Band gets big break, identity serving as second-string worship leaders

RICHARDSON—One worship band’s occasional absence on Sunday morning gave another band not only its big break, but also its identity.

In 2004, while he was attending Baylor University in Waco, lead singer Logan Walter and his friends were selected to lead worship at University Baptist Church on Sunday mornings whenever the church’s regular worship leaders, the Dove Award-winning David Crowder Band, were touring around the country.

The opportunity gave Walter and his friends much-needed experience and exposure, as well as their band’s name—Dutton, for University’s Baptist’s location on Dutton Avenue in Waco.

Three years later, The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson offered Dutton an opportunity to lead worship on a regular basis for the church’s contemporary worship service.

Now, despite a busy schedule, Dutton remains committed to serving the local church and making an impact on the lives of teenagers and college students around the country.

The band performs at least 150 events each year, including Disciple Now weekends, youth conferences and camps, such as Super Summer and Falls Creek Baptist Encampment in Oklahoma. In addition, Dutton has led worship for Vertical Ministries, a campus-wide Bible study that involves more than 1,000 college students meeting on Monday nights at Baylor University.

Throughout the year, Dutton also leads worship at the Planet Wisdom conferences for middle school and high school students. The band will lead worship this month in a revival at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.

Lead singer Logan Walter of the band Dutton leads worship.

Wherever Dutton performs, the band’s desire is to bring people into a closer relationship with God. With Walter on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the band consists of electric guitarists Brian Patterson and Shane Wilson, drummer Nathan Jennings and bass player Josh Hicks.

“Every time we step on stage, we view our time with people as an opportunity to worship Christ through song,” Walter said. “Our primary goal while leading worship is to make room for the Holy Spirit to change lives.”

Ministering to teenagers especially is important to Dutton, and band members desire to help build bridges for local churches to use as a tool for attracting youth and ministering to their needs.

“Community is so important for growing in the Christian walk and being around other believers,” Walter said. “God has designed us to enjoy meals with friends and spend quality time with people just for the sake of loving others and being loved by others. … Through our music and message, we really want to share Christ’s love with the world around us—not just by words, but by actions—and be the hands and feet of Christ. Most times, it starts with the people around you.”

Last fall, Dutton released a new worship album, All Things Fade. Life experiences and situations the band has dealt with over the past few years—including a car accident that occurred while driving home after a concert—inspired songs for this album. 

“I was driving back from a concert in my new Rio with Shane, Josh and Brian in the car,” Walter recalled. “We had just been talking about how the car was small but safe. I even told them where the airbags were located, and then said: ‘But don’t get me wrong.  I don’t think this car could withstand the impact of a truck.’ 

“Probably 20 seconds later, we were T-boned by a truck. The car was totaled, and the airbags deployed. By the grace of God, we walked away with hardly a scratch. I had this sense that our lives could have been taken, but God was in control and chose to spare us.  That night, I went home and wrote the song, ‘In Control.’”

Walter noted he is constantly writing new songs and looking for the best way to connect with people in a corporate worship setting.

“Sometimes inspiration can start with a book, Scripture, a melodic idea or walking away from a near-tragic accident,” Walter said. “Through it all, the desire is to bring people closer to God through songs.

“Each song will go through about a hundred changes before it’s finished, and I’m always amazed and humbled at the end result—when a room full of people are ushered into Christ’s presence through an original song that God has placed on my heart.”