Beech Tree News Network

Butler County's Cody Wagoner is quiety becoming an accomplished artist in the world of music.  His newest album - Gathering String - is a testament to that.  Some may want to know where his musical background comes from, and like many of us, it comes from his family. 

“My musical background goes all the way back to my birth.  My grandmother played piano for a gospel quartet the whole time I was growing up, and my dad was always a huge fan of music,” he said.  As a kid he heard tons of MoTown, 70’s rock, and R&B Soul.  The first instrument he learned to play was piano and then around 18-years-old he learned to play the guitar.  Shortly after that, he started a band with Chad Doughty, Justin Young, and Nick Willoughby.  The band was called Hollow Drive.  

Many people have dreams of recording songs and making albums.  Cody Wagoner said, “I didn’t really set out to write and record an album.”  He sang his collection of original songs at Morgantown Community Church.  Many people told him to record the songs, and finally he decided to do just that.  His songs were recorded at a studio in Woodbury.  He launched a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign to help offset production cost, musician fees, and mixing and mastering of the album.  Finally, the album was officially released on June 15, 2018.

With being a worship pastor, worship music became a big part of Wagoner’s life.  When asked what he wanted for his music, he said, “No matter what I write, I just want it to be genuine, honest, and have substance.”   As for the songs on this record “they are centered around love, compassion, mercy, and the need for transformation.”  These values are what Cody wishes to convey on stage as a worship leader or solo artist.  

There are many parts in a band.  Some of the different parts are vocals and instruments.  In Wagoner’s Gathering String there are lead vocals, guitars, background vocals, keyboard, bass, and drums.  Cody Wagoner is the lead vocalist, along with playing the guitar and Jemal Wade Hines plays the guitar.  Beth Embry, Jemal Wade Hines, and Moksha Sommer help at times with background vocals. Moksha Sommer plays the keyboard.  Chad Doughty plays bass and Chich Mauk plays the drums.