Shepherd Blind | The Band

The Band - Shepherd Blind

So, you ask yourself "Where did Shepherd Blind come from?" The answer is the stuff of legends. In 1999, Jim Archer met Nathan Spencer, a poor boy abandoned on the street and raised by sewer rats. Jim took Nathan in and taught him to use a spoon, public toilets, and a guitar. Nathan began to earn his keep by playing his spoon and guitar outside of public toilets. People on their way to the restroom would throw their change at Nathan with the hopes that he would stop playing, but he kept playing until he had earned enough money to go to college. Under Jim’s close supervision and tutelage, Nathan finished college and got a haircut and a wife.

Then Jim moved on to Matt Wideman. Matt was in a failing band, and he was heavily addicted to fast food. His dreams were dwindling as the blockage in his arteries was swelling. Jim found him choking on a quarter pounder and trying to drown himself in a swimming pool that he had filled with Dr. Pepper. Jim dove into the fizzy pool, pulled Matt out of his caffeinated coffin, and dislodged the quarter pounder. After giving Matt a warm sponge bath, Jim spent hours teaching him the intricacies of rhythm, as well as several techniques to properly spike his hair. Matt was a fast learner although his fast food addiction continues to be a struggle. As Matt so often says, "I’m the man that I am today because of Jim Archer’s tutelage and his gel."

Finally, Nathan Lewis came to Jim after running video at a Shepherd Blind concert, and he begged him to give him a chance as Shepherd Blind’s bass player. Jim was hesitant at first, but he eventually agreed to audition Nathan. The audition did not go well. In fact, Nathan Lewis played on a bass guitar that only had one string. When the other guys asked him hy his bass only had one string, he replied, "Because that’s all I need." After playing two songs, Jim sat Nathan down, put three more strings on his guitar, and taught him some basic music theory. After several hours, Nathan was using all four strings. Jim is currently training Nathan to play a five string bass, and then they will move on to a six string guitar. After that, Jim is planning to teach Nathan how to use computers.

As you can see, Shepherd Blind has endured a long, hard road, but it has all been worth it. Shepherd Blind is beginning a new chapter in their ministry, and they have adopted a slogan that summarizes their dreams and explains the nature of their ministry. Their slogan is "We’re HUGE in little towns."

Actually, we all just love God and love music, and we love loving God and loving others through our music. Thanks for sitting next to us on this ride.

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Jim Archer

Jim grew up on a cotton farm outside of Lamesa, Texas, where he spent most of his child hood playing with GI Joes while wearing a strange combination of warm up pants and cowboy boots. Jim calls this early fashion statement "Sporty Buckaroo." After graduating from Klondike High School, Jim moved on to Texas Tech University where he obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling. While in college, Jim met his best friend Kelli and married her. They have two amazing children, Presley, a beautiful little girl who looks just like her daddy, and Grayson, an up and coming ladies man who soils his britches and laughs about it. Jim started leading worship while in the 8th grade, and he founded Shepherd Blind in 1999. Jim also serves as a National Trainer for a Christian foster care agency called The Bair Foundation.

Jim’s hobbies include music, weightlifting, mountain biking, reading, writing, paying bills, taking multiple allergy medications, PS2, watching Survivor, watching The Amazing Race, asking his friend Nathan Lewis questions about computers, and rolling on the floor with his wife and kids.

Favorite Eateries: Durango’s, Lujan’s, Cilantro’s, One Guy From Italy, Spurlock’s in Lamesa, Texas, Leal’s in Muleshoe, Texas, Savanna’s in Levelland, Texas, The Blue Sky in Amarillo, Texas, The Pizza House in Clyde, Texas, and Margie Archer’s house on a cotton farm outside of Lamesa, Texas.

Nathan Spencer

Nathan Spencer grew up in Plano, TX. He graduated from Plano East Senior High where he played baritone for the Panther's. After attending the local ju-co, Nathan moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. After graduating from Tech with a Business Management Degree, Nathan married his sweetheart Tessa Thompson. Nathan and Tessa now live with their two dogs, Angel and Sugar, and their one cat - the aptly-named "Buddy."

Nathan's hobbies include fishing, driving $100,000 BMW's, being brother's with a former-O.C Supertone, pulling lint out of his belly-button, and Cooking some mean chicken on the grill. Nathan's all-time dream is to go King Salmon fishing in Alaska.

Favorite Eateries: Wing Stop, Papa Murphy's in Carlsbad, NM, Taco Bell, Carino's, Ben&Jerry's or Coldstone IceCream, Dan & Tammy Thompson's Steak and Twice-Baked Potatoes, and Mary Spencer's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

Matt Wideman

Matt Wideman was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. He graduated from the Sound Technology program at South Plains College in 1995. Matt has played in many bands in and around the Lubbock area since 1987. Drums are his first love, but he also plays guitar and keyboard. Matt is the worship leader at the Heights Fellowship where he leads a band known as Simeon’s Day. Matt is currently employed by Digital Base Productions where he is a producer and editor of TV commercials, music videos, and band projects. He is married to Shondra. They are expecting their first child around Thanksgiving, in addition to their 2 dogs. Shondra and Matt are also the owners of Designers Group Salon in Lubbock, where Shondra is a hairstylist.

Matts hobbies include music, golf, playing drums on people's albums up at Digital Base, building fences, and giving pianos and organs away to other Shepherd Blind band members.

Favorite Eateries: Taco Villa breakfast burritos, Bugers Fries and Cherry Pies, and Steaks from Harrigan's.

Nathan Lewis

Nathan Lewis grew up a little in Brownfield, Tx, a little in Wellman, Tx, a little in Hale Center, Tx, and a little in Plainview, Tx. He spent most of his youth learning bluegrass and gospel music with the family, and someone even told him lately that he is a good "flat-picker" (whatever that means). Nathan graduated from Hale Center High School in 2000 and is still working on his Bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University. (He should graduate early on the 10-year plan!) Nathan started leading worship in high school, and still leads worship whenever he gets the chance. Nathan joined Shepherd Blind in 2004 and has enjoyed "rocking it out with the guys."

Nathan's hobbies include listening to music, learning the piano, playing ball with his dog, Emma, running at Higinbotham park, and looking at the painting he'll never finish.

Favorite Eateries: Double-Daves, Bonus Burger, Subway, Cilantro's, Carlito's in Plainview, TX, "Earline's" Enchilada's (a specialty around the Lewis household) and anything that's free at Grandma and Grandpa's house!