Because Adam Jones must take some time off from playing in Judah First, at this time, Keyth Harkleroad is playing bass for Judah First full time. Adam Jones needed to take some time off for college and studies. Keyth is a native of Kingsport, TN and has performed in several great bands over the years.

"Besides being a jaw dropping good bass player, he has a wonderful heart and loves the Lord. Keyth has told me several times that his favorite part of playing with Judah First is being around all the cool people we get to meet."

James Aaron and Philip Meade both grew up in homes where their fathers were pastors, and were involved at a young age in Christian ministry, inspired by the examples of the adults in their formative years, being prepared for their own Christian music ministry that the Lord had planned for them.

Attending and actively participating in church and worship has always been a part of their lives. Their musical talents and goals have been encouraged and supported by their families, church music, youth programs, and the people in their church families as well. James Aaron had been singing in church all his life. Philip Meade started playing drums in high school and moved into playing guitar as he entered college.

The idea of forming a band happened in college where Philip Meade became friends with drummer Chris Rosenstone.

Philip Meade and drummer Chris Rosenstone were first drawn together by their love of the same kind of music in college, which resulted in a forming of their first band together. In 1996, Philip was listening to a heavy metal band called Iron Maiden in his dorm room. All of a sudden, there was a bang on the door and his suite mate, Chris Rosenstone, yelled from the other room, "Hey man, is that Iron Maiden ? Cool !" The two began talking about music and realized they had similar interests.

After starting a secular band called "Sojourn," the group played together for a few years, but always felt an important piece of the music was missing; "the aspect of a ministry for Christ with our music."

So, after a few band member changes, James Aaron was brought on board in 2000 and Judah First was born, called into a Christian music ministry mainly focused on the young music lovers of hard rock - heavy metal music. The name of the group was inspired by Judges 20:18. The tribe of Judah was to be the first to go into battle, obeying what the Lord had said. So, Judah First would be called into a music ministry, to actively reach out to the young people.

"The center of our music revolves around a message that young people need to hear, a real message for real teens. Relationships are hard, betrayal is hard, and it is easy to fall away from God."- Philip Meade

Besides being actively involved in this Holy Spirit inspired, energy driven music ministry, all the band members are busy in ministry in their home churches. "We are all active in church, Philip Meade is a youth pastor at a Baptist church and James Aaron is a worship leader at a church in East TN. We are fortunate to have a church body that supports the music and understands when we have to be away for several weeks."

Source : http://christianmusic.com/judah_first/judah_first.htm