Thursday, May 10, 2007

My Old Band

Once upon a time, I was in a band. Actually I have been in a few bands, but the one which I am centering the blog upon is MAPLE STREET. I was in this band for about 2 years while Rachel and I lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I met the band through our church we were attending. UBC was the place to be, specifically the "college hour." Maple Street was the worship band and I met Bruce Clinton, led worship in his absence one day...next thing I know, he asked me to help out during a summer for a camp they were leading!


That led to multiple D-Now's, retreats, and "special" sundays galore! That led to a full time gig. We bought a 15 passenger van, trailer, PA system and we were big time! We actually recorded an album at Ardent Studios with Dana Key (from Xian band Degarmo & Key (wiki)) producing the album.


I had some really cool times, played some really cool places, got to meet some really cool people, and got a taste of "the road." That actually left a bad taste in my mouth. My wife was at home by herself most of the time and being in a small van with 6 other people for hours at a time wasn't that glamorous!


I met my now boss, Craig Groeschel (wiki) while in Memphis at a singles event that we played for. He challenged me to reconsider my time away from my wife. SO...I did, and the band and I decided it was time to part ways.


The rest, and the details, are history. God used this chapter in my life to shape some core values of mine. Below are some pictures from the band....don't poke fun.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you ever get tired of blog stalkers? You know, those that read but never let you know they are there? I just wanted to say thank you so much for hanging out at lunch and chattin' this week. Your wisdom was much appreciated bro! Have an amazing weekend....
--B (my blog is old and from portugal...I'll just be anynymous for now)

Anonymous said...

Derrick,
My name is Jon Tucker. I used to work for a ministry called Awestar. We did a D-Now up in Wynn, Arkansas in 2000. Maple Street did the worship at that D-Now. I picked up a CD from them (I didn't have any money, so they just gave me one). I lost that CD a few years ago. A few days ago, on my way to Savannah, GA, I heard a song that was covered by Maple Street and was on that Album. It made me wonder whatever happened to them and/or my CD. All I remember about it was that it was an absolutely amazing worship CD with a version of Amazing Grace that would make angels cry. If you have any information at all on how I might go about finding and purchasing another one of those CD's, man, Let ME KNOW! I have been looking on Google for an hour when I found your blog. Holler back at me, my email in jonevantucker@hotmail.com or jetucker@liberty.com

Thanks man, and it was encouraging to find your blog...

Jon

Candice Hair said...

Hey Derrick. I am an old fan from the University of Arkansas. I am interested in singing "Embrace Me" at my church. I have been working on learning the piano music for months and there are still some parts i'm not getting. I am curious if you guys either have some sheet music I could purchase or if the accompnaiment is available. I love Maple Street! Thanks so much for the help!

Melodi M. said...

Derrick,
I attended College Hour while you were a part of maple Street and before. i actually googled maple Street to try and find the CD you all made together because both my husband and I have "lost" ours...loaned them out to never be returned. If you have any advice on how to get one aside from burning a copy (for shame I know), please let me know. Maple Street ROCKED and I just want you all to know the Lord used you all to bless us richly!
Melodi M.

Derrick Henslee said...

Melodi,

Thanks for the encouragement. If you'd like, I can shamelessly burn you a copy as I don't have any originals left. Go ahead and send me your address and I'll get one to you. You can email me at: derrick.henslee@gmail.com

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hey I just randomly found your blog post because I was looking for a way to get a hold of Maple Street's CD Willing. It was so good and I still have the cover...but the CD of course is gone. I googled it and the little information that came up said it was out of print...there has to be a way:) Let me know if there is a at cheerpeaches02@hotmail.com. I would really appreciate it!

larzmarshall said...

Glad to find your blog. I too had the CD and no longer have it, but fortunately had put it on the now-defunct technology called Mini Disc, so hoping to get it off of there somehow. Anyway, what about the girl who sang in your group? Heard a gal recently on Jeff Johnson's CD, and indy artist from Dallas, who actually was on one of the American Idol seasons. Very good CD, btw. Every time I hear a certain song, it sounds dead on like the gal who sang with Maple Street. Just curious. I bought your CD signt unseen from Independent Bands.com a bunch of years back; it was a best seller, so I thought if others liked it I might too. Very good stuff. BTW, big Groeschel fan here - would love to work at your church - I'm an associate, jack of all trades pastor - have read Groeschel, used a few of his videos, and he rocked my world at Catalyst last year. All I got, larzmarshall@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Great band! I'm actually listening to your band on my I-pod right now!! I love it! The first CD of mine got ruined. I wish you all still had some that would be awesome!!!

Rosa said...

I found this blog while searching for Maple Street - the tape I made from "Worship" is falling apart and the CD disappeared ... and amazingly, my stepdaughter and her husband go to Life Church! Now get this for a small world - I worked for 8 1/2 years at OBU-Fayetteville (Baxter Library was in there) - and UBC college restarted in there with about 25 people and Jonathan Beasley. Didn't stay there long, but I remember the day!

Anyway, is there any chance of getting a copy of "Worship" on CD? I'm still in Fayetteville, working at the UA now.

Unknown said...

Hey Derrick! I remember when you guys led worship at our Youth Camp in 2002 at Panama City Beach, FL! There were churches from TX, TN, and OK there. I was interning at a church in Oklahoma and I was telling the youth group how awesome you guys were. My home church was there too. God used you guys that week! My wife and I listen to your CD on our road trips we take. I think you guys used to do Metro or something in Memphis, TN. That's where I first heard of you guys! You guys made a great impact for the college age folks in Memphis!

Unknown said...

I have been trying to find you guys for a long time. We had a couple involved in our youth program that attended a student ministry out in Arkansas where you played. I still listen to your CD and was trying to find out if your songs are on CCLI so we could license them for our own worship.

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Unknown said...

Derrick:
My name is Doug, my wife is Sheri and we also have been looking for a copy of Maple Street Worship, we have the case but not the CD. We used to sneak out of "Big Church" to come listen to you all and Jonathan B. at the College Hour. Do you know where we can buy a copy, as much as i hate to ask even a "burned" copy would be great. My wife would also like to ask who the Female singer was before Chris (aka Rachel) joined the group. I can be reached at dsacuff@gmail.com to work out the details.
Thanks
Doug

Rebecca said...

Hello! Thank God for modern technology! I, like some of the other people who commented, have been conducting an intense Google search to try to get ahold of a Maple Street CD ;) I went through Youth With a Mission (YWAM)'s discipleship training school in Elm Springs in 2000-2001, and attended UBC "college hour" during that time. I was so unbelievably impressed/moved/blessed/energized by the music you guys made. I don't know what the CD is called that I have, but it starts with "Willing". After 10 years of pretty regular use, some of the tracks no longer play :( I would LOVE any info you could pass along on how to get a new copy of this CD and any others...specifically the Amazing Grace version that could make angels cry, according to somebody ;) That, I gotta hear! Thanks again for the music you made which obviously blessed many lives and brought much glory to God!

Rebecca said...

I am pretty sure you can get my email since I signed in through my gmail account, but just in case you can't its mommybex@gmail.com. Also wanted to make sure you know I am of course willing to pay for the CDs if you are able to burn them :) Thanks so much!

Jeremy said...

Derrick,

I was at Super Summer at OBU where Maple Street led worship. It was absolutely amazing. God used you guys in a big way as I was a young youth minister working on ministry and my own relationship with God. I bought one of your cd's and brought it home to my wife who LOVED it. I also remember you guys covered a U2 song with a Jesus video. I wonder if there's any chance you have a copy of that video. We bought one for our youth group, but I'm no longer with that church. If you have one I'd gladly pay you for a copy. God bless you and it's good to see you are still serving the Lord faithfully.

jeremy

jerandsar@sbcglobal.net

Ashley heath said...

My name is Ashley and I'm from Oklahoma. The ban Maple Street came to super summer at OBU in Shawnee, OK. It was my first ever super summer to attend. It was an amazing time and the worship with you guys was very moving. I bought the cd after service one night and I haven't stopped listing to it. I actually wanted to know if the bank has any other CDs? I only have one and it's called Willing I think. I'm actually listing to it now. I can't express how much the cd has helped me in worship and Gerri closer to God. My life hasn't been easy by any means but by staying stein and fighting to stay on the road God led me on I am now married or four years now we have a daughter. This cd of Maple Street has helped us worship at home and it always brings me up if I veer have a down down. So I just want to say thank you so much to you and the Maple Street band for being amazing and praising so other can too. May God bless you, the group, your family an friends.

-Ashley
Please let me know if there is another cd. I'd love to buy it.

Amanda W. said...

Hi Derrick,

My name is Amanda. I attended youth camp in Siloam Springs when I was younger, and Maple Street lead the worship. I LOVED it! Unfortunately like many others, I have lost my cd:-(, and I would really like to know where I can purchase another copy. If you could give me any information I would really appreciate it. My email is apfeif00@g.uafortsmith.edu. Thank you!

Candice Hair said...

I have been watching for a response now for years and I've gotten nothing....is anyone else getting a response?? I'm frustrated!!!

Holly Campbell said...

I was a camp counselor @ Siloam Springs camp in Siloam Springs AR one year that Maple Street was our worship band. I was a Freshman in college and that cd was truly one of my favorites. I believe I loaned it out and never got it back. I sure wish I had a copy. I remember the version of "There's a Stirring"...it still resonates with me today. That was 12 years ago! I thank God for what he did through the band. It was one of the most worshipful experiences of my life. God Bless!!

Holly Campbell said...

Derrick, Please contact me if there is a way I can purchase that worship cd. hollylouya007@yahoo.com
Thank you!!

Derrick Henslee said...

Hey all...I haven't kept up with this blog at all. Sorry. If any of you would still like a copy of "Willing" I can gladly burn you a copy. Just send info to: derrick@lifechurch.tv and I'll get one out to you!

In Him,

Derrick Henslee

Dunk said...

I actually found this blog by accident as well. I have both Worship & Willing if anyone wants it. I recognize at least one, if not two posters here. Haha. I wonder if Bruce or Aaron would remember Dunk from way back! ;-)

Dunk said...

jdunk(at)mac(dotcom)

Unknown said...

Hey man! Remember me?

Unknown said...

So I also went to super summer at OBU in 2003 as a sponsor. I havetons of pictures with you guys. To this day, maple street is the only sticker on my guitarcase. Is there a way to get another CD? I would also love the U2 cover with Jesus Video. I wish someone could put it on youtube. Please help. Thank you!!!
Jamie (Evans) Jones

Unknown said...

I can be reached at jamiebevans23@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I saw Maple Street several times in Memphis, at Bellevue and maybe a couple of the other churches there. I wore out a couple copies of willing. Reason I'm commenting today is my daughter, who is 23 now, was just texting me about the CD/band. I googled it and found the blog. I guess I just wanted to say your music is still reaching into the hearts of people. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hi! Just want to say that you were instrumental (see what I did there?) in my being led to Christ. My college roommates led me to Jesus and played your album all through that semester. The truths I heard slowly sank into my heart. It’s been decades but God just popped this music into my mind this past week and I went on a search. Is there anywhere I can get your music? I know it’s probably been ages! Thank you and praise God for the many ways He used you in so many lives, including mine!