“I‘m still smiling........ everyone I talked to on Sunday was still in awe.”

“...the most Godly modern concert - you could see the Holy Spirit emanate from you and LJ, not only in your lyrics, but in your playing and in your countenance.”

“ It was a much needed blessing for me... and many others.”

“ Samuel Smiled is definitely a gospel message that must be shared!”

Three weeks into Junior High School, while doing his usual happy–go–lucky impersonation of himself ambling down the halls, the vocal teacher insisted he join Boys Glee Club. Two weeks later he sang his first solo, singing soprano. This led to a no-stopping-me-now attitude and his own form of theatrics. Eventually Rocco taught himself guitar and formed several folk groups (after all, that was the era.) From the Travelin’ Two to Roc and Donna to the New Freedom Trio; from junior high school to college, and beyond, he has been performing ever since. With many years spent in theatre and over 200 shows to his credit, he has also produced, directed, and taught Theatre, Children’s Theatre, make–up design, communications and marketing courses in several colleges. With a background that includes twenty years in television, his own advertising agency, and several years (and awards) for production and design of a four-county monthly newspaper, Rocco has never let the music stop. After becoming involved with his faith, he gave writing music a try and discovered that he loved it. It was a way to get his feelings onto paper and into the hearts of many, and as such, has become his own heart.

Raised in Minnesota, L.J. Nickisch was strongly influenced by three "North Woods" musicians: the amazing melodic rhythms of Leo Kottke, the power and poetry of Bob Dylan's lyrics, and the intense imagery of Neil Young. Some teased that he just loved bad voices. He learned to play recorder at a young age and transitioned to trombone in grade school, with a little harmonica thrown in on the side. Through college he enjoyed the many styles of jazz and symphonic music that the trombone afforded him as well as the camaraderie of fellow musicians, and he seriously considered a career in music. Then physics got hold of him as he became fascinated by the notion that the regularity and diversity of the world could be described mathematically, and almost before he knew it he was pursuing a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. During college years, L.J. picked up the recorder again and for the first time found himself playing freely and creatively. During his last year of graduate school his wife, Laurie, bought him his first guitar, which soon became his primary instrument. He still plays recorder, harmonica, and has since picked up the hammered dulcimer. L.J. began writing songs at the age of 36 upon becoming a worship leader at his church. He likes to work with rhyme and alliteration in his lyrics, using rhythm to carry one image quickly to another. L.J. believes it is the same creativity that is used by the physicist in bringing forth a theory that is used by the poet-musician in bringing forth a song. "It's the same part of the brain that fuzzes out and explores the possibilities, sifting the good ideas from the bad," he says. L.J. uses his physics to describe the creation. He uses his songwriting to describe his Creator.

Highly acclaimed performers

release original CD

Salinas, CA: After spending a full year in preparation, Rocco Tavani and L.J. Nickisch have teamed up to form a remarkable Christian song duo, SAMUEL SMILED. Tavani and Nickisch met at their church and discovered through playing for services that not only did they have vocal chemistry, their song writing abilities nurtured both.

The music, a combination of praise, worship, and testimony driven songs is uplifting. All told the two present performances that are fun-filled and family oriented. Their ministry has taken them to the East Coast and back.

Their debut CD started out as a demo, a way to achieve more appearances. After what seemed like just a few minutes of recording the engineer stopped and told them, “Hey, you guys just cut eleven songs in two hours, I think you’ve got a CD!” Consequently, they called their friends, the Cornells, to try their hand at laying down some bass and percussion tracks, and “viola” the debut CD from Samuel Smiled.

To hear this lively, thoughtful, and original material, do check out the new CD and watch for announcements regarding appearances; you’ll want to be there. The CD is available at Western Bible Store, 222 Main Street, Salinas, 93901; Corpus Christi Book Store, 47 San Miguel Avenue, Salinas, 93901; and online at Village Records (www.villagerecords.com)

The new breed of contemporary Christian music artists making their way to the mainstream.

Bright new and original songs of praise and testimony done in a breezy

acoustic folk style that should have your toes tapping in no time.

The Word of the Lord shared in a way that can enhance our everyday lives.