Rich Kasten
"I look at my wife and kids, and I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness. When I left Him, He stayed with me and protected me. I don't deserve to be here but God's grace is undeniable. I can't imagine living without His hand on my life."
I grew up in Southern California. Music and art were a big part of our family life. My mother is an artist and my father played big band/jazz trumpet. Many styles of music were present and influenced me growing up ... Harry James and Duke Ellington, Elton John and Paul McCartney were common on the family stereo.
In 1977, at age 14, I taught myself to play guitar and drums. I loved music but had no real desire to be in front of people as I was pretty shy growing up. Eventually I discovered I had a new form of expression through music and with the encouragement of my father began to write songs and practice hours a day. By age 17 I began to play local clubs and this progressed to the point of fronting hard rock bands, singing and playing guitar. By my early 20's I shared the stage with a number of well-known bands including: (Guns & Roses, Poison, Warrant, Shark Island, Motley Crue, Smile, A La Carte ...) My sweet mother had always hoped I would be a worship leader but I really had no interest in this idea.
I was raised with Christian values but they were being tested and ultimately compromised as I moved deeper into the Hollywood rock scene of the 80's. As I worked to gain "Rock Star" status I was becoming more vulnerable daily. I was fortunate to not be interested in drugs but I was immersed in a lifestyle driven by sex and it was everywhere and a drug all it's own. I always felt the tug of right and wrong in my heart but in my mind I tried to rationalize my choices.
The narcissism of the 80's rock industry was wild. Promotion was king and we spent almost as much time on getting noticed as we did on our music. Sadly, the more involved I was the more it seemed I was loosing parts of who I really was. Promoters and agents saw how much money there was to be made from bands and audiences and they exploited every inch of Hollywood's Sunset Strip, luring bands from across the nation and beyond to be a part of the flash filled phenomenon. I was raised a few miles away in Pasadena, Ca. where the whole Southern California, 80's rock craze really started back in the mid 70's with the band Van Halen.
Still, there was that tug of right and wrong ...
After years of being half in and half out I had an encounter. I was at the Rainbow, (a club in Hollywood Ca.) and I had an overwhelming sense to change the path I was on. Actually, I'd been having more frequent thoughts it was time to go. In fact, as I was with a friend who was a drummer of a famous band at the time and we were talking about joining to form a new band (He is unfortunately now dead) when everything seemed to stop around me and I saw what my life looked like and it made me very concerned. I thought, this isn't where I'm supposed to be. I knew it was God and I do believe God directed me towards Himself that night. I drove home different and that was the beginning of a life committed to pursuing Jesus Christ.
I did change my path almost immediately and began the very detailed and sometimes painful process of redirecting my life.
I was made to praise the Lord and bring glory to His name!
I love to talk with non-believers and people who are struggling with their faith or in surrendering completely to God because I think there's comfort in knowing it's a journey. Yes, asking Jesus into your heart makes a profound impact right then and there and every person has a unique testimony. But sin, the effects of sin and the patterns we have spent so long operating in takes time to understand and recognize. When we surrender to God a work in us begins through the Holy Spirit and change will come and continue to be a part of our life. Our part is to not be discouraged and continually seek His face. Paul says in Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." It has taken years for me to really grasp how much God loves me. And there is nothing I can do to earn that love. That is such a beautiful thing! God's love is pure, true, right and what we're all looking for. I am able to repent of my sins because God put His son Jesus here on earth to pay a price I never could. Talk about a deficit! Obedience and surrender to the Creator is my on going challenge, hope and joy and I'm so thankful and happy to proclaim Him as my Lord and King!
My greatest personal joy is my family. I've been married 18 years and have 4 beautiful children.
I've been a part of church ministries working on staff at Christian Assembly Church in Eagle Rock, Ca, Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Ca, and San Marino Community Church in San Marino, Ca, as a high school and pre-teen director and worship leader. I've given concerts, lead worship and been a key note speaker for adult, college and high school groups throughout the Western United States and abroad. My family and I are members at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Ca. where I now serve on the Men's Ministry team and regularly lead worship and play for outreach events. Grounded Production's goal and mission is to be used by God to form relationships where we pray with and lead others to the only way to abundant life that is Jesus Christ.
If you haven't already, I invite you listen to few songs and look through the web site. Consider having me and my band come to perform at your church or outreach event. Or maybe there's a song you'd like to pass on to a friend. Either way we're here to serve and would love to hear from you.
Rich Kasten