WHERE I COME FROM:
Ben Apolinar has been a part of music ministry since the age of five. His earliest memory of making music for the Lord is singing the "Little Drummer Boy" for a midnight Mass celebration in Pecos, Texas.
Born and raised in Pecos, Texas, Ben sang in the church choir with his sisters throughout his elementary school years. At age 14 he learned to play the acoustic guitar just like his sister played. Soon he began playing at church, writing songs and singing about his spiritual journey.
WHERE I’VE BEEN:
In High School Ben and his best friend formed the band "AMIGOS". The band grew to include a full horn section at the height of its popularity, and eventually disbanded when band members moved on to their college years.
In 1982, Ben married his high school sweetheart Priscilla and started a family. Both remained close to their families and deeply grounded in their spiritual roots. In their unique ways Ben and Priscilla became heavily involved in music ministry and church work.
In 1986, a new band formed consisting of three band members: Eddie Vasquez on guitar, Mickey Vasquez on Keys, and Ben on Lead Vocals and Bass. It wasn't long after the band, “Sudden Impact,” began playing, that Ben had a dream that would change the direction of the bands music.
After a two of years of playing Pop and Rock music, Ben had a dream where he saw the image of “Sudden Impact” shatter. There had to be change. In Ben’s mind there was something missing in the music they were playing. The vision was well received by his band mates, and following his lead, the band released their first project, "Brand New Start". It was produced and recorded by the band and featured Ben's brother Frank, on sax. The record’s ten songs chronicled their journey of faith and marked a period of incredible growth and maturity in a promising new band.
Clearly following the Lords work, the band continued work on their ministry, making appearances at youth conferences and retreats across West Texas as well as confirmation ceremonies with the Bishop of El Paso at the time, Raymundo Pena.
The band’s sophomore album "By Faith" showed growth both spiritually and musically. Their ministry began leading them across the state to the Diocese of Amarillo and to Glendale Arizona. A year after the release, Ben left the group to focus on his family life and music liturgy. The departure was difficult for the band because the members were a family all their own, but Ben felt the call of the Lord leading him to yet another kind of ministry.
In 1996, Ben moved his family to Texas City, Texas, where he planted his roots at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church. Ben soon became a music minister there and devoted his time to leading retreats and Sunday Mass.
WHERE I AM GOING:
Ben has arranged psalms for the Mass, which are regularly used by his home church as well as churches in the surrounding area. In addition, he has also written numerous songs for worship during the Mass or specifically designed to inspire Christians on a spiritual retreat. Ben has also worked as a collaborative artist with musicians from other denominations to contribute to his spiritual and musical growth, but always found his greatest musical inspiration in contemplating the Eucharistic ministry. Youth groups and congregations are continually inspired by the personal lyrics and singable melodies which characterize Ben’s music.
After years of people asking "when are you putting out a CD?", or "you should record that song" the Fall of 2010 will bring closure to some and launch a new chapter in Ben’s spiritual journey as he will release his very first solo album. This project will be available through iTunes and CD Baby, with pre-sale available at www.benapolinar.com.
IN MY OWN WORDS:
In September 2009, I was invited by the Diocese of Galveston-Houston to be a musical guest for the Call to Holiness conference at the George R. Brown Convention center in Houston. Halfway through the set I mentioned having CD sample giveaways available if they liked the sound they were listening to. I jokingly said, ‘Please don't rush the stage’, next thing I knew, there's a crowd rushing the stage picking up samples of my material. At that time I realized the music given to me transcends time and age groups, confirmation that I am headed in the right direction.
In the early years I used to use the scripture from Phillipians 1:6 ‘He who has begun a good work in you will see it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ While searching for a different passage, I came across a story shared by the Bishop of Erie, Rev. Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL. The bishop expresses how as musicians our music gives God's people wings, wings that lift them up. That's when I received confirmation for this project. All this time, God has been preparing me. He began the good work in me in my mothers womb, and at the appointed time, I would be ready for the next phase of my spirituality. This portion of my spiritual life has come to completion, and the foundation has been laid. Now I must move on to what comes next. Through this music entrusted to me as a musician of God, I fulfill St. Paul's words to the Ephesians to ‘be filled with the Spirit addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord.’ It is my hope that the music on this CD will give you those same ‘wings’.”
Teaming up with Grammy winner and record producers Michael & Ron Morales from Studio M in San Antonio, www.studiomus.com, Ben completed pre-production in late February. The Concert & CD release date are tentatively set for October/November. Until the completion of this project, Ben will continue his music ministry at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal, and continue providing music for retreats & conferences in the Houston area.
