~Biography~

    Here is a brief history of my musical involvement.  In the summer of 1984, I made a firm commitment to my savior Jesus Christ.  I began to pray daily what He would have me do for Him, and to use me how He sees fit.  This is what I believe to be the course of action God has taken in my life as a result, and I am greatly thankful to Him for what He has done and will continue to do:

1986-1988 "Metanoia"
In 1985, I began attending NDSCS (North Dakota State School of Science) in Wahpeton, ND.  It was there I met my dorm roommate Greg Klein, also a Christian.   The next year we decided to form an evangelical outreach band called "Metanoia".  Taken from scripture,
the word metanoia is a Greek word which means repentance or change of mind, or as we took it to mean, change of heart.  Gena Haus, Greg's girlfriend of several years, had written some lyrics along those lines, and I then added music.  The song "Change of Heart" became the theme song for the group, and was also the first musical composition I had written.  Romans 10:9-10 was the scripture theme we used to define this ministry.  The music style was '80's pop-rock.
    

Band line-up was:    Greg Klein - drums and lead vocals                        
                                      Gena Haus - lead and background vocals
                                      Dale Spicer - bass guitar, lead and background vocals
                                      Dave Ehlers - lead guitar, lead and background vocals
                                      Ken Frank - Sound Tech and some background vocals (talented guy!)
                                                         Greg, Ken and I also roomed together our second year of school
                                     Jeff Beske - Replaced Greg on drums in 1988.  Happy day for Greg.
                                     Jen Forster - Keyboards.  Added also in 1988
                                     Dave Row - Replaced Dale Spicer on bass guitar.

 Metanoia  Photos


1988-1992 "The Resistance" 
For reasons I can't recall, Metanoia disbanded.  In the fall of 1988, Greg and I auditioned for
a Christian hard rock band called The Resistance.  Rehearsing in Gena's garage, something clicked, and Greg and I became members.  Again, the band name derived itself from scripture, using James 4:7 as it's theme: "Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you".  We played many cover songs from the popular Christian bands at the time, as well as some original compositions.  Once again, Gena Haus had submitted some very hard-hitting lyrics, and when music was added, an original song "Battlezone" was added to
the repertoire.  In the summer of 1989, Greg and Gena were married.  In August 1990 I married Sarah Melby, whom I had met while attending Word and Faith Fellowship in Moorhead, MN (now known as Faith Hope Love Church).  In September 1991 our first son Nathan was born, and I decided to leave the group.  It was during that time I had become more prolific as a songwriter, and had written many
hard rock songs for the band, as well as acoustic ballads for solo guitar.  


Band line-up was:      Greg Klein - lead vocals
                                        Bob LaMont - drums
                                        Ross Barringer - Replaced Bob LaMont on drums in late 1989
                                        Chad Weekly - Replaced Ross in 1991
                                        Dave Row - Bass guitar, lead and background vocals
                                        Joel Nix - Replaced Dave Row on bass guitar in 1990
                                        Chuck Broxmeyer - Lead guitar
                                        Dave Ehlers - Rhythm guitar, lead and background vocals
                                        Ken Frank - Sound Technician and background vocals
                                        Sherrie Nelson - Light Technician.  Ken Frank and Sherrie were
                                                                        married in the summer of 1992

  Resistance  Photos

1992 "Greater Love": 
This group played mostly original compositions, and some cover songs.  Music style was acoustic folk/rock.  This group  gave me a greater outlet for my songwriting, though it was short-lived.  We all had a great time doing it, as indicated in some of the sound samples you will hear.

Band line-up was:      Dave Ehlers: Lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar
                                        Jered Ortlipp - Lead guitar, lead and background vocals
                                        Dave Honeycutt - Bass guitar
                                        Ross Barringer - drums

  Greater Love  Pics


1993-1995 "Filled Up":  Ken, Greg, and I decided to get together and form a 3-part vocal ensemble.  Again thematic in name,
Filled Up was taken from Ephesians 5:18-19 "... but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...".  In 1994, we recorded the album Send The Rain at Doelly-Jones Music Productions in downtown Fargo.  Shortly thereafter, Greg Klein left the group to pursue music and youth ministry at church, and my wife Sarah joined.  We continued performing until the summer of 1995.

Band line-up was:      Greg Klein - Lead and background vocals
                                        Ken Frank - Lead and background vocals
                                        Sarah Ehlers - background vocals
                                        Dave Ehlers - Lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar
                                        Chuck Broxmeyer - bass guitar
                                        Ross Barringer - drums

Filled  UP Photos


1999-2001 - "AD33" 
Following the same format and musical style as Filled Up,  we decided to re-form the group under a
different name and continue music ministry.  On some of the songs, Ross would fill in on bass.  Shortly after the group's  forming, Ross and his wife Bonnie moved to Kansas City.  Ross was replaced on drums by Justin Jones from Valley City, ND.


No sound recordings available            Band photos here

2002-2003 "Spiritual Graffiti" 
Through drummer Justin Jones, I eventually got involved in what became a 9 piece music ensemble
called Spiritual Graffiti.  Led by multi-instrumentalist and arranger Jay Schaefer, Graffiti consisted of guitar, keyboards, three vocalists, bass guitar, drums, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet.  We played covers of many '60's R&B songs (with slight lyrical changes) and
Jay and I each contributed original music also.  It was lots of fun, and much work.  I decided I needed to leave in March of '03 to spend more time with my family.  Through Jay's home recording studio, we started a self-titled CD album, which was never completed.
There are plans to complete it at a later date.

Band line-up was   Jay Schaefer - keyboards, lead guitar, horn arrangements
                                    Justin Jones - drums
                                    Rod Olderness - bass guitar
                                    Dave Ehlers - lead and background vocals and rhythm guitar
                                    Cassie Bastian - lead and background vocals
                                    Judy Johnson - lead and background vocals
                                    Aaron Romaine - Saxophone
                                    Duane Stanley - Trumpet
                                    Matt Gustafson - Trombone
                                    Damon Peter - Sound Technician

Sound Recordings here                Band photos Graffiti  Photos

2005 "The Presence of God" 
Last year, I completed my first solo album, entitled The Presence of God.  Back in 2003, I started amassing various pieces of recording equipment, and began this project using my small studio setup.  My goal has been to create a semi-professional recording of my music, share it with family and friends, and maybe sell a few along the way.  As you can see, God has had me involved in many forms of music and ministry.  To those who have been involved in any of the endeavors listed here,
I want to say thank you for allowing me to work with you, and to take a part in your lives.   All of you have greatly enriched my life, and I consider myself blessed to have you as friends.

                God Bless,
                    Dave Ehlers    
                    February 2006