What's the Three Dog Night connection?

One of the bands that had the greatest influence on ApologetiX in the early days was Three Dog Night. Some of the first Christian parodies J. ever wrote were parodies of the Three Dog Night hits "Joy to the World," "Never Been to Spain" and "Shambala." That parody of "Shambala" actually became the first experimental studio recording the band ever made.

The band eventually recorded a revised parody of "Joy to the World" called "Boy Tell the World" (on "Adam Up") and a parody of "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" called "Mama Told Me (What's to Come)" on "Keep the Change." The recording of "Boy Tell the World" featured keyboards by Steve Carroll, a former studio musician who arranged, recorded and toured with Three Dog Night in the early 1970's. Steve also played or recorded with a number of other popular acts, such as the Guess Who, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley. Steve is now worship leader and pastor of New Freedom Fellowship in Rockmart, GA, and we first met him at a concert we played last fall in Georgia.

We recently learned that another former touring member of Three Dog Night (and current touring member of America) has discovered ApologetiX. Here are more details on that in an excerpt from an email we received from a fan of ours named Michelle Switzer:

"Remember I told you about my brother the drummer? We drove to the coast and saw America a few nights ago. Remember "Horse With No Name?" They were very good. I gave the bass player, Rich Cambell, a couple of your CD's. He used to play with Three Dog Night, and thought 'Mama Told Me (What's to Come)' was AWESOME!!!!

"Rich and my brother used to play at our restaurant in Tarzana CA from 1985 to 1991. Since then, Wayne (bro) has played with Dave Mason, Ronnie James Dio, and went on the road with Three Dog Night. Rich Cambell has played with Pat Benatar, Natalie Cole, Three Dog Night, and Dave Mason. They also went to the Nelson Mandella concert in Europe."