What do a local police chief, a dental office receptionist and a water treatment plant superintendent have in common?
When they are John Pemberton, his wife, LeAnn, and Mike Langley, they share a love of music and a desire to spread the word of God through their music ministry. John is Dickson’s police chief, LeAnn works at the Dental Implant Centre and Mike is in charge of the City of Ardmore’s water treatment plant.
John sang his first solo in public at the tender age of 3.
“A group came to sing at our church, and they invited me to sing with them at a revival,” he said. “I sang ‘Peace Like a River.’”
John picked up the guitar at age 10 and by the time he was 12, he was singing and playing lead guitar in his parents’ country band in California. He honed his skills using the “tried and true” method of guitar players everywhere — by playing along with the songs he heard on the radio.
“I’d practice until I’d fall asleep,” he said. “I’d wake up with my guitar next to me and the radio still playing.”
John continued performing with his family’s country band on weekends throughout high school, but at age 18 he decided to devote himself exclusively to gospel music. He wrote his first gospel song, “Almighty King,” a year later, and since then has penned between 30 and 40 tunes. He calls his music “country” gospel.
“I still like country-style music,” he said. “It’s just a different message.”
Within two years, John met and married LeAnn, and the couple began a music ministry in California. LeAnn had grown up singing in church. Her father, who was a pastor, died when she still a toddler.
“My dad was very musical,” she said. “I feel like a part of him is being carried on when I sing.”
The young couple faced a major challenge in 1990 when John was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The prognosis was grim, and the doctors told John even if he survived the surgery, his life would be radically changed.
“They said I might never play the guitar again, would have to learn how to walk all over again and lose part of my memory,” he said.
The operation was a success, but the road to recovery was anything but easy. But the experience strengthened John and LeAnn, and the couple eventually relaunched their music ministry. Many of John’s songs carry the universal message that faith can see us through even the most trying times. “ It’s Not Over (Until God Says So),” which is included on the group’s CD, was written following the surgery.
“If you are going through a difficult time, there is peace on the other side,” he said. “Times may be rough now, but God gives you strength. You don’t have to give up hope.”
The couple eventually moved their family to Oklahoma where they met the third member of their group when they came to Ardmore to sing during a revival. They realized how much they had in common, and they began playing together as Pemberton & Langley.
“Everybody in his family are musicians,” LeAnn said. “Mike knows the words to so many songs, we call him our walking song book.”
The group recorded “The Other Side of Grace” in producer Larry Benson’s Oklahoma City studio. The title song was selected to be included as part of a southern gospel compilation disc which will be sent to radio stations across the country. Radio airplay might get Pemberton & Langley additional bookings, but don’t expect John’s song writing to go through any major transformations.
“You can’t ever have a testimony without going through a test,” he said. “Keep the music simple. Let the message be thing that touches the hearts of people.”
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
steve.biehn@ardmoreite.com
