Father's Day car show features new musical twist on some classics

Muscle cars, hot rods and antiques are always a hit at Iron Hill Father’s Day car show. This year, at the 17th annual show June 21, dads and sons can also enjoy a new twist on some classic music with Not Too Late, a cover band with an evangelical twist.

The show is hosted by Iron Hill Community Church and the Christian car club Cruizers for Christ.

Two years ago, Not Too Late was born when drummer David Turner (a painter by day) and lead guitarist Debbie Loftis (a private music teacher) discovered they shared a passion for rock and the Gospel. They thought, why not put the two together? They added lead singer Dawn Shaffer and bassist Craig Wetherby, and ever since then, the group has been working the Christian café scene from Claymont to Bear.

“Words always meant something to me,” said Turner, 43, of Newark. “I caught myself [as a teen] singing AC-DC’s ‘Hell’s Bells, ‘Highway to Hell’ and Rush’s ‘Closer to the Heart. What we’re saying actually matters.”

Loftis, 44, of Glasgow had a similar epiphany. She had been influenced by Led Zepplin, Jim Hendrix and Yes, among others. When she turned 20, she gave her life to Christ, but that style of music was still in her so she decided to play it with the message of Christ.

Today, Not Too Late re-worked covers include:

• Hendrix’ “Voodoo child,” as “Jesus Child”
• Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” as “Sunshine of His Love”
• Velvet Revolver’s “Slither” as “Come to the Father”
• Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Larry Had a Little Lamb” as “Jesus had a little lamb”

The band also has a collection of original songs, including “Shattered,” “Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth,” and “Big God.”

Often, the music is too rock for churches and too Christian for bars, and that is where the Christian cafés come into play.

“Our whole mission is to get the message out,” Loftus said. “It’s a good family environment.”

While Not Too Late attracts mostly a Christian crowd, all are welcome, Loftis and Turner said.