Christian band Flee is still spreading its message

• The Christian band Flee is hoping to spread message its by going on tour.
• The band has performed all over the state.
• For more on the group, go to Facebook.com/Fleeband or call 740-641-6856.

NEWARK – Dillon Dawson and his bandmates don’t play music for the fame or the money.

“When we are up on stage connecting with God, playing our instruments, and we see people out in the audience doing the same thing, that’s success to us,” he said. “It fills our hearts with joy to see that happen.”

It’s been two years since Dawson, Zach Hone, Seth McMahan, Kenan Angus, Adelina Angus, Alex Loughman, Bethany Holt and Eli Gallinger recorded their first CD as the Christian band Flee.

Since then, they’ve toured all over the state and recently recorded a second album “Fade Away.” One of their songs, also called “Fade Away” has climbed to the top of the charts on Righteous Rock Radio.

Although Holt left the group to start college, the remaining young musicians have big plans for their future. But they aren’t taking their sights off their main goal, Gallinger said.

“We want to spread the word of God and take it to as many people as we can,” he said.

The group got its start about nine years ago when Dawson, Hone and McMahan played together for a church talent show.

Originally starting out as the Knights of Heaven in 2006, the band changed its name to Golgotha when more people joined.

But after several years of playing together, that group split up. In 2013, the three original members felt God was telling them to get back together.

Since then, the group has received lots of support, said Dillon’s father Terry Dawson.

“There are lots of people who are excited about them, they believe in them,” he said.

Hone and Gallinger worked with the rest of the band members to write the songs on their second CD.

“This one has a lot of details worked into it,” Gallinger said. “I’m really proud.”

The band worked on the CD at the end of December, then began working with Jeremiah Wagner of Groundwork Entertainment in Marion.

Between Terry and Wagner’s efforts, the band has booked shows around Ohio and has been invited to perform in other states.

Terry said he recently got a call inviting the band to travel to Nashville, which could lead to a larger tour.

Their biggest challenge is transportation, Terry said. Right now they rely on a borrowed trailer, and help from family members to get to concerts.

“That really slows us down,” he said.

They are hoping they’ll be able to raise enough money to purchase a large van or a small bus.

“God has opened all these doors for us for a reason,” Dillon said. “And we want to get out there and spread his word to as many as we can.”

Although the band keeps them busy, the musicians still make time for local churches they care about and perform in a variety of benefits.

At many of their shows, people have broken down in tears or been inspired to start praying. Those moments help them realize they are doing the right thing, Terry said.

“It just tells me again and again that we are not in charge of this,” he said. “We are following the lead and God is showing us where to go.”

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

About the series

This story is part of an ongoing series for The Advocate’s faith section about Christian bands and the way they use their music to express their beliefs.

See the band

Flee will perform in a concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 23 at First Baptist Church of Newark, 1000 Granville Road. For more information about the band or additional concert dates, go to Facebook.com/Fleeband or call 740-641-6856.