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J.C. Adrian Pratt, minister of Ruthin Presbyterian Church and St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church, Denbigh is also a song-writer and a pop musician who's just produced his first, solo gospel album, a selection of live and recorded songs called "Jester before the Throne". So, could the two chapels soon be resounding to the sound of guitars and pop music? To find out I went to meet Adrian and listen to some of his music.

Well that's the title track of 'Jester before the Throne' sung and played there by Adrian Pratt. Adrian; what was it that got you started in music in the first place?

A.J.P. Well, when I was at a tender age I used to just plonk of the piano for hours on ends and I found myelf occasionally writing songss and over the years that developed. In my teens I played in some groups around the clubs of Liverpool, things like that, and the interest kept with rne. I played in various groups, most recently in a Welsh language group called 'Tystion' whilst in college at Aberystwyth.

J.C.     Now at the same time as that, presumably, you were developing an interest into going into the ministry?

A.J.P. Yes that was a gradual developments over a period of years, t havn't always been particularly interested in religion, it's only the last 7 or so years that I~ve been actively involved in the Christian faith.

J.C. It seems fairly unusual for a minister to be involved in Pop music at all~ do you see it as unusual at all?

A.J.P. Well, some people do see it as unusual~ but in recent years there have been significant developments~ such as the 'Rock Gospel' T.V. programme~ it's been known for many years of Cliff Richards' involvement in contempory music, and my personal feelings are that any vehicle of communication is valid for communicating the gospel.

J.C. So are you going to continue that, now you've become a Minister, I mean can you see that the two can go together in some way, will you continue performing?

A.J.P. It would be nice to, yes, but as yet I don't see any clearly defined plan, it's a case of taking opportunities as they come along, taking it 'One day at a time' to use a cliche.

J.C. Has there been any reaction so far from your congregation in the Denbigh and Ruthin area?

A.J.P. Erm... Not as yet, because I don't think it's a side of my ministry they yet knew about!

J.C. So would there be the possibility, do you think, of introducing this sort of music into church services?

A.J.P There is a possibility. One problem with that may be the music is performance music, rather than worship music, and I think that distinction needs to be made. In a service, obvious!y, you're there to worship God, not to listen to someone performing, but at the same time, sometimes a performance can illuminate a message.

J.C. Well You've been here just two months now, which isn't very long, I know, but er.. how do you see you're future now then'?

A.J.P Well, my first responsibitity is to the two congregations of Denbigh and ,luthin. I'm here to do a particular job. Whether the music will be part of that job remains to be seen.

J.C.  Well let's have another piece of music from the album, what's it going to be this time?

A.J.P This is a song called 'Now' which speaks of making the most of the present and living one day at a time.

J.C. The sound of a new minister on the Vale of Clwyd, Adrian Pratt, whose album 'Jester before the Throne'