Saturday, March 21, 1998

UPS man delivers gospel in song

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Driving down the street singing to himself and scribbling lyrics on delivery notices might not sound like a safe thing for a UPS delivery man to be doing.

But for Rod Pringle, the cab of his truck is his studio where 90 percent of his works are composed.

"And I have an unblemished safe driving record," he said.

He and his wife Elisabeth also have two CDs recorded locally by Michael Henry Martin. They will sing excerpts from both at a benefit concert March 28 at Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland.

"We're kind of debuting them at the concert," Pringle said of the new songs.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $2 and proceeds will benefit Christian Ministries of Abilene, an outreach of Highland.

Pringle isn't the only one singing his songs. He has written many children's songs, some of which are used by teachers in Bible classes and at Vacation Bible School. Recently one of his songs was performed by a group of children before the governor of Oklahoma.

Many Abilenians will remember Pringle and his two brothers Ryan and Wes, who were the house band at Crystal's Pizza Parlor while they attended Abilene Christian University in the early '80s.

Most of their music was country in the style of John Denver. Pringle had a lot of experience with that type music. When Pringle was 10 years old, his dad bought him a $10 guitar and he immediately began writing songs.

"A lot of those we'd like to forget," he said, but obviously he had talent.

Growing up on a dude ranch near Gunnison, Colo., provided Pringle with the opportunity to perform. He and is brothers were the weekly entertainment for the guests at the family owned and operated ranch.

After his gig at Crystal's and marriage to Elisabeth Tate in 1982, Pringle decided to try his hand at songwriting in Nashville. After three years there, the couple decided that wasn't the life for them.

"It just wasn't something we wanted to do," Elisabeth said.

Now the Pringles are content raising their two sons, Logan and Joshua, and playing for church and civic functions, although Pringle said he wouldn't mind if a big name artist recorded one of his songs.

"I would love to hear Amy Grant or someone record some of my songs," he said.

In the meantime, the Pringles are kept busy with juggling family, jobs (she teaches kindergarten at Taylor Elementary School), and an occasional CD. Elisabeth's family has come to the rescue in transporting the boys to basketball games and other school activities while the Pringles recorded late at night after work.

"We just have a lot of help from my family," Elisabeth said. Her parents are Willard and Bobbie Tate of Abilene. Willard Tate is a communication professor at ACU and travels the country speaking on family issues.

He also sells CDs while he's traveling.

"He sells 10 or 12 every time he speaks," Rod said.

Pringle said most of his songs are about specific events or people who are important to him. Also, he composes songs on request from others.

One of his songs was used in the introduction to a film series produced by his father-in-law and one of his praise songs, "He's My God!" is played on KGNZ radio on Sunday mornings.

Pringle admits that writing songs for a living would be a dream come true, but he is more than satisfied with the opportunities he has now. His music and performances allow him to touch people's lives on a personal basis, and he believes that is a gift.

"I feel like God directed me along another path," he said.