willing to communicate as well as own mistakes when they occur. They have control of this campus as a whole, and are working hard to keep it that way. We need to trust them and support them so they can do their job.

We can’t stop every negative thing from happening, and sometimes those things happen just because of people interacting. Pitting people against each other never solves anything; it just sets the stage for a toxic environment. We all need to work together to keep things from being blown out of proportion. Deer Valley is it’s own community with many good teachers and parents involved in it that deserve our support. In the coming days I hope we can reverse some of the negative out there with some positive.

I would ask the school board to take a hard line with the media. I for one am tired of seeing positive interviews cut out or dismissed. If they can’t portray both sides, or are unwilling to report on positive occurrences as well as the negative, then don’t give them access to our schools. I also ask the board to look for viable solutions, not just those that are politically acceptable.

Make the hard choices that will affect real change.

Angie Jorgenson

Antioch

By John Crowder

Dozens of people attended the October 8th meeting of the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) Board, packing the small meeting room and lining the hallway leading to it. Several of those in attendance were there to speak out against what they described as unruly and violent behavior by students in schools throughout the district. Parents, students, and teachers all expressed their dismay over the situation.

Even so, some at the meeting defended the schools, blaming the media for focusing on the problem behavior exhibited by a minority of students and telling the protesters they should be providing solutions instead of just complaining.

The most poignant pleas came from the children, who led off the public comments. They spoke about being scared to go to school. One young girl, a student at Dallas Ranch Middle School (DRMS), spoke about a friend of hers, who she said, “had a knife waved in her face,” and her hair cut off by another student. “She dropped out,” said the speaker.

Kathryn O’Shea, a sophomore at Deer Valley High School, said she was, “tired of classmates disrupting our classes.” She said that, on average, 30 minutes of each class is lost due to disruptive behavior.

“We can’t learn anything,” she concluded.

Parents attending the meeting expressed grave concern with the amount of violent and disruptive behavior by students taking place in the classroom, on campuses, and in the surrounding community.

Lara Lindeman said she was speaking because, “my daughter is not safe at Dallas Ranch Middle School.” She listed a host of examples. They included two teachers leaving the school after being threatened and assaulted by a student, a student threatening to “return and shoot” a teacher, and a boy trying to kick down the door to gain entry to a classroom while students inside were, “helpless,” and “repeated calls for security were unanswered” during the incident. She went on to say, “Restorative justice practices are being implemented, but we’re told it will take several years before we can expect measurable results. What about in the meantime? What about in the NOW?”

Gil Murillo, a parent with children at Deer Valley High School (DVHS), began by taking issue with a statement he attributed to a current board member that, “the campuses we have are just fine,” with respect to student safety. He went on to demand the resignation of the DVHS principal, Ken Gardner, saying his leadership at the school had failed. Murillo said that students were, “running out of control,” and cited gambling, drug use on the campus, and violations of the dress code as just some of the problems evident. “As a parent, I am tired of poor management,” he said. He continued, “It is time for change, immediate change!”

Frank DeLuna, Vice President of the PTSO at Black Diamond Middle School (BDMS) and a long-time volunteer, noted several problems on that campus. He talked of students smearing feces in the boys’ bathroom, smoking pot, using profanity, cursing out adults, and committing acts of violence. “Just last month we had an incident where some relatives of a student came on campus,” he said. “They went to a P.E. class and had their kid beat up another kid while they watched and kept anyone from helping. The student who got beat up was taken away in an ambulance. The P.E. teacher who tried to stop it was also injured.” DeLuna summarized the concerns of many in attendance, when he said, “Stop worrying about the rights of the bad kids, and start worrying about the rights of the good kids who want to learn, but can’t.” This statement was greeted by loud applause from the audience.

Ellen Marie Sun, Vice President of the PTO at Jack London Elementary School said she was there because she was, “upset about the increasing violence in our schools which often spills over to the rest of the community.” She related an incident she said she “personally” knew of at DVHS, in which a girl student was walking to the bathroom and, “a stranger grabbed her and tried to carry her away.” Saying that the administration had downplayed the incident, she asked, “Do we need someone to really finish the deed – a sexual assault, an attempted kidnapping, or to find a girl murdered in the bathroom to finally have AUSD and Principal Gardner say, ‘Hey, something needs to be done-enough is enough?’” She also spoke about the BDMS fight that was brought up by DeLuna.

Jamie Clee said that she was a parent with children in the second, fourth, and sixth grades. “I am here tonight to address my concerns with the violence and lack of classroom learning from disruptive students,” she said. “Why do I feel as if I am dropping my children off at juvenile halls?” In a written statement detailing her comments, she states, “The parents in this community are talking about a STRIKE!! We are ready to stop sending our kids into schools in which they feel scared, unprotected and are always looking over their shoulders.”

Although most speakers at the meeting expressed dismay with how the schools are being managed, AUSD did have supporters speaking up as well.

Angie Jorgenson, Deer Valley Band Booster Vice President, said she had children attending both DVHS and DRMS. “I am here in support of Deer Valley in light of recent events in the media and on campus,” she said.

Jorgenson said she did not want to, “discount anything that has been said tonight,” and said other speakers had expressed, “valid concerns,” but that some had, “let their anger get the best of them.” She called for better communication, and said, “We need to stop placing blame and start presenting solutions.” She called DVHS, “a good school.” She also indicated that the attention being given to the “problem group” was causing a false impression. “I believe the pervasive negativity by the community and the media is taking a toll on our kids and teachers.”

Velma Wilson, a youth education advisor with the local NAACP, said that she had been to Deer Valley Plaza with Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, and had spoken with some of the students there. She said that, “some of [the misbehavior] is because of a bad home life.” She went on to say, “Kids want to keep it up because of the media,” arguing that media reports about students acting out actually encourage that type of behavior.

Following Wilson’s statement, board member Claire Smith indicated her agreement. “I went and I helped at school,” she said. The problem is not with every child. It’s with a small group of children.” Referring to the reference made by Wilson to some of the children having a bad home life, she said, “You absolutely do grasp the situation. It’s a community working together issue. It starts with supporting these kids, and telling them they’re good kids.”

Other speakers challenged those in attendance to spend less time complaining, and more time at school helping out.

At one point, board president Joy Motts called on Bob Sanchez, Director, Student Support Services with AUSD, to comment. “The city has changed,” he said. “We are trying to do the best we can.” He went on to talk about having a “discipline matrix.” He also referenced an agreement he said the district has with the American Civil Liberty Union regarding suspensions and expulsions.

In the end, concerns with violence, both on and off school campuses, appear to be coming to a head, given the talk of a strike and the fact that different groups of disaffected parents seem to be coalescing. The issue has been a major point of discussion among candidates for school board, and will certainly remain a focus leading up to the November 4 election and beyond.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, at the AUSD office at 510 G Street. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

By Allen Payton

Candidates who won’t debate their opponents during campaigns show arrogance and disdain to the voters they’re wanting to represent.

Usually it’s the candidate who is leading in the race, and usually it’s the incumbent or officeholder running for higher office against a less well-known candidate who is challenging them.

The other word that comes to mind is chicken. Those who won’t debate are afraid of either something about them or their record being shared by their opponent that they can’t defend, or questions from the media they don’t want to have to answer. Ultimately they’re afraid of losing votes.

Two current examples are Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, and more locally, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier.

Newsom, in his bid for re-election, faces former California Republican State Party Chairman Ron Nehring in the November election. The former Mayor of San Francisco refuses to face Nehring to debate the issues and his record as Lt. Governor.

DeSaulnier, running for Congress against retired Federal Immigration Judge Tue Phan, wouldn’t appear at a Walnut Creek Sunrise Rotary Club debate, scheduled for yesterday (Tuesday, October 14).

I view campaigns as the time the public gets to decide whether to hire a new office seeker, renew the contract for an incumbent running for reelection, or give a promotion to a candidate running for higher office.

The election is the interview and job performance review process. We the people, as their employers, have a right to know what all candidates believe, hear all candidates share their positions on the issues and defend their records. All candidates have that responsibility.

Those who won’t debate their opponents fail their performance review and don’t deserve to be hired, have their contract renewed or promoted.

While it may be a clever campaign tactic, it’s just wrong and disrespectful to the voters.

It’s time Newsom and DeSaulnier show some respect to their bosses – those of us whom they want to continue serving – and debate their opponents.

 

By Barbara Zivica

The following eight candidates are competing to fill two open seats on the Antioch City Council. Here’s my perspective on the candidates.

Steven Bado: Research turns up little info. States his age as 40 and occupation as sales manager. He failed to attend the recent debate or respond to a press request for comment. I’ve crossed him off my list.

Karl Dietzel: Retired commercial sales rep. Have corresponded with him since Measure C hit the ballot box in 2012. An involved knowledgeable citizen. Wants the city to hire a full time economic development director and rehire community service and code enforcement officers who can perform jobs the cops have had to assume in their absence. Good candidate.

Diane Gibson Gray: Former telecommunications executive, Antioch Unified School District trustee (seated in 2008, term ends in 2016). None of the current school board members warrant my vote for a variety of reasons e.g. 2 bond measures, desire to levy a special tax for fiscal 2014-15, opposition to Dozier Libbey as a independent charter school and, after the district received nearly $9.4 million this year in supplemental funds due to more than 55% of students being low income, English learners or foster youth, board members then ratified salary and health benefit adjustments, increasing compensation for members of all three labor groups by about $3.5 million.

Jeffrey Hall Cottreil: States his occupation as campus security for AUSD. Due to the fact he, too did not show up for the debate forum or reply to a press request, I’ve crossed him off my list.

Lori Ogorchock: Realtor with a varied background in business and community service. Unable to attend the candidate forum due to a previously booked and paid for real estate conference in Texas but sent a surrogate who spoke on her behalf. Has good ideas on economic growth and responsible spending. Former Walnut Creek Reserve Police Officer who states community safety as first priority. Good candidate.

Anthony Segovia: Age 27. States he’s a financial analyst and a small business owner. I ran his name with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and didn’t come up with a hit. Recent press article states he’s currently on probation for two charges of insurance fraud and a grand theft. Doesn’t meet my standards for holding office.

Lamar Thorpe: Supported by the Contra Costa Labor Council and the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council. Said his major accomplishment in Antioch was running Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s campaign. I found his campaign flyer stating he was born in prison, etc. a big turnoff. Now he’s denying a sexual abuse charge which occurred when he was in college. Due to lack of testimony from the victim he was only found in violation of disorderly conduct for lewd and indecent behavior, according to a Findings of Fact report. Not a good candidate.

Tony Tiscareno: former steelworker, political director for the Contra Costa Labor Council and appointed city council incumbent. When then-Councilman Wade Harper became mayor in 2012, that left his council seat vacant. The council then decided to appoint an applicant to fill the remaining two years of Harper‘s term. Nine people applied, including former Mayors Jim Davis and Don Freitas, and former Mayor Pro Tem Manny Soliz, Jr. On a 3-1 vote (Gary Agopian dissenting) the council chose Tony Tiscareno. He’s done nothing on the council to warrant my vote.

By Lieutenant Don LaDue, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, October 10, 2014 at 9:00 p.m., Antioch Police Dispatch received a report of a male who had armed himself with a handgun in his home, in the Alvarado Drive/Silverado Drive neighborhood, and was threatening to shoot everyone inside. He reportedly owned several other firearms.

Officers arrived within four minutes of APD receiving the call and quickly set up a safety perimeter around the house and established communications with the male. After officers spoke with the man by phone for several minutes, he agreed to come outside, unarmed, and speak with officers. He was detained without injury to himself or anyone else inside. Officers learned he was upset due to several ongoing medical issues.

The male, whose name was not provided by police, was arrested, medically cleared at a local area hospital, and booked into County Jail for domestic violence and assault charges.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Dept. at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Lieutenant Tony Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, October 6, 2014 at approximately 6:20 PM, Antioch Police Department Detectives arrested Gary Lee Childress, a 23-year-old, for the embezzlement of up to $1,000,000 worth of various medical equipment and supplies from the Sutter Delta Memorial Hospital in Antioch where he had been employed since 2011 as Environmental Services worker. He was apprehended without incident in the parking lot of the hospital as he was reporting for work.

Detectives later served a search warrant, and evidence of this extensive theft was located in his vehicle and at his Rio Vista home. Childress had been stealing the hospital property and selling it on EBay for several months. Some of these items had been shipped all over the country to unknowing buyers. Proceeds from this crime were also located and seized pursuant to a warrant. Childress has been cooperative with the investigation thus far, and some of the stolen property has been recovered.

No further details of this investigation will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Krenz with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6866. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Allen Payton

Featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a debut artist, gathering “New Artist of the Year” and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” awards, and having the top-selling debut release from 2012 in its genre, for King & Country is currently on its next season with a new album – that’s hit #2 on the iTunes charts in America – and a major market, 40-city fall tour. Comprised of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, the duo continues on their “YOU MATTER – THE TOUR” Friday, October 10 at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, in support of their sophomore release, RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG.

They’re hitting significant venues in cities like Los Angeles (Chino and Riverside, CA), Washington, D.C. (Woodbridge, VA), Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, San Diego, Las Vegas, Austin, Albuquerque and more before wrapping up in New York City on Nov. 23.

Being sponsored by Compassion International, during their tour for KING & COUNTRY are planning a full night of live music, with no opening band, and will play their current hit single “Fix My Eyes” and more new music, as well as fan favorites like “The Proof Of Your Love” from their critically acclaimed debut album, Crave.

“While Crave was a great foundational piece, particularly if you have seen us live, you will see this springboard into a new and more developed version of what for KING & COUNTRY is with the rhythm and all of these different components,” says Joel, reflecting on the new album. “One of the things that is really exciting with the album overall is that we have about 300-plus shows under our belts at this point with a group of guys that have become like brothers. We have made these discoveries along the way—our love for rhythm, our excitement for theatrics. These sorts of things have naturally found themselves inside the new record.”

In an exclusive interview with the Herald, older brother Joel gave some insights into the band.

A Christian pop group, for King & Country derives their name from an old English battle cry. The brothers are originally from Australia, which is part of the commonwealth of Great Britain, thus the English connection.

They grew up and are based in Nashville, where their father worked as a promoter in the music industry. He is now their manager. Their older sister is Rebecca St. James, also a Christian recording artist, and speaker.

Launching their own musical career in 2007, they’re a “10-year overnight success,” Joel said with a laugh.

When asked about their style of music, Joel offered, “Absolutely the spiritual side, we write music for God and people.”

“We are Jesus followers,” he added. “Absolutely Jesus and hope are central themes of for King & Country. But, we want the music to be heard.”

“Jesus’ benediction on earth was to go out and make disciples and that’s what we take very seriously with our music. Whatever your faith, even Muslim, our desire is that you will be able to find the humanity and honesty in the music and that you will be able to be inspired by it.”

Much has happened in their lives the past few years, since release of their first album, in 2012.

Younger brother Luke and his wife Courtney had a baby. Now, they’re pregnant with second child. Courtney’s with them on this tour, Joel mentioned.

Last year Joel married Moriah Peters, who hails from southern California and is also a Christian recording artist.

They’re both on tour, right now, which takes some coordination in order to spend time together. Moriah performed in New York on Sept. 18 and the band performed the next night, in Pennsylvania.

They just purchased a motorhome which will serve as their home on the road.

“We’ll do three or four shows a week,” Joel stated. “We try to knock out a tour over a two month period. Nashville was sold out.”

Both brothers sing. Luke is the drummer, because “he’s much more proficient, rhythmically,” he said. He also plays the glockenspiel and harmonium.

“I play a little piano but really focus on singing,” Joel added. “We have five band of brothers. I leave it to them to handle the instruments.”

With soaring melodies, driving rhythms and powerful, personal themes of RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG., for KING & COUNTRY has created an album that lives up to the band’s name, a reflection of standing and fighting for something bigger than yourself, a mission statement that drove the duo from the first words written for this project until the last note was recorded.

“RUN WILD. LIFE FREE. LOVE STRONG. is a statement of reclaiming our birthright as humans to live a life that is for others–a life that is others-focused, God-focused—and in that find what it truly means to run wild, live free and love strong,” says Joel.

The first single from RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG., “Fix My Eyes,” has remained in the Top 5 on iTunes Christian/Gospel singles chart since its release May 1. In addition, Nielson BDS reports that the single had the most stations supporting first-week at Christian AC/CHR radio than any song since 2009, including 100% of the Christian CHR panel. With 98 reporting stations currently spinning “Fix My Eyes,” the song hits No. 10 on the National Christian Audience National Airplay Billboard chart and continues to climb. The song also jumps to No. 3 at Christian CHR while hitting No. 11 on the AC Indicator chart. Fans can get an inside look at the inspiration behind the song “Fix My Eyes” and their exciting live show in this new video: http://smarturl.it/fixdoc.

More about for King & Country

The duo was named “New Artist of the Year” at the 44th Annual Dove Awards and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards. Their critically acclaimed debut album, Crave, released in 2012, is the highest selling debut from a new artist in their genre that year. They made their late night debut performing their hit song “The Proof Of Your Love” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the song was named iTunes’ Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Song of the Year. ET’s “The Insider” said for KING & COUNTRY “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.” In 2012, they were named one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist.

For more information and a complete listing of tour dates, please visit: www.forKINGandCOUNTRY.com, www.facebook.com/forkingandcountry and https://twitter.com/4kingandcountry.