Hope was a Christian rock group from La Crosse, Wisconsin who released an album and three singles.

Jesters III history Before Hope existed there was a group from La Crosse, Wisconsin called Jesters III (not to be confused with the Jesters III from Gaffney, South Carolina). It consisted of Wayne McKibbin, Jim Burkhart and Tom Eisenman,Chicago Tribune Sept. 19, 1971 Page 23 The electric evangelists of Hope by Robert CrossThe La Crosse Tribune April 21, 1968 Page 20, Youth Beat, What do you think about a guy who majors in theoretical physics and plays rock and roll music? with Tom Eisenman being the group leader.The Racquet Thursday, May 6, 1965 Page 3 - Entertainment Committee Will Hold A Shindig They appear to have evolved out of an act called the Jim and Chuck Duo and another act, the Saffires.The Racquet Thursday, May 6, 1965 Page 1 - Campus Comings, Page 3 - Entertainment Committee Will Hold A ShindigLa Crosse Tribune August 12, 2012 Bands gathering one more time for salute to Lindy Shannon By May 1965, Jesters III had already undertaken an extensive tour visiting Washington, Nevada, and California. On May 10, 1965, at 9 pm, they were to appear at the shindig held at the U Bar in La Crosse.The Racquet Thursday, May 6, 1965 Page 1 - Campus Comings, Page 3 - Entertainment Committee Will Hold A Shindig In August 1965, coming straight off a tour of the West Coast, they were booked to play La Crosse's Hide-Away Bar on the 22nd of that month from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am.The La Crosse Tribune Page 7 Also in, 1965, a single, "Pledge Of Love" backed with "Say That I’m The One" was released on the Coulee label. It was produced by Lindy Shannon. The track on the A side was written by Jim Burkhart and Chuck Hall. The B side was composed by Ramona Reed.Kay Bank Custom Pressings A listing of Kay Bank Custom Pressed Records, Coulee 114 On October 13, 1966, they along with Valhalla were to play the "Shindig" for the Student Union. An event that ran from 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm.The Racquet Thursday, October 6, 1966 Page 5 WSU Calendar of Events In February 1967, they were booked to play the Varsity Club.The Racquet Friday, February 17, 1967 In April 1967, they were again booked to play the Varsity Club, from Friday 14th through to Sunday 16th.The Racquet Friday, April 14, 1967 Page 4 Varsity Club The student newspaper at Wisconsin State University-La Crosse, The Racquet, was a common means of advertising Jesters III performances. Members Jim Burkhart - bass Wayne McKibbin - guitar Tom Eisenman - drumsThe La Crosse Tribune April 21, 1968 Page 20, Youth Beat, What do you think about a guy who majors in theoretical physics and plays rock and roll music?

Hope history Hope came together in 1969. They were led by guitarist Wayne McKibbin. Other members were James Croegaert on piano, David Klug on bass, Boyd Sibley on organ and Jeff Cozy on drums.The Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday April 17, 1972 4A 3-Year-Old 'Hope' Band Is Pleasant, Inspirational Chuck Harold Before coming together as a group, some of the members were playing the rounds at the Midwestern bars and resorts. The group started playing at revivalist meetings, colleges, festivals in the mid west. They were led by Wayne McKibbin.Chicago Tribune Sept. 19, 1971 Page 23 The electric evangelists of Hope by Robert Cross

In April 1970, they appeared at the Sound Storm rock concert in Poynette, Wisconsin, a concert that also featured The Grateful Dead, Crow, Rotary Connection and Baby Huey & the Babysitters.Wisconsin Historical Society Boyd Sibley Performing OnstageRock Archaeology 101 Wednesday, December 23, 2009 York Farm, Poynette, WI April 24-26, 1970 Sound Storm: Grateful Dead/Illinois Speed Press/Mason Profitt/others On March 15, 1972, Hope and Chase were to appear at a concert held at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium.Raquet March 9, 1972 Page 4 Chase and Hope groups play concert March 15

In 1972, they had an album released on A&M Records called Hope.Discogs Hope (22) – Hope

The final concert for hope was held at Esofea Park in Esofea, Wisconsin. The event was an all day concert an included a picnic and farewell party. Several hundred fans and friends of the band turned up.

Later years In later years, Wayne McKibbin became a Protestant chaplain and was working with prison inmates as head Chaplain of the California State Prison in Susanville, CA.Sedona Creative Life Center Hope for World Peace Concert He put together the "Freedom from Addiction" program which drew upon his own personal experiences with certain things he had encountered in his own life, things which he felt God had helped him overcome.One Barrel At A Time: Mapping A Route Across The Prison Recidivism Desert Jack Carmichael Page 351 A Salute to the "Freedom from Addition" Program McKibbin died from cancer on July 4, 2005, aged 59.Westby Times March 29, 2006 Obituaries for week of March 30, 2006

Tom L. Eisenman became a pastor and author and was based in California. Along with his wife Judie, he would conduct bible studies centering on marriage and family issues.InterVarsity Press Tom L. Eisenman

James F. Burkhart earned a PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee in 1973. After teaching at Gallaudet University, he became Chair of the UCCS Physics Department and director of the Western Regional Radon Training Center. In 1982, he received the Campus Outstanding Teaching Award. In 1986, he received the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award and in 1995, he received the Chancellor's Award.University of Colorado, Colorado Springs James F. Burkhart As of 2019, he is an emeritus Professor at UCCS.WRRTC Radon Measurement Class

Line up Version I (1969–72) Jeff Cozy - drums, percussion, vocals James Croegaert - keyboards, vocals Wayne McKibbin - guitar, vocals Boyd Sibley -keyboards, vocals David Klug - bass, vocals Version II (1972) James Croegaert - keyboards, vocals Tom Eisenman - drums, percussion (replaced Jeff Cozy) Wayne McKibbin - guitar, vocals Boyd Sibley - keyboards, guitar David Klug - bass, vocalsBadcat Records Hope, Band Members

Discography

Singles The Jesters III - "Pledge Of Love" / "Say That I’m The One" - Coulee 114 - (1965)Discogs The Jesters III Hope - "One Man" / "Where Do You Want To Go" - Coulee C45-134 - (1968)45Cat Artist: Hope (Wisconsin) C45-134 "Where Do You Want To Go" / "Little Things" - A&M Records – 1355 - (1972)Discogs Hope (22) – Where Do You Want To Go / Little Things

Albums Hope - Hope - A&M Records SP 4329 - (1972)On A&M Records Hope

Compilations Jesters III - "Say That I'm The One" on Various Artists - Gravel Volume 4 - Kumquat May KMGR 00004 - (2007)Discogs Various – Gravel Volume 4

References

External links Wayne McKibbin Obituary Hope article at Chicago Tribune by Robert Cross