Classification: Senior
Major: Integrated Marketing Communications 
Hometown: Hobbs, New Mexico
Voice Part: Tenor

A Senior Integrated Marketing Communications Major from Hobbs, New Mexico, Robert Cantu is returning to Best Friends for a third season. Robert is one of those students who didn’t even know he could sing until he came to LCU and was invited to come to a choir rehearsal. He soon showed himself to be a solid tenor, and by his Sophomore year, had been elected as a choir officer, and was selected by audition to be a member of Best Friends. Robert never knows a stranger, and always knows someone wherever we travel. Last year, he served as President of LCU’s Student Body, and this year, he’s also singing in Chamber Singers and in the choir where he serves this year as Choir President. You’ll remember Robert’s strong tenor lead on “My Light” from last year’s album. He also sang lead vocals on the album’s signature song, “On Our Way.” On this year’s set, listen for Robert as he’ll be featured on many songs, including “Good Day,” “Running Home,” “When I Grow Up,” and “Your Love”, and “Perfectly Loved.”

Classification: Sophomore
Major: Biblical Text
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
Voice Part: Bass 

A Sophomore from Amarillo majoring in Biblical Text, Matthew Duvall returns for a 2nd season to Best Friends. After you hear him speak, you immediately know that he sings bass. Singing the rhythm bass often means not getting to sing lyrics, usually “dum, dum, dum” or “do-do-dah..”, and so on, but the bass rhythm has provided a staple to what has become our signature sound. Matthew’s background, playing bass violin and singing bass through his senior year in Tascosa High School’s ensembles, has served him well as a member of BF. He also serves as Chaplain this year for the LCU choir. This year you will get to hear a brief solo from him on actual lyrics on the song “Running Home". Matthew is a perpetual optimist and is always ready to greet you with a smile. We are blessed to have Matthew in Best Friends!

Classification: Sophomore
Major: Natural Resource Management
Hometown: Forsan, Texas
Voice Part: Vocal Percussion

A Sophomore at LCU this year, Malaki Rodgers is also new to Best Friends. Malaki grew up in Forsan, Texas near Midland, and enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo, and also participated with his church youth group in Leadership Training for Christ. He comes to LCU majoring in Natural Resource Management, and has served as a camp counselor for White River Youth Camp. Malaki’s contribution to Best Friends is very obvious—listen for all of the drumming sounds, and you’ll hear Malaki. He truly has a fine voice, and sings in the Praise Choir this year as well, but you’ll primarily hear him on vocal percussion with Best Friends. While it's easy to take that for granted, we truly miss hearing him on the rare occasion that he’s not with us! We are blessed to have Malaki in BF this year!

Classification: Junior
Major: Business
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Voice Part: Sound Technician

A Junior Business Major from Lubbock, Ben Haley returns to Best Friends for his second season as sound technician, but for his third season overall. Ben is a man of many talents, and actually sang bass and vocal percussion in Best Friends during his freshman year. You can hear him sing lead on the song Can’t Take That Away from the CARA nominated album, Faithful God, released in early February 2023. You can also hear his vocal percussion on several of the other songs from that album. Ben has performed in almost every ensemble on campus, and continues to be a dedicated member of Praise Choir, Chamber Singers, and Symphonic Band where he plays percussion. Additionally, he was recently hired to work full-time for LCU as Mutli-Media Coordinator, where he runs sound and media for weekly chapel, special dinner and/or speaking events, and many other performance events held on campus. Whether on the road or at home, Ben has made sure that all equipment is functioning properly and the levels are just right for the group to sound their best. We are so grateful for the role that Ben continues to fill in Best Friends.

Classification: Junior
Major: Early Childhood Education
Hometown: Childress, TX
Voice Part: Alto

Jessie Holder is a junior from Childress majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications. Returning for a second season to Best Friends, Jessie also continues to sing in the Praise Choir. She is serious about her craft and is always seeking ways to improve her already rich voice. You may remember her smooth lead vocals on the song "Build a Boat" from last year's album as it remained an audience favorite in our concert set. Jessie continues to provide a solid alto to the group this year, and further adds many step out lead harmonies to compliment the other various lead voices in many of our songs. Listen for her rich vocals again this year on our covers of "Running Home," and "Your Love". We are all so excited to have Jessie back this year!

Classification: Freshman
Major: Music & Worship Ministry
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Voice Part: Baritone 

Ethan Christian is a Freshman Music & Worship Ministry Major from Waco. Ethan brings a wealth of both ministry and worship experience, having participated in extended mission trips to Croatia and having completed training with the Worship Leader Institute. At Midway High School in Waco, Ethan carried leadership roles in band, orchestra, and choir. He also played lead roles in the school’s musical theatre productions. He has recorded with Praise and Harmony, and has developed refined skill as a worship leader. Currently, Ethan sings tenor in Chamber Singers and baritone in Praise Choir, and plays trumpet in the symphonic band. In Best Friends, Ethan’s wide vocal range allows him to provide a “utility voice,” filling in vocals anywhere we need him, from bass or baritone to tenor or even alto. Listen for Ethan’s moving lead vocals this year on “These Days,” “Running Home,” and even his super high falsetto tones on “Bulletproof.” Ethan’s smile is contagious and we know you’ll be inspired by Ethan in BF this year!

Classification: Junior
Major: Mass Media
Hometown: Abernathy, Texas
Voice Part: Alto

Raylee Moore is a junior Mass Media major from Abernathy, and returns to Best Friends for her third season. Along with Bennett, she also grew up attending Quaker Avenue Church of Christ in Lubbock, and has continued the strong tradition of BF members from this church. Raylee adds a great deal to the group, and you’ll remember her movingly smooth alto leads on several songs from the last two years, including “Ain’t Nobody” on last year’s album ON OUR WAY. Her song on the FAITHFUL GOD album, Heart of the Father, was recorded during her freshman year, and was actually nominated by Contemporary A Cappella Society in the category of best religious song for 2023. This year, Raylee has seen a growth in her vocal range, giving her the ability to sing soprano as well as alto. She also sings in Chamber Singers and serves as Chaplain in the choir. This year, be sure to listen for her solo voice featured on “Running Home” and “Gonna Be Good."

Classification: Freshman
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Voice Part: Tenor

Bennett Hawley is a Freshman Pre-Nursing Major from Lubbock, coming to us as a graduate from Lubbock Christian School, where he was active in band, choir, football, basketball, and track and student government. He also follows a long line of students over the years who grew up at Quaker Avenue Church of Christ and went on to sing in Best Friends. Bennett adds a solid tenor to the group, where he fills in the inner harmonies. You’ll also hear him sing powerful leads on this year’s covers of Take it All Back, Running Home, and Counting My Blessings. In addition to Best Friends, Bennett is a member of the LCU Choirs, singing in both Praise Choir and Chamber Singers. We are blessed to have Bennett!

Classification: Junior
Major: Integrated Marketing Communication
Hometown: Waxahachie, TX
Voice part: Soprano

Ella Simpson returns for a 2nd year to the group this year as a Junior Integrated Marketing Communications major from Waxahachie, Texas. Ella brings much experience from musical theatre and worship leading, and even has written many of her own songs. Ella’s sweet spirit and genuine desire to serve the Lord and others has made a lasting impression on the group. You may remember her extraordinarily moving lead vocals on the song “You Will Be Found,” featured on last year’s concert set that also made lasting impressions on several in our audiences. Singing both alto and soprano harmonies this year, Ella will also be featured as lead vocalist on our covers of “Running Home” and “Perfectly Loved.”