Humble Servants

***Humble Servants*** is the eleventh studio album by American rock band All Business. It was released on November 24, 1998, through Rock Records and distributed by Epic Records. A dramatic shift for the group following their country-inspired *God Bless America,* the album sees the band exploring Christian themes following their conversion to the faith a few months prior.

Following an extensive tour of the American south, half of the then 18 member All Business enlisted to join the United States military due to the overwhelming patriotism they now felt. The remaining members began to feel worried for those now overseas, and thus turned to Christianity to help comfort their fears. Inspired by a mission trip lead by the band's organist Reverend Archibald (now an actual Reverend), lead guitarist Ted Bundy pushed to make a born again record. Recording took place at several Cathedrals across Europe during Autumn 1998, as well as at Lady Simone Augusto's newly constructed opera house in Lebanon. Due to half of the band's deployment at the time, several members had to learn and play other instruments that they otherwise would not have needed to. A gospel choir was utilized on some songs, however a lack of finances from the band kept their contributions from making the final cut. It would be the final album featuring auxiliary percussionist Philip Duke before his record setting death in 1999.

*Humble Servants* was released to largely negative reviews, with many in the Christian community slamming the band's new direction as being a vapid cash grab. The album underperformed in comparison with previous All Business releases, only managing to go 3x platinum. It was supported by a promotional tour of mega churches and public schools, the latter of which lead to several lawsuits against the band. Despite these hardships, All Business would continue to explore Christianity on their exceedingly controversial follow up album *The Real History* (1999)*.*

## Personnel

### All Business

* Vernon O’Shaughnessy - lead vocals
* Rolly Rockefeller II - lead vocals
* Ted Bundy - lead and rhythm guitars
* Lonnie Joe Parker - Drums
* Ernesto - rhythm guitar
* Manchester Seuss - Synthesizer and French Horn
* The Reverend Archibald - organ and synth bass
* "Dirty" Bo Jones - saxophone
* Philip Duke - auxiliary percussion

## Notes

- During one of the final shows of the back to the road tour, Vernon makes the announcement that half the members of the band had agreed to join the United states military, to the confusion of most everyone. His thought process was that once the announcement was made, members would feel a need to join given public scrutiny.

- Despite Vernon's claim that half of All Business was deployed into the US armed forces, only Simone (Navy), Larry (Coast Guard), Mo (Army), and Johnny (Marines) became active duty members. Both Erman and Slammer enlisted but failed during basic background checks. Enzo refused on behalf of his PTSD and promptly left the band. Danny followed suit, citing a disdain for Military service. Vernon personally asked Cleveland to enlist as "his oldest friend", but Cleveland opted to once again leave the band.

- Following disappointing reception to her first two solo operas, Lady Simone took up Vernon's offer to deploy in the name of trying to find more artistic inspiration

- Of the 4 members who actually join the armed services, only Mo see's active combat (and gains 50 pounds in muscle mass). He is credited with having 1 confirmed kill. While the other 3 deployed members all drop out within months, Mo opts to stay in for 2 tours, claiming that it gives his life the meaning and order that his former marriage was not able to.

- Johnny is slightly broken down following his experiences, which softens him up for a time.