music

Mojo Prophets ‘uncover’ classic rock

Middletown group ‘not a Christian rock band’ but ‘a band of Christians.’

Contributed photo Mojo Man (left), Mojorita, Mojo Momma, and Mojo X of the Mojo Prophets, are based in Middletown.

ENLARGE PHOTO

By Pamela Dillon, Contributing Writer 2:52 AM Saturday, September 17, 2011

The local band the Mojo Prophets played the Taste of Wine event in Miamisburg on Sept. 10, and early in the first set, when they started playing “I Feel Fine,” audience members at were up off their seats and dancing in the courtyard. After that, it was time to “Twist and Shout” and take a “Free Ride.”

The stage set adds to a show that the band’s website bills as “equal parts spectacle and outrage.” Playful props harken back to 1960s and ’70s, with disco balls and two colorful curtain backdrops. As your eyes adjust to the lights, two black-and-white visuals come into focus: a long, slim “Testify” banner, and the image of a laughing Jesus on the drum-face with a cross symbol for the “T” in Prophets.

“We’re not a Christian Band; we’re a band of Christians,” said James Hollihan, known as J to his friends and bandmates. “We’re trying to promote the idea that God is not just a God of emergencies and hard times; he’s also a God of celebrations and feasts.”

And celebrating life is what the band does. J is Mojo X, who plays guitar, sings and supplies intrigue. His wife, Pam Hollihan, is Mojo Momma, who supplies vocals, percussion and interpretive dance. Flor Byrd is Mojorita (vocals, percussion and keeper of the “shiny lights”). Her husband, Billy Byrd, is Mojo Man, who sings and plays the drums with help from his “superpowers.”

“It was one of those divine things. I met my wife on a Christian singles site about three years ago, and we ended up getting married,” Mojo X said. “I moved here from Nashville, and we started attending the Monroe First Church of God where Billy and Flor were longtime members.”

All four had an intense interest in music and performed together in the choir. When 1950s music was needed for a local car show, they volunteered. They had so much fun that kept it going. They came up with the band name, and Mojo Momma sewed their costumes, part of the spectacle.

Mojo Man wears a mask and a shiny cape, Mojo X sports a long, nehru-type jacket, Mojo Momma prefers a mini-dress and long white boots and Mojorita wears outrageous hats and flouncy skirts.

“I’m an old hippie; I’ve lived it,” said Mojo Mamma.

The music is a mix of ’50s to ’70s sounds, and, according to J, they are an “uncover” band. That is, they uncover the mojo in classic rock. They do have a few original songs, including “Got That Mojo Working” and “Mr. Coffee.” The band’s office is in Middletown; they practice at the studio in the Byrd’s Carlisle home.

“We have a family, but kids grow up, and it’s really important that Billy and I have something to share,” said Mojorita, whose 14-year-old son, Ian, helps out as a roadie. “Why not be married and happy, have fun, and share things with one another?”