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Whether it’s leading worship in their home community, the jungles of Brazil, or on a Saturday evening at a music festival, Lake Charles, LA- based Broken Vessels desire only to share the love of Christ with anyone willing to listen. “This band is really an offspring of what that Lord has lead us to be,” Sonny Dardar, former keyboard player and current band manager, states enthusiastically. “We are called to present a gospel message to all. He gave us a vision for mission work, both here and abroad, so that is what we dedicate our lives to.”

Formed in the early days of the new millennium by Sonny and his brother, Tory (lead vocals, guitars), Broken Vessels is a vertical worship band that seeks nothing more than to go where the Lord leads them. Rounded out by drummer, Bill Loftin, and bass player, Jace Verdin, the now threesome go forth, ready, willing, and able. Having born witness to over 10,000 conversions over the last eight years, Broken Vessels believes that people should not simply hear stories of what God has done, but instead see His divine hand move before them.

“The Lord has given us a message to share with the masses,” explains Tory. “Through it, His children are challenged. The lost are converted. The backslidden are convicted. The hurting are comforted.” This is the message of Broken Vessels, that worship is not a style of music or a Sunday past time, it is a way of life – the kind of vessel God desires us to be.

With two independent releases already under their belt, Broken Vessels’ latest album, Unashamed exhibits a diversity that is not often evident in the current music scene. From the Jazz-infused “Land of No Return” to the radio-friendly “Draw Us Near” and “Here is My Life,” to the intimate “Because He Lives” and “Broken Vessel”, the band has brought to life a cohesive album that navigates a broad musical landscape. “We were all pretty much raised on Southern Gospel and Bluegrass music” says Tory, citing the band’s influences. He continues, “Our influences run much deep than that though, from Petra to Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, and Chris Tomlin.”

That same broad musical worldview has landed them a host of high profile gigs alongside today’s top artists. Serving with such artists as singer/songwriters Warren Barfield, Shawn McDonald, and Lenny LeBlanc, contemporary legend Rebecca St. James, The Afters, Southern standards The Saddler Family, Charles Billingsley, and more, the bands seems to inevitably connect with people from all walks of life. In fact, it is their ability to connect with a variety of listeners coupled with their desire to play for an audience of One that landed them the prestigious “Worship Artist of the Year” award earlier this year at Nashville’s Momentum Awards.

There are so many things that could be included here. For example, we might talk about the untold importance of family to each of the members and to their ministry. We might also talk about the band’s non-profit ministry status or the fact that they place no greater importance on playing for 3,000 than they do 300. We may even talk about Sonny and his wife Cassie’s unimaginable loss of one of their twin boys after only 17 days of life. But there’s not room for that here. Not now. With Broken Vessels there is much to talk about. They are real people who have experienced incredible highs and understated lows. They are broken, they are humble, and they want nothing more than to offer the hope of healing to a bruised and broken world.