Search - Churchmen :: Traveling Through

Exciting bluegrass gospel group with well-grounded, rousing

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 36:40 -- From Virginia, The Churchmen are an exciting bluegrass gospel group with a well-grounded and rousing traditional sound, invigorating vocal harmonies, and a variety of original and cover material that ranges from fast numbers to slower ballads. After called into their ministry in 1989, the band started singing in churches and released three strong self-produced albums, "The Churchmen," "God Is Calling" and "Gospel Tradition." In 1995, their first national release, "Follow Me," offered an original title tune that received high acclaim and considerable airplay. They then produced "The Tie That Binds" and "The Drifter" on the Mountain Home (Horizon) label. "On The Journey Home," this talented band's 2003 project on the Pinecastle label, was nominated for a Dove Award (gospel music's most prestigious award) and for Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year. Its catchy, upbeat opening cut, "Get Onboard," has been on the Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths chart for over two years. Since that album's release, The Churchmen have added Rick Keen on resonator guitar (replacing fiddler Shannon Wheeler who left to stay home more with his family). Keen is a great young talent with previous experience in such bands as High Lonesome, Kickin' Grass, and Lonesome Pine.



This latest album continues "sharing the good news of Christ through music." The songs say things that will be a blessing to you. With energy and enthusiasm, The Churchmen show people that gospel music is fun and exciting with a repertoire that is well received at many venues. In churches, the focus is on message and meaning. At festivals, the band grabs attention by emphasizing adroit picking and evocative vocal harmonies, entertainment and drive. Take note of The Churchmen's ability to seamlessly blend their voices in trios or quartets, as well as to arrange their songs with just the right instrumentation to make them special and memorable. Appealing to both young and old, the band members build relationships and connect with the people they're playing for. An important aspect of their ministry is their spirituality, fellowship and ability to love one another as brothers and sisters. Perhaps most important to their success, The Churchmen realize that being a gospel group keeps them on a clear and focused mission.



Steve Martin is the songwriter of the bunch, and he had a hand in writing seven of the twelve songs. "Calvary Says It All" was co-penned with Paul Williams, and stresses the great significance of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion on a hill far away. There are also new inspirational originals from others, along with a couple songs with timeless messages presented in the past. Martin earnestly expresses attitudes and feelings while capturing an essence of traditional music. The uplifting songs bring comfort, joy and happiness. Emphasizing passion and respect, their Christian messages don't proselytize, yet they are able to provide spiritual guidance and direction. The Churchmen are reverent, solemn and humble. The instrumental prowess of The Churchmen is similarly dynamic, and the quintessential result of the whole is a unique, fresh, honest and exhilarating gospel sound that immediately lifts the spirit.



The Churchmen emphasize some recurrent theological threads in their gospel repertoire. Predominant themes include salvation, life's rocky road, and a call to act. Individual salvation is a primary theme found (at least implicitly) in nearly all of their songs. The vocalists sing of making it to that yonder city, being saved or touched by the hand of the Lord. "You Better Get In Line," "Glorious City," "Happy Home On High," "I'll See Heaven Some Sweet Day," "That Home Far Away," and "Sailing Home" are some examples. Life's rocky road indicates the journey that all Christians must endure. We must be strong and God will lead us through life's perilous path of sin. Numbers with this theme are "Calvary Says It All," "Bedside Prayer," "Happy Home on High," and "I've Come A Long Way." The latter speaks to being picked up from the sinking sands while on the glory road. In Danny Bowers' "Double Portion," we are reminded that we often take for granted the Lord's help that gets us through life. Sometimes we need a second serving of His love. The Churchmen acknowledge that "Lord It's A Hard Road Home" when our loved ones are gone and we are faced with life's journey alone. Steven Martin also sings "There's so much work to do and the helpers are few" in this beautiful Tom T. and Dixie Hall song. The good Christian's action orientation suggests that we must work hard to gain God's grace. We work on a building for the Lord, to further the Kingdom of God, and to improve the conditions of the world. The Churchmen provide an enlightened perspective for a related theme in "Thank You For Sending Your Son."



There is a certain feeling that one expects from a bluegrass gospel recording, and The Churchmen deliver. The lilting melodies and bracing rhythmic drive provide the foundation for the tender heartfelt sentiments of their largely original material. The entertaining and professional Churchmen continue to praise the Lord and sing unto Him a new song. They know that there is no better message than the word of Jesus Christ, they thank God for His guidance, and they hope that their musical mission will lead others to Him. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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