The year is 1998 and Calvary Chapel of Poulsbo WA is getting ready to start their weekly service at a local elementary school. In front of the small crowd are three individuals setting up to lead the congregation in a time of worship. This is where Jacob's Well began, and where the heart of Jacob's Well remains—Serving and being rooted in their local church body - worshipping Jesus Christ together.
Jacob's Well was born as that young worship team
with no idea that they would soon be headed into
a nearly full-time traveling ministry leading
worship for literally thousands of people
nationwide. Rob Loomis, his wife Elise, and Kevin
Blackwood have since traveled extensively all
over the United States sharing and leading others
in worship with the same passion that was evident
in their beginnings at Calvary Chapel.
The year following the release of their debut
album ‘Be Still’ (produced by
Inpop Records
artists Shane Barnard and
Shane Everett), the band toured both the
Pacific Northwest and the East Coast, playing
upwards of 60 concerts on their first tour
together. In March 2003 Jacob's Well was given
the opportunity to tour with Shane and
Shane on their west coast tour of WA, OR and
CA. The band captured their listeners each night
with a unique blend of 3-part harmonies, acoustic
guitars, percussion and most of all their ability
to put full sections of scripture to song; a
sound and style that was quickly taking shape to
become the signature of Jacob's Well. The close
friendship with Shane and
Shane during this season was a key ingredient
to the continued success of ‘Be
Still’ and to the band’s ability to
book themselves in new parts of the country they
had yet to visit.
During October 2004, Jacob’s Well toured
heavily across the U.S. Mainland & Hawaii in
support of their 2nd release, 'You Are Better'.
The album featured songs such as: 'Taste And
See', 'I Will Praise You', 'Sands', and the
nationally recognized worship song 'You Are
Better', all written by Rob & Elise Loomis.
Debuting at #3 on the top 40 at Independentbands.com,
You Are Better remained in the top 5 for five
additional months. Craig Mason
(Inpop Records/Centricity Records) asked the band
during this season to participate on the Life is
Precious: Wes King Tribute along with such
artists as Derek Webb,
Paul
Colman, Downhere, The Kry and others
to help raise money for Wes King and his
family during his struggle with cancer. Justin
McRoberts guest appears on the track
‘Salt Of The Earth’ that was recorded
by Jacob’s Well.
Jacob’s Well continued to tour heavily
during the rest of 2004 & 2005. After
returning home from their 3rd visit to Hawaii in
the winter of 2006, Jacob’s Well took a
short break to focus their attention on their
local church body as well as spending much needed
time with friends and family. It was during this
time that the band recorded their EP entitled
‘I Will See You’.
With the recent release of ‘I Will See
You’ (Produced by Jacob’s Well &
3 time Dove Award Winner Masaki Liu - The W's,
Five Iron Frenzy, Justin
McRoberts, Tooth & Nail Records,
Five Minute Walk Records), the band
shares new spiritual & musical maturity
while not turning from placing an emphasis on
God’s Word in their lyrics and
songwriting. ‘I Will See You’
debuted at #1 for two months at
Independentbands.com during the Fall of 2006
and was also featured in the
“Independent Spotlight” section of
the October 2006 issue of CCM Magazine.
Early 2007 found the band visiting the Hawaiian
islands for their 4th straight year of ministry
there as well as touring the western half of the
U.S. through the months of March, April and May,
sharing the stage with Shane &
Shane as well as Mat Kearney on a few
select dates.
As of this writing, Jacob's Well is on an
extended break from the road. Rob and Elise
recently welcomed their first child in August of
2008 while Rob has also accepted a position as
the Worship & Arts Pastor at Central
Christian Church in Snohomish WA. Kevin in the
meantime is busy as ever playing in other bands
around the area as well as teaching drums to 40+
students. They are eager to see what the Lord has
in store for each of them personally as well as
corporatley as Jacob's Well in the coming months
& years.
