Artist and 2 sons to perform Messianic music Monday

Indiana Daily Student: How would you describe your style of music?
Ted Pearce: I came from a rock background, so a lot of it’s just soft rock with Hebrew lyrics. I’ve got everything from classical to Cuban.

IDS: But every song has religious lyrics?
TP: It’s just the Bible set to music ... just Scripture set to music. I’ll sing a verse in Hebrew and a verse in English. The music is not as important as the lyrical content.

IDS: And that’s what Messianic music is about?
TP: (It’s) worship music with a Jewish flair. ... It’s different from what you’re used to hearing; I don’t know how else to explain it.

IDS: Just so I’m clear, you’re a Christian who sings Jewish gospel music, when gospel has always been dominated by Christians?
TP: Messianic music’s just hearing the gospel through Jewish eyes. ... I get kind of bored with what everyone else is doing ... makes it harder to find an audience, but they’re out there.

IDS: How did you get into this line of work?
TP: I was in a rock band when I came to faith.

IDS: I understand you’re not a solo performer. Who else is in your band?
TP: There’re three of us – me and my two oldest sons. It’s sort of a family thing; it’s all about community. ... We’re an acoustic trio.

IDS: What made you decide to come to Bloomington?
TP: You have a Messianic Jewish community there. They’re usually the only ones who have heard of me, but most of them know who I am. It’s a big fish in a small pond situation.

IDS: Obviously, a big enough fish to make a living.
TP: We’ve already toured Europe twice this year. We do five to seven concerts a week.

IDS: What can people expect from your concert Monday?
TP: It’s more of a worship service. ... We have a good time worshipping God. It’s really joyous. It’s not really typical of what you hear. ... I think everyone who’d come out would enjoy it. We try not to be religious; we just have fun.