The members of White Stone came together with a background of rhythm & blues, southern rock, and Christian contemporary music. They have been together since 2001, and many trials & testings in between. Their sound is mainly Christian Rock, but with lead guitarist Don Yoakum added, their sound became more diversified & more Christian rock, with heavy Christian R & B. They even invented what they call "BlueGRASSple. (Bluegrass + Gospel). Guitarist/vocalist James Banfield added a softer Christian praise & worship sound on the slower songs. White Stone can go from standard Praise & Worship to Christian Rock, as the Spirit dictates in each service.
INFLUENCES:
JAMES BANFIELD-singer/songwriter/composer was influenced by Kenny G, the saxophone player. James' music has alot of saxophone and wind instruments, as well as a more classical flavor. James brings in the presence of the Lord with his classical Praise & Worship. This boy can "Bring down the Praise!"
MARTY CLAYTON BANFIELD-singer/songwriter/composer. Marty's music has influences from rhythm & blues, country rock, hillbilly rock, and black spiritual music. Marty's original songs trace her spiritual journey in the Lord and many are Prophetic Songs.
BJ MARCHAND-musical influences are rhythm & blues, rock, country and classical music. Their music comes together, even with all the diversified musical influences, as a sound that is all their own-the sound of White Stone-the band! BJ does double duty as the bass player and audio engineer for In Faith Studios.
Sounds Like
Our music sounds like US, and that is how we describe it. We have our own original sound, which the Lord has given to us. We sound like WHITE STONE.
White Stone~the band, of Bamberg, SC, was first founded by female group member Marty Clayton Banfield in 2001. At first they were a 3 piece Christian band, with Marty on drums, BJ on bass, and Don Yoakum on lead & rhythm guitar. In 2005, member James Banfield was added to the group, with lead vocals, harmony and rhythm guitar. James' vocals highly enhanced the sound of the original three members.
Marty Clayton Banfield, from Bamberg, SC, is a former Nashville Recording Artist, and plays keyboard and sings lead female & harmony vocals for the group. In addition, she is one of the group's songwrite, along with husband James Banfield. Marty has lived & performed in Nashville, TN, and Los Angeles, Calif. while pursuing a career in music. Marty owns her own Independent Record Label, "Only Believe Publications" which publishes and releases "White Stone's" original material. Marty is also the publisher of an online/hardcopy Christian Magazine called "The Light of the Lowcountry Magazine" (www.thelightofthelowcountry.com) & Marty is part-owner of "IN FAITH STUDIOS" of Bamberg, SC (www.infaithstudios.com)
James Banfield, who relocated from Santa Rosa, Calif., to SC, released his first Gospel/Christian CD in 2005, called "Heart of a Prophet." James is on rhythm guitar, keyboard, and lead male vocals as well as harmony vocals. James is a talented singer, songwriter, arranger and producer. He has performed in many places across the USA, including Las Vegas, where he played for 22 weeks in a row, and he has been playing professionally since he was in his teens. James is also part-owner of In Faith Studios.
BJ Marchand, multi-talented bass player for the group, has been playing professionally in many different bands since he was a teenager in Louisiana. BJ also sing's harmony for White Stone. He is also audio engineer for our own "In Faith Studios." BJ is also part owner of "In Faith Studios" of Bamberg, SC.
Don Yoakum-a phenomenally talented lead & rhythm guitar player, is the groups lead guitar player & studio guitar player. Don can play almost any style of guitar you name, from Chet Atkins to Jimi Hendrix. A true studio musician, and a gifted by God guitar player. Don has played professionally in different bands since he was in high school. Don also sings harmony vocals.
White Stone practices the songs until they feel the anointing of the Lord-goosebumps all over. That is how they know that they have gotten the song right before the Lord. The lyrics are provided so be sure to click on them. For more info go to www.infaithstudios.com.
Marty received the vision for the group from the Lord, and the group is based on the scriptures in Revelation 2:17. Those who receive a white stone are those who will overcome the ways of the world, and will be those true worshippers and followers of Jesus Christ, the Lamb.
This site was created and is maintained by Marty Clayton Banfield.
Thanks so much for being our friend! If you are in Boise, Idaho on May 8, that will be our cd release, and if you are in Santa Fe, NM, we will be playing on July 25th!
THANK YOU FOR ADDING ME TO YOUR MYSPACE. I AM BLESSED TO LISTEN TO THE AWESOME MUSIC THE LORD GIVES YOU. 'WHITESTONE' IS PROPHETIC. GOD BLESS YOU AND JAMES
VICKIE
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