At the "Hard Rock Cafe" in Salt Lake City, the music is all "rock."
At the "Solid Rock Cafe" in Ogden, the music's about the "Rock" -- Jesus, the Rock of Christian salvation."This place is the best thing to come along in a long time," says Dan Williams, a Christian troubadour who often performs at the cafe. "In other states, Christian music is as big as mainstream music is here.
In Texas there are Christian country stations, Christian rock stations, Christian devotional stations. Right now, for local Christian musicians, The Solid Rock Cafe is about all we have going. But people have been coming from Salt Lake City, Provo and other cities just to be here."
The Solid Rock Cafe is the nonprofit brainstorm -- or better, "spirit-storm" -- of Michael and Carolyn Sherman, an energetic young couple who operate Ark Ministries in Ogden.
"Music has always been one of the ways the Lord has touched people's hearts," Michael says. "And we want to provide a place where that can happen."
Bible groups and support groups meet at the cafe during the week, but the weekend music concerts are the cafe's true driving force and drawing card. In recent weeks, local Christian artists Wendy Jepsen, Gar Asby and Suzi Carr, the Wasatch Praise Team and the group Sword Bearer have performed there. Other artists wait in the wings.
At the Solid Rock (2208 Washington Blvd.), the lights are always bright, the drinks alcohol-free and the atmosphere "cozy Christian." It's not unlike the "clean, well-lighted place" of the Hemingway short story. People chat, read, listen to the music. The Solid Rock is out to help make Christian performers a viable part of the Utah music scene. And that "mission," if you will, dovetails nicely with another Ogden venture, the fledgling Wasatch Christian Music Association, spearheaded by Lisa Rajigah.
Rajigah's goal is not only to promote local artists but make Utah a frequent stop for big-time touring professionals.
"I've written to many artists, and so many of them want to come here," she says. "It's not that there isn't a market. It's just a question of getting organized."
Rajigah's frustrations began last Christmas when Christian singer Sandi Patty was forced to cancel a local concert because of lack of interest. A major Christian band later cancelled a Boise show. But when only 85 people turned out for a show by the blockbuster Christian band Bleach, Rajigah went into action.
"I feel it's really God's idea," she says. "All I wanted to do was attend a concert. And now look what's happening."
Rajigah also hopes to include LDS pop artists in the mix, a move that is embraced by many others, though it has raised a few eyebrows.
"I'm coming from perspective of love," she explains. "And I love my LDS brothers and sisters. It doesn't matter to me if someone worships the Toad God, I still love them."
As for the reason so few big-name Christian groups make it to Utah, Rajigah says one reason is many Christian bands are booked by secular promoters, so the bottom line is money, not the ministry. By working with artists who do their own bookings, she hopes to make an end run around the problem.
"I went in with the idea that I would personally underwrite everything," she says. "But my husband wasn't too happy with that. So now we're looking for more members to join the association." (Those interested should call 825-1704 or send e-mail to: rajigah@vitrex.net.
For now, however, local performers and fans are encouraged.
"Other people have tried to do things like this," says Williams. "But the vision, I think, was maybe more for themselves. Or maybe they didn't quite have the faith to follow through."
Faith should not be a problem at the Solid Rock.
"Young people, especially, are jumping in," says Rajigah. "In fact, everyone I've talked to has had something positive to say."
As for future events, Wendy Jepsen -- considered one of the finest "unsung singers" in Utah -- will be at the cafe with Katie Kuhn tonight at 7 p.m. The group Sword Bearer will make a return visit on Saturday, March 25. The hot young band Rapture will also be among future Solid Rock shows.
On a larger scale, Rajigah is working with the bands Ghoti Hook, Stavesacre and The Nobodys.
Good Mud will be at the Wasatch Free Church in Roy on Wednesday, March 22.
The music may be rock, but believers are quick to point out that the message is always The Rock.
And for the Shermans, Lisa Rajigah and dozens of Utah Christian performers, that makes all the difference in the world.