COVERED:  COVERED was originally formed as a part of Matthew Moran & Company – The Christian Worship & Entertainment Provider in an effort to provide a Christian cover band that could perform for local churches, youth rallies and as an outreach to the local community.  In May of 2004, Matthew Moran invited his close friends Rick Heath, Paul McCracken and Steve Pederson to join him in the venture of forming this Christian band.  Having all performed professionally in the world, they equally sought to use their talents glorifying the Lord by producing Christian music and performing it in the music mission field.

Not long after coming together, the band was sought to perform at The Southland Worship Concert at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL.  The concert included professional performers from throughout the country as well as local talent.  The response was overwhelmingly positive.  The band continued on with the goal of producing their first demo to help enable them to reach a wider audience. 

Since those early days COVERED has evolved to become a full-fledged band performing a mixture of both covers and ORIGINAL music. They have recently recorded the original debut single release entitled, "Take Me Home" that is available wherever they perform and will soon be available online, as well.

RICK HEATH (Bass Guitar/Vocals): Rick brings his multiple musical talents to Covered.  In addition to being an excellent bass player, Rick has also performed as a guitarist and drummer for over 5 years in several other bands throughout Chicagoland.  He has performed at the famous House of Blues, Joe’s, Cubby Bear, Durty Nellie’s, Otto’s in Dekalb and numerous other venues throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest.  A native of Naperville, IL, Rick holds a Bachelors Degree in Media Communication from Northern Illinois University.

Rick was approached on the street a few years ago and was asked to study the Bible, which he agreed to do so that he could finally dismiss Christianity once and for all.  From the first study, however, his long-held doubts about faith, the Bible and Jesus unraveled and he became a Christian about a month later.  If he had not already been humbled by the present circumstances of his own life he knows he would not have been open to the message of the Bible.  He now strives to live his life sharing the Good News that was shared with him with whomever God puts in his path.

PAUL MCCRACKEN (Keyboards/Vocals): Though often found touring the world, everywhere from Germany to Saudi Arabia with Motown favorites: The Supremes and The Temptations, Paul is also a prolific composer and dedicated member of Covered.  Some of his compositions include “Sun by Day (Moon by Night)” a choral setting of Psalm 121, “The Gates of Jerusalem”:an operetta taking selected passages from Jeremiah's Lamentations, “Lux Aeterna”: a choral setting of the historic Latin text and “Because of the Angels”: a collection of Christian songs.  Paul is currently working on “Rachel”: dedicated to the Russian families who suffered in early September, “Adam”:a modern song setting of Psalm 25 and “Daniel and the Three Kings”: a musical drama based on the book of Daniel.  This last work is in collaboration with Covered member Matthew Moran, after their previous success with the Christian children’s musical, “The Missing Smile”.  Paul teaches private piano and music theory and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Having been actively involved in the church for over 20 years, Paul's greatest passion is serving the Lord with his talents.   In addition to his performing and composing credits, Paul also serves as one of the music directors for his church.  Paul’s mission and dream is to be fully employed serving the Lord

MATTHEW MORAN (Lead Vocals): Matthew, who was raised attending church and became a Christian in 1996, has been performing professionally literally since he could walk and talk.  Doing his first television commercial at the age of 3 for Cap’n Crunch cereal triggered the performance bug that had him cast in the National Touring Company of the musical Evita by the age of 7.  Continuing to pursue his performing skills on into college, Matthew attended the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England where he studied Shakespeare along with Modern Theatre and was personally trained under the tutelage of Sir Benjamin Kingsley(Gandhi, Schindler’s List).  Having an ongoing love for music, Matthew decided to expand his performing spectrum midway through his university years by auditioning for the School of Music at DePaul University, where he later earned his Bachelor of Music with Honors in Vocal Performance.  It was during this time that God started to reveal to Matthew that there was more to life than an acting and singing career.  Matthew’s true conversion took place and he committed his life to serving Christ.  So much so that he gave up his worldly ambitions and entered the full-time ministry serving as a Youth & Worship Pastor for 7 years. 

Matthew now devotes his full time and energy to serving the Lord through the Performing Arts and helping other Christian artists do the same through his company Matthew Moran & Company.   In addition to singing, Matthew is also an accomplished actor, drummer, composer, director and teacher.

STEVE PEDERSON (Guitars/Mandolin/Vocals): Steve began playing guitar at the age of 15.  His first lessons on the guitar were from an admired youth minister at his church.  After beginning to learn guitar on an acoustic, Steve picked up the electric guitar and expanded his musical repertoire to include the classic rock genre, which he explored until he became a music student at the University of Minnesota.  While taking classes at the U of M with no declared major, Steve was met by a fellow music student who introduced him to some believers that shared the scriptures with Steve in more depth than he had ever discovered.  From that study of the scriptures Steve learned what it was to become a true disciple of Jesus and then committed his life to the Lord.  After becoming a Christian, many things in Steve's life began to take a more clear direction.  He majored in Classical Guitar Performance, receiving his degree in the fall of '92.  From there he went on to teach and perform, including performing with his church band in Minneapolis.  He was soon invited to help build an Arts and Entertainment ministry in Chicago.

Steve has been given the opportunity to glorify God performing for auditorium filled crowds throughout the Midwest and Canada.  Steve continues to serve the Lord as a musician for his church and strives to also serve Him by reaching out through music to the lost world.