1976 - 1977

Areas toured – Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario CA.

Original members of J C Cornerstone:

Kevin Byker – Drums

Don Elwell – Sound Support

Jim Hop – Lead Vocals

Armand Oliver – Lead Guitar

Dan Reitsma – Rhythm Guitar

Stan Sturing – Bass Guitar

Van Ten Napel – Keyboard, Vocal

Marge Van Den Berg – Piano, Vocal

  In January of 1976, Kevin, Marge, and Stan were part of a band that invited Dan to join. All the members attended either high school or college in northwest Iowa. This group played popular covers and some of Marge’s original songs. The group was together until May, when two members left, leaving Kevin, Marge, Stan, and Dan to continue. Over the summer, Val and Armand joined, and in the fall, Jim joined. Don also supported the band until the summer when Mike took his place. This group decided to name the band “J. C. Cornerstone,” referencing Psalm 118:22 in the Bible which reads, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”