AUGUST 13, 2011 @ 6 PM

The name The Shepherds has become synonymous with Gospel Music. In the early 90’s the group was formed out of Sandersville, GA and has turned into a mainstay in Gospel Music. Their true family harmony and added youthfulness creates a unique vocal blend with a progressive sound that is re-defining gospel music for future generations. Although their roots are primarily Southern Gospel, The Shepherds latest recording, “Reality” features a variety of styles and genres in Christian Music that seem to be connecting with a diverse group of audiences. The Shepherds perform mostly original material written by group member Debra Shepherd. Debra has not only become a respected writer for The Shepherds, but has also had many songs to be released nationwide and into other countries such as Ireland, Honduras, Africa, and Russia. Many mainstream artists have also recorded her songs, including groups such as The Freemans, The McKameys, The Hoppers, The Hoskins Family, The Inspirations, and The Kingsmen, just to name a few… Some of the songs made popular by The Shepherds that have reached national chart status Consist of, “A Friend of God,” “Oh Yes He Is,” “It’ll Be Hard Not Cry,” “There’s Still Time For A Miracle,” “God Will Never Run Out Of Blessings,” and their signature song “There’s A Miracle In The Making”. Continuing the momentum, The Shepherds current recording with Dove Music, Reality, has been turning industry heads since it hit the shelves. The first two radio releases “A Black Heart” and “On My Way To A Miracle” went into the Singing News Top 30. The Shepherds hit single “On My Knees” reached the Top 10 for Singing News Magazine, and was #25 for Top 40 songs of 2007. And their last single “I Am Here” peaked at #15 in the Singing News chart and #3 in The Christian Voice chart. The Shepherds have appeared on many prestigious stages, such as Wild Adventures theme park, SGM FanFair, National Quartet Convention, one of the top 5 Fireworks shows in the Nation (located in Knoxville, TN), churches, auditoriums, theaters, and many television appearances including T.B.N - Praise The Lord, Daystar Television Network‘s Celebration, plus many other media networks. The Shepherds have firmly established their place in Gospel Music. The Shepherds Award accomplishments include nominations for the SGM FanFair/Us Gospel “Mixed Group of the Year” for 2005, and SGM FanFair “Young Excelling Individual” of 2008 awarded to Jonathan Shepherd. Group member Debra Shepherd was also very honored to receive the Georgia Songwriters Award. The Shepherds are a family affair with group members: Quint & Debra Shepherd, son Jonathan, and their twin girls Haley and Hope along with Wallace Smith and Sheri Haynes. It is all of the group members desire to reach the lost and to give the audience something they can take with them to face life’s challenges. Despite the success and doors that God is continually opening, The Shepherds are a family that remain devoted to the calling and purpose on which their ministry was founded.

ENGLISH FAMILY QUARTET

The English Family Quartet is among the most talented in the Southern Gospel Music industry. It would be our pleasure for you to know a little about each one of them. James (Jim) English Jr. Husband, Dad, Musician, Singer, Manager, Bus Driver, Mechanic & Preacher. The Oldest child of James & Anita English Sr. of Keystone Heights, Florida. Jim has been playing the saxaphone for more than 30 years. Traveled full to part time with Loretta Carter & the Sounds of Praise for more than 10 years. This is how Jim & Wendy met back in 1987. Married in 1988 to a young lady by the name of Wendy Bussell. They now travel together with their three children and son in law that God has blessed them with. Wendy Gail English Office Manager, Booking Coordinator, Piano Player, Lead Vocalist, Mom & Wife to Jim English Wendy is the Middle daughter to Rev. Jerry & Dorothy Bussell of Rogersville, Tennessee. Raised in Romulus, Michigan her dad was a pastor of a small church in Ecorse, MI. This is where the desire to travel and sing was rooted in her at a very young age of 12. Wendy has faced many opsticles in her life such as the loss of her kidneys in 2001. She has a wonderful testimony that she shares with everyone at any chance. God has truly proven Himself faithful to this lady. Michael Willis Mike: Bus Driver, Mechanic, Husband to Loressa English Willis, Musician and Bass Singer. Mike is the only child of Rick & Janice Willis of Yuma, VA. Mike started singing the bass part at a young age of 13. Loressa Gail Willis LORESSA ENGLISH WILLIS: Wife of Mike Willis, Sings Saprano and musician Loressa is the oldest child of Jim & Wendy English. She has been singing with her family for 8 years and does a wonderful job at it. She was saved at a very young age of 11 and has a burning desire to travel with her family. Megan Nichole English Megan is the youngest child of Jim & Wendy English. She is 18 years old and plays the fiddle (when she wants to), sings the Alto when needed. Helps mom in the kitchen and keeping the bus cleaned up. Megan enjoys texting her friends and family, shopping and driving around with her brother. She was saved at a very young age of 10. She is a blessing to her family and friends. God has a GREAT work for her to do.

CHOSEN HARMONY

Chosen Harmony is introducing today's youth to Southern Gospel again by involving teens in the group along with a long time local “entertainer,” Anthony Mangrum. This is basically how the group began: In the Summer of 2009, 16-year-old, high school junior, was asked to put together some special music for his Church's Homecoming service. Justin then began to seek out other local singers he knew to help him get started. The first person Justin asked to help with vocals was classmate, Adam McCracken. Adam, a 17-year-old senior, agreed and told his uncle, Anthony Mangrum about the new group he was becoming a part of. Anthony agreed to play the piano and help the group with harmonies. So, after three rehearsals, the trio performed at the 2009 Homecoming service at Temple Freewill Baptist Church. “It was then that we felt that something “Greater” wanted us to continue,” Mangrum said. Blake Quesenberry, a friend from Mangrum's church and Booher's former classmate, was known to play the guitar. Booher also knew that Quesenberry was a singer as well. To the surprise of the other group members, they realized that Blake had an amazing voice...a gift from God, said Mangrum. Soon afterward, Booher recruits another classmate, 16-year-old Adam Harlow, to play drums. The group said Harlow's musical gifts fit like a glove. As the son of a minister, Anthony Mangrum, grew up in his father's church playing the piano and singing every chance he had. Mangrum said his mother would lay him in a piano bench when he went to sleep in church as a baby. Hearing the singing and piano playing throughout his childhood must have helped Mangrum's natural talent for singing and playing piano by ear. Mangrum is one of the most talented musicians I, personally, have ever heard. He has truly been touched by God's hand.As with many groups, members come and go for various reasons. But on October 31, Chosen Harmony was happy to welcome Kris Mangrum, Anthony's 19-year-old son, and Taylor Pullen, also 19, to the group. “This Group we feel was "Chosen" for this time,” Mangrum said, “and will continue as long as we feel God wants us to do so.”

KEEN MOUNTAIN BROTHERS

The Keen Mountain Brothers are a local group which consist of Mike Compton, Robert Deel, Mack Osborne, Billy Clifton, Tommy Osborne, Shelia Jackson and Sharon Matney. They all attend Keen Mountain Pentecostal church and have been singing together for over 25 years. They love and serve the lord through their lives and their songs. They have been blessed to see many souls saved and lives touched and encouraged through their years of service to the Lord. Our hearts desire is to continue in his service until he returns for his church.