Karen was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado and just before second grade her parents moved back to their home state of Southern Indiana. After a tragic fire, the family relocated in Florida for her last two years of high school. She married and had two children. After her father's death, she took care of her mother and the family moved to Nevada to be close to her brothers. In 1998, Karen had the rare opportunity to chose where she wanted to live and her choice was Vermont. This move, in her opinion was a gift from God.
The connection she had with music started as a child. Karen started singing as a toddler with the family recording real to real tapes to send to their oldest who was stationed in Germany. Karen came into the family late with brothers 18, 13, and 8 years her elder, but they all were a constant source of encouragement.. The youngest of her three older brother was always looking for opportunities to promote Karen's singing from 4-H song leading to putting her on stage for an impromptu song anywhere they went where there was music, Although she was painfully shy in her youth, Karen never passed up an opportunity to sing into the hearts of anyone who would listen.
Karen comes from a long line of Knaebel musicians. Her grand-father played the bass horn, her father played tenor sax, violin, clarinet, and bass horn along with developing the arrangements for his "Glenn Miller" style of band. Her oldest brother, Al cut his first vinyl album just before being drafted into the Army with a voice that combined the spunk of Elvis with the bass of Johnny Cash. Her younger brother went to state competition with the Baritone sax. Karen's family influenced her love of all music by exposing her to the diverse sounds from the 30s forward. This diversity comes out in the types of music that Messenger creates.
The music created in the church was always a source of delight for Karen. Her early years in a small church in Indiana combined her love for singing with the close fellowship of a small tight-knit community. That small church beginning inspired Karen to seek to replicate that atmosphere in all that she does.
Karen's love for music never tired and God's faithfulness during the many challenges of her lifetime gave her the desire to share His victories in her life with others. After many years of dabbling in poetry, Karen's son challenged her to turn the poetry into music. Although Karen doesn't play a single instrument, God placed a gift in her and at the age of 50 she record her first album of original music. That music has provided God's hope to many who listened.
Karen is married to Stephen and between them have five grown children, three grandchildren and another on the way. Karen is a proud and loving grandma (Nanny).
Colleen Hewitt
Colleen is a native Vermonter living in North Calais, Vermont. Colleen graduated from Johnson State College with a degree in music. She has been teaching piano privately in Central Vermont for over 30 years.
Karen and Colleen met through a church event.Seems Karen and Colleen were both trying to learn how to play the violin. After a last-minute cancel, Karen's music teacher asked her to accompany him to an open mic at Colleen's church. Karen was on her fourth lesson and agreed but only under the condition if she "bombed" that she would just continue by singing....and bomb she did! Collen thought, if Karen wasn't afraid to try to play violin as a new student, then she would give it a try too. Collen quickly followed in Karen's footsteps...and their common bungle made them instant friends and soul sisters!
Karen was later asked to return to the church to sing (not play violin). The pastor introduced her to the congregation as a singer....Karen quickly corrected him saying..."well, I'm not really a singer - I'm more of a Messenger" - hence the name.
Colleen has two sons...but it's the hundreds of children and adults that admire her for teaching them to love music through the piano. Colleen is a constant source of positive joy and her love for the Lord is evident in everything she does.
Sergio Torres
Sergio is a gifted and talented musician who has been playing music in the area for 40 years. He has played both as a member of different bands and also as a solo performer for different venues, restaurants, weddings and nursing homes. Sergio is proficient in various styles of music including, Jazz, Country, Rock, and even sings in Spanish. Sergio leads worship in his church and enjoys playing for other Gospel projects (especially Messenger). Although he was born in New York city, he has made Vermont his home for 43 years.
Sergio is our brother and our delight. He brings the joy of the Lord wherever he goes. We love how he tries to tell us that he is getting old then we have to remind him that we are all the same age!
Stephen Rambur
Stephen was born in North Dakota and has enjoyed the warm weather of Vermont for 24 years! His bass in a newer adventure but he takes to it like he was born to play!
Karen loves a bass player that can't leave home without her. Asking her husband to play bass is one way to always have a full band! And how many husbands would say sure honey to a big deal of learning a new instrument. But Stephen has been a perfect fit for the band and loves the Lord. Stephen is the laid back, low-key anchor that makes sure everything always makes it to a concert and we are always there on time. God Bless my Stephen!
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Meg Eberhardt
Meg moved here from somewhere else, as have most of us.… But Vermont is her home. She was an unexpected blessing and proof that God leads us in our everyday walk if we trust in His guidance. Messenger was playing at her church and we suggested she sit in on the set - the rest is history. Meg has the experience and background as a music teacher and between Meg and Colleen, we can keep our music straight and always be playing the right notes. She knows her music and she knows her Lord. She is an amazing and gifted musician and singer/songwriter and has the quiet peace of someone that puts all of her hope in Jesus. We are so glad she is part of the team.