Bearing Armor / Members

Nikki Sanders

Drummer Percussionist

Born 2 ½ months early and diagnosed with cerebral palsy she learned how to walk three times; but never let her disability stop her from experiencing all she wanted; including her pursuit of music. Nikki began playing drums when she was 9 years old; developing her talent by becoming involved in church and playing in the worship band. She grew up knowing there was a God but didn't have a relationship with Him. In high school she wandered away from God beginning a relationship with a boy who lead her astray. Focused on him, she skipped youth group to spend time with him, knowing all along, she should have been inviting him to church. During this time her parents were separated and on the verge of a divorce, so she took comfort in him instead of God. She became pregnant at 17, during her senior year in high school. Before her son was born, the father started showing signs of being controlling and emotionally abusive. As is the case with many abuse victims, she didn't recognize the signs until she began studying for her Bachelor's in Social Work. He had succeeded in isolating her from friends and family convinced her that she was replaceable and unwanted because of her disability. This relationship lasted for 5 years and during those years they had a son, got married, and bought house. She allowed him to put everything in his parent's names leaving her completely dependent on him. He had convinced her not to play drums because drums “are a man’s instrument” and pushed her to become someone new; not herself. Working with a counselor gave her the courage to leave him and find a safe place for her and her son to live. Soon thereafter she finished her bachelor’s degree and went on to complete her master's. Through all this, God used music to draw her back to Him. Connecting with Rob Leslie, the guitar player from Bearing Armor, drew her back into music once again. Through it all, she learned to lean on God regaining her dependence on the Lord. Her faith quote is “No matter how far I might stray. God has a way of drawing me closer to Him through music.”

Craig Reeves

Keyboardist Songwriter

Music has always been an important part of Craig's life. He started playing the trumpet in high school, and began writing songs in 1987. He received an Honorable Mention in a song contest for a song he composed which encouraged him to continue writing. Since then, he continues to write songs, and creates music on the piano and keyboards. Craig's love for the Lord has always been an important part of his daily life. Being an obedient follower of Christ is what he strives for each day. Love all, but serve only one. He is an ordained elder, deacon, and attends Colonial Presbyterian Church. Craig believes that music is a fair and glorious gift from God, and uses his gifts to write songs that glorify the Lord and praise His Name through music.

Mr. Rob

Bassist Drummer Guitarist Keyboardist

Rob is a multi-talented musicians who demonstrates outstanding ability to play four different instruments. Currently he is providing outstanding lead guitar and providing some keyboard fills on some songs. Rob is a songwriter and recently he and Roland have begun co-writing and have come up with some outstanding new material. They are anxious to return the the studio and lay down these new songs.

Miss Sallie

Vocalist

Miss Sallie is the co-founder of Bearing Armor and is married to Roland. She has outstanding harmony skills and can harmonize with nearly any style of music. She has the ability to sing heart wrenching ballads with a soft voice or can go to the other extreme and go raspy and "Tedeschi-like" and growl with the best of them. She brings an outstanding level of vocal talent to the band.

Roland

Band Songwriter Vocalist

Roland is the founder of Bearing Armor which started as a folk duo with his wife Miss Sallie. During the past three years they have grown from a folk duo to a six piece band - rockin' the Christian community in the Kansas City area. Roland writes most of the music that Bearing Armor performs and arranges the updated versions of the "old hymns" they pull out from time to time.