Freneau and Louis Hogan elegantly combine ministry and music using the divine mortar of marriage as an amplifying agent for their phenomenal technical talents. On the their new single 'No Doubt' Freneau's lilting elocution and rapturous dynamics ford a path down three blissful minutes of Salsa-cadenced measures decorated with some of the most dexterous key stroking you're likely to hear all year - Loius is one of the fastest pianists we've ever encountered. The whole effect is usefully novel; there's a certian genius required to blend these genres in a way that amounts to something listenable, let alone popularly viable as this song is already proving to be. Reporter Blake Wright recently caught up with the Hogans to learn how the spirit of the Lord wrought such a splendid destiny for them as pious practitioners of musical ministry.

BLAKE: When When did you first discover your love of music?
LOUIS: when I was six I was already identified as a piano player to myself. I chose not to play ball, or do other things that might injure my hands. FRENEAU: When I was a child, my sisters and I sang in church. We thought everybody did. We all played instruments. I played violin. Music was a part of the family.

BLAKE: Your song ‘Can't Break Me’ is receiving a strong listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard it played?
Praise the Lord!

BLAKE: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
LOUIS: Freneau wrote the words and melody. When I heard it, the whole thing just said, “Salsa” to me. FRENEAU: The inspiration came from a bible study where we were told that when we completed it, we would have No Doubt about who God is.

BLAKE: Would you say that the mood of your other songs is in the same vein as ‘There Is No Doubt’?
LOUIS: Each song seems to build its own flavor. The Jewish folk-song motif popped out for 'Joyful Noise', 'God Is Good' had a jazz flavor, 'Rejoice In The Lord' wanted to be a stadium with guitar and Hammond, 'He Has Set Me Free' was unplugged guitar, and a kind of flamenco quality inhabited 'Relinquished'. FRENEAU: All of our music is inspired by the Holy Spirit though each song has a different sound.

BLAKE: How would you characterize yourself as artists?
LOUIS: Flexible. I have a classical background with gospel, rock, jazz, and world added. Music is ephemeral, but it should 'feel' good enough to look at or eat. We have never been afraid of variety. I know our style always comes through.

BLAKE: Did you come from musical backgrounds? Are there other musicians in your family?
LOUIS: Other musicians are coming up in my family, but in the past I was pretty much it. FRENEAU: Yes. In the culture of the Bahamas, you recited and sang. Music was a part of life, especially in church. Music was essential - church, school and family gatherings.

BLAKE: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
LOUIS: I love to accompany and to create an atmosphere that people can enter. Most challenging is when people respond with a competitive spirit rather than joining in. FRENEAU: The most rewarding aspect to me is that I get to sing to my creator. I get a chance to see the words that come out of my mouth change the lives of people. On the downside - you’re expected to stay current and do what everyone else is doing. I just sing what God gives me.

BLAKE: Who are your role models in music?
LOUIS: Chopin and Louis Chauvin (with Scott Joplin) create a deep atmosphere. Richard Smallwood. Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Take Six. Tchaikovsky, Verdi (master of the wall of sound), Steely Dan, Eagles, Debussy, many others… FRENEAU: I’ve been influenced by the music of Bacharach and David, Dionne Warwick and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. It’s good to know I don’t have to sing gospel style. I have options.

BLAKE: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
LOUIS: The times that we sang “Yes” and “Rain” with the praise team at San Quentin. The word came back to us that they were singing these songs all week in the cell blocks. Some of the most wonderful guys we have ever spent time with, anywhere. FRENEAU: I sang 'Were You There' with the Chabot College Concert Choir. Toward the end the choir dropped out and on the last verse even the piano accompaniment went silent. There was dead silence after I sang the last words - a powerful moment.

BLAKE: Do you have a music video for your hit single? If so, what can you tell us about it?
We haven’t had access to a good videographer yet. Working on it…

BLAKE: Thank you for your time. Wishing you continued success.

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