2008 Woodie Awards
Nockels say farewell to Watermark
Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Opinion
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Staff Writer
After almost a decade of heartfelt music and encouraging ministry, the powerful husband and wife duo, known as Watermark, played one of their last shows ever on Feb. 4 at Northside Baptist Church in Greenwood, S.C.
With songs ranging from the intimately sweet to the captivating and contagious, the recording artists had the attention of every person packed into Northside's gymnasium. Renowned for their generous nature with regard to their personal life and its relationship to the music they so willing share, fans were not disappointed to find that the band and played for two edge-of-your-seat, amazing hours.
True to form, this all-encompassing Watermark experience consisted of a little bit of rocking, some quiet and artistic tear-jerkers, a fair amount of worship and the ever-relevant stories that accompany the songs. It was clear that the group believed there was a greater purpose to their performing than just to entertain. Watermark used prayerful lyrics and their refreshingly rich musical style to testify of what God has done in their own lives as well as what he can do for all who look to Him.
Lead singer, Christy Nockels prayed that, "people will leave knowing that there is a God that is working and wants to work in their lives," and that, "they would leave being encouraged."
Nathan Nockels used his infectious acoustic guitar grooves, seemingly spontaneous vocal harmonies and elegant piano prowess to help deliver the message God has put on this couple's heart.
Watermark's songwriting has long allured the weary Christian as their songs seem to remarkably lift up the down trodden in any situation. Songs like "Knees To The Earth" and "Still" were steeped in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the goodness that is inevitable when God's people go to Him in prayer. And when they play songs like "Take Me There" and "All Things New" it is like weight lifted off the shoulders and joy spreads like wildfire.
When it came time for the encore the sincerity, so prevalent in the rest of the set, continued to be evident when Nathan and Christy began discerning requested, unreleased song titles being shouted steadily at them and of which they politely declined because they had not practiced the new songs with the band yet. The audience happily settled on a version of the old hymn, "I Come To The Garden," which dynamically flowed into "There Is None Like You" and will be featured on their soon to be released new CD.
Their official 18-city farewell tour kicks-off this spring with release of their final recording project A Grateful People which is a collective effort of favorites performed in their home church, Fellowship Bible in Franklin, Tenn., along with a couple new studio songs.
"Nathan and I have loved every part of the Watermark journey…We want to be available to God and really just in a place of asking him what is next. God is clearly calling us to close the Watermark chapter of our lives," said Christy.
It is hard to think about the end of Watermark but it is not the end their ministry.