User:Dfraser3

Don Fraser & Detour was a Christian Alternative band from Corona, California. Originally formed in 1981 and by 1989 represented one of the most well known Christian alternative bands in southern California.The band was originally name "Detour" but later Don Fraser's name was added for copyright concerns

Background
Don Fraser & Detour formed around the leadership of Don Fraser, who had been active in the local music scene for some time, following the disbanding of the band "All for One" after the founder and lead singer Of "All for One" (Ray Coucal) left the band to pursue other activities. It was then that the remaining members Don Fraser (lead singer and rhythm guitarist) Bruce Swift (Bass player and backing vocalist) and Herb Manuputy (lead guitarist who also played lead for Larry Norman). Directly prior to the formation of Detour, Fraser had been involved in performing in his and other church worship groups around his community. He had been a member of a band called Second Chance with Kathy Fraser (Now Kathy Martin) & Dave Price (who later co-founded the "Immitators").

In 1986 Detour released a demo, recorded at "State of the Heart" recording studio with Duane Evarts Detour which contained some of their lesser known hits such as "Prodigal", "Take It Now", "Borrowed Time", "Take My Life", "If I Could Only Find You", And "New Life", which they used for marketing and advertising their name. The band toured southern California, Nevada and Arizona for several years with no charge for entry, only asking for gas money to insure their arrival and that a collection would be taken on or before the concert. Their concerts would often be held outdoors. The band once played a concert at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Fraser saw his playing as a form of Christian ministry, often citing the Biblical injunction by Christ in Matthew 10:8, to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have various diseases, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Their 1986 eponymous (or autobiographical) debut was produced by Firewatch Records and entitled "Last Call". While the title of the album is Last Call, The title track was never added. The band, however frequently performed the title song at every concert event since the albums release. The album contained only six tracks including "Prodigal", "LP-3" (Named for the co-writer Lewis Putnam, as this was his third contributing song written by him up to that point), "Isolation", "BMW", "New Life" and "Don't Wait So Long". While Detour was visually similar to other alternative Christian bands at the time, they were distinguished by three elements: the vocals of Don Fraser, the songwriting of Don and Lewis Putnam, and the guitar technique of Lewis Putnam (who went by Lewis David) as well as the contributions of Eric Turner of the Darrell Mansfield Band and Gentile Faith. The band's sound was not typical of contemporary 1980s Christian music bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian and their sound and presence was energetic. Themes often included Armageddon, hope and victory in Christ, and the Grace of living in God, as well as the Agony of life without the daily presence of Christ. with Biblical language Often found throughout.

During his time with the band, Don Fraser often performed solo as well as in concerts in duet with Lewis Putnam, and has since recorded a third album entitled "Psalmist Cry" produced by Fraser and Putnam. This album didn't sell as well as their previous one, but many of their songs received airplay by many radio stations in the US. Fraser, Putnam and Charity (bassist and keyboardist) reunited briefly for a performance at Calvary Chapel Oceanside in Oceanside, California

Associations
Don Fraser joined up with Bikers for Christ in the mid 1980s and was made a member in 1987 when he teamed up with Pastor Fred Zariczny to form the Bikers For Christ Church in southern California. Don Fraser & Detour were frequent guests at the church and on several occasions, led worship and helped startup several churches over the years as worship leader.

Don Fraser toured The US in 1990 with Darrell Mansfield Band playing rhythm guitar and singing backing vocals with Darrell Mansfield. He also shared the stage with other bands Such as Bryan Duncan, Final Warning, Bloodgood, Elivator Music, and The Mirrors.

Present
After a single studio album, the group officially disbanded in 1991. The group, in its entirety, has not performed together since. Don Fraser himself still performs today around his new hometown outside of Fort Worth Texas.

Don Fraser is currently Worship pastor of Calvary Chapel Weatherford, Texas.

Discography
Cheap thrill seaker, Borrowed time, Take it now, Mausoleum, Take my life, If I could only find you, New Life Prodigal, BMW, LP-3, Isolation, New Life, Don't wait so long, Anjeline, When I hold you, Psalmests Cry, Brandy's Song, Blue's Gig
 * Detour (1982, The Harpazo! Ministries "State-of-the-Heart" Studio / HMEA Records Group/cassette demo)
 * Last Call (1986, Firewatch Records)
 * Psalmest Cry (1996, Firewatch Records)

Current

 * Don Fraser – Guitar | Lead Vocals
 * Lewis Putnam - Lead Guitar | Backup Vocals | Lead Vocals "LP-3"
 * Dan Parker - Drums
 * Bill Robison - Keyboards | Bass Guitar | Background Vocals
 * Charity Putnam (Book) - Keyboards | Bass Guitar | Background Vocals

Former
Herbie Manaputy - Lead Guitar
 * Steve Latanation - Drums ("Prodigal", "Isolation", "BMW", "LP-3", "New Life", "Don't Wait So Long", "Last Call")
 * Terry Weisse - Drums
 * Tony Suarez - Bass Guitar
 * Eric Turner - Lead Guitar ("BMW")
 * Mike Malone - Drums
 * Kennith Escajeda - Bass Guitar
 * Roger Gomez - Drums
 * Craig Bunch - Drums
 * John Comport - Drums