Three Guys not Named Jake Smalltown Alberta boys credit God for pop music success. by Annette Wierstra     How do three ordinary guys from Three Hills, Alberta make it all the way to Nashville and sign on with Reunion Records? The three Penner brothers who form the group called Jake say that it is all God’s work, not theirs.     “The way things have been moving, it’s not because of any special, crazy talent that we have, it’s just God deciding to use us and put us in different situations,” says Marty, who with his twin Josh and older brother Toby make up the band. “He’s filling us up with a vision and a reason to be doing this and we’re just going through each door that opens — and they keep opening.”     It all started in Alberta with a chance meeting with the right people at a BoxTree concert in spring 1998, a band Toby was formerly part of. From there, things have moved quickly, with Jake’s first self-titled album hitting the streets in mid-August.     The band’s name comes from one of their greatest influences. “Our dad was named Jake and none of us are — obviously, ” says Marty. It’s a family name that goes back generations.     For long time fans of pop music and especially Michael W. Smith, it’s exciting to be part of the same label as the Christian pop veteran. “I’ve been encouraged as I’ve met these sort of people to find out what they’re like,” says Josh. “Michael W. Smith in particular is a really great guy and he’s really supportive of us and it’s really fun.”     So far the album is being received well. With the popularity of other all male pop bands like InSync and the Backstreet Boys, it’s not surprising that Jake already has a single (“Let Me Know”) sitting on the Top 30 charts of Edmonton’s pop music station Power 92.     The Penner brothers are pleased with the success of their first single because they hoped that their music would reach a wide audience. “We wrote it as an honest representation of where we are at in our lives and our struggles and things we were dealing with and whatever we were thinking about,” says Toby who believes Jake has much to say to young people, whatever their beliefs. “It really was just an honest reflection of where we were in our lives, being three young, single, Canadian, Christian guys.”     But faith in Christ is important for the members of Jake and it comes out naturally in their music. “It’s a big thing that covers all areas of our life and we don’t categorize it,” says Josh. “That’s why we have songs about girls, about life in general, about money, things like that. Our faith effects all of that.”     Part of the band’s vision is to give a positive message to all young people. “We care a lot about the culture that we live in,” says Toby. “We feel if we can affect that in any way that would be a really good thing. We want to have as many people as possible hear our music and messages that promote truth.”     While success in the music business hasn’t been a long time dream for Toby, Marty and Josh, they are appreciative of it. They hope their music will continue to connect to people. But as to how far their music career will go — they’re leaving that in more capable hands.     “Mostly we’re just trusting that God will take us where He wants, says Marty. “We are available for that and we want to work our hardest at it and we think He has plans ... and we’re excited about that.” [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives][Good News] [About Us][Links]