About Us
Don Bass
Don
was born and raised in Louisiana, but as the saying goes “got to Texas just as
fast as he could”. He grew up in the church, claiming that he was “active in
church” even before he was born, since his parents were actively involved in
their local church. As for some of Don’s Christian heritage, he has several
grandfathers and uncles that were Baptist Preachers or Music Directors.
Upon graduating from Centenary College in Louisiana, Don began his career in Management with JC Penney Co. Don dated one of his “Penny” employees Mary Kay Powell, who agreed to marry him, not knowing that he would whisk her away to Texas. Since that time he has moved into the Operations and Construction of Facilities with several companies such as Johnson Controls and General Electric.
Initially Mary Kay and Don moved to Dallas and became involved with Northway Baptist Church (mother church of now mega church Prestonwood Baptist Church), participating in church choirs and teaching Sunday School, especially pre-school.
Don, Mary Kay and their two daughters Melissa and Joanna moved to Arlington and have been faithful members of several “mission-start up” churches before joining First Baptist Church of Arlington in the mid 1990’s. Don is currently an active Deacon, plus he sings in the choir, works with the medical/dental mission team, and teaches a pre-school kindergarten class along side Mary Kay.
Don has always enjoyed singing. Even as a little boy he liked to mimic his Music Director Uncle by standing in the aisle and waving his hands while singing to the top of his lungs. Some of Don’s early “heroes in church music” were George Beverly Shea and Tennessee Ernie Ford. He has always tried to hit those low bass notes for which these two “legends of the faith” are known. His favorite music by far is the old-fashioned kind: the old hymns of faith and “Southern Gospel”.
Some of the groups that have made a lasting impression on Don are “The Imperials”, “The Isaacs”, “The Nealens”, the “Cathedrals” and especially a new group “The Signature Sound”. Having no formal music training Don has learned from those who have shared his path over the years. Many have helped with “constructive criticism” which he takes all in stride.
Don joined the “Cords” in summer of 2006, and really enjoys working with this group of musicians. Now, you may ask, “What vocal part does Don Bass sing?” Well…..that’s easy. BASS, of course!
Broken Cords - Service through Song - Arlington, Texas