(2 of 2)
Black Adventist congregations headed by graduates of Alabama's superstrict church-run Oakwood College, where Take 6 began in 1980, provided the young men with most of their performing dates as they struggled to survive during the early years. Their fortunes changed when a representative of Reprise records turned up at an audition in 1987. The group had hoped to sign with a religious-record company, but its members now realize that this would have greatly limited the evangelistic opportunities. Asks singer-arranger Mervyn Warren: "How many non-Christians go into a Christian bookstore?" When asked how long the act will stick together, group member Cedric Dent sees just two possibilities. "Either our commitment to the Lord will wander, and he will see fit to break us up," Dent says, "or he will come."