Meaning behind the name:

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Romans 12:3

In a world centered around the best-dressed, who's who, world's most- and top-ranked; Christ called his followers to be humble. From the beginning, God designed us with talents: the desire to use them, to share them and be heard. Turn on the television for a few minutes and you will catch a glimpse of a celebrity show or a popular band performing. Shows full of all the glory, glitz, and glamour the world can muster. With an inherit desire to play music comes an inherit desire to be seen and heard; to say something worth hearing and hope someone listens. But while God has given the talent, He has also called us to give it away. Christ tells us to remain humble ("And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." -Matthew 23:12), and seek only his face. What words are worth speaking that have not been said? What song is worth singing without His voice?

As followers of Christ, Standing Small was given that vision, but also convicted of the seriousness of the call to humility. To refrain from pride and self-service in all things. As musicians this is a daily struggle. You spend anywhere from three to fifteen (or more) hours per drive in a van together, load and unload a trailer (sometimes straight onto the stage), play the show, leave, try to pick a place to eat, and go home hoping to make ends meet. As four young men, pride is a central theme. Not only with each other, but also with the glory that can come of being a musician in this world. Jesus says in Matthew 6 to beware of those those who seek the glory of this world , even in His name; "Truly I tell you, they have received their reward."

So we chose to call ourselves Standing Small. A simple phrase, not flashy or eloquent, but a daily reminder: when written on a flyer or announced from a stage or spoken in prayer it is a constant reminder to us of who and what we do this for. A reminder that we truly are small before a great God, and that His Glory, not ours, is that which we seek. There is no other cause worth preaching, no other song worth singing, but that of Christ and him crucified.

-Standing Small
Knoxville, TN
www.myspace.com/standingsmall
www.standing-small.com

Biography of the band:

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." (1 Corinthians 3:7-8), for "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Standing Small is more than a band. It is more than a ministry. It is four guys who have been totally transformed by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is the word of God poured out into four souls who can do nothing more than express it and share it in the only way they know how - through music. Standing Small the ministry is the desperate seeking to share this love and forgiveness with the rich and the poor, the healthy and sick, the comfortable and the downtrodden; and to bring forth fruit in the Kingdom of Heaven. Standing Small the band is familiar with the weight of their calling. Having played over 250 shows in nearly two years- balancing jobs and bills with flat tires, 13-hour drives, trailers snapped in half, and near-death illness - They have played in 20+ states, and performed at Cornerstone, Lifelight, and Icthus festivals. They recently signed with Future Destination Records, an indie label out of West Virginia, and have released an EP titled "Oh Sweet Child," with a new full length album in the works.

Ultimately, what Standing Small is and would have anyone see in them is the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ poured out. Whether it be music, or beards, or fireworks, or late night conversations at Waffle House, or just four young men worshipping, their sole desire is to see Christ and Him glorified, to share the greatest gift they have ever received, and to praise the name of the Holy Son of God.