Listen to sound bites too!

First single "Bread and Water", hits radio today, March 5th.

The Churchmen want to welcome a great friend to the line-up of the band - Carroll Arnn. Carroll has been a close associate to the band for many years and it is great to have in on stage with us after all of this time. Carroll first contributed to the band in the 1990's when he penned several songs that The Churchmen recorded. "The King is on His Throne", "The Tie that Binds", and "Sailing with The Savior" are Carroll Arnn originals that were recorded on Churchmen CD's. In addition to being a great song writer, Carroll is also very versatile musician. He plays banjo, fiddle and guitar on Churchmen sets and can probably play anything else with strings! Carroll is also a great vocalist and will be singing some lead and lots of harmony vocals with the new Churchmen line-up. We already have plans to record some of Carroll's new original tunes that will feature his vocal abilities. Look for "Bread and Water" to be recorded and sent to radio soon.

Carroll is also a wonderful person and example of what a Gospel musician should be. Carroll is a leader in his local church and has a great Christian testimony. His actions and words speak volumes, and he has already been a great asset to the band on and off stage. Carroll has played in bands for several years. He played with his own family band and most recently played with The Church Sisters. Carroll resides in Danville, VA with his lovely wife, Bet. They have 2 beautiful daughters, Brittany and Amanda, and also have 2 grandsons Levi and Leland.

It's with mixed emotion that we say that after 23 years Freddy has decided to take some time off. We have traveled thousands of miles since 1989 and he says its time to stay home some. Freddy's family, "The Rakes Family", has a wonderful Gospel group and has started playing more regularly and Freddy wants to spend more time with them. Fred Rakes is a retired Pastor and still loves to preach and sing and it's great that Freddy gets to be a part of his Dad's and family's ministry. Words can't express the debt of gratitude that we owe Freddy for his service to The Lord. Countless untold hours have been spent down through the years in maintaining busses, bookkeeping, and all of the behind the scene stuff that Freddy has done, not to mention the thousands of concerts performed and the countless sleepless nights spent driving. It was truly a labor of love and we are forever in his debt. Thanks Freddy and God Bless you. We love you man!

The Churchmen would like to announce the addition of a primary sponsor - The Nelson Automotive Group. Autosbynelson.com will provide travel vehicles for the Churchmen on the road, primarily a white Ford 15 passenger van. This is a great blessing to the band and such a wonderful show of support for The Gospel and the community by the Nelson Group. Barry Nelson says "The Churchmen have a great message and we wanted to support that. We have been friends with Keith and the guys for a long time and are glad to be associated with them".

"This is the first sponsorship of this type that the band has received and we are thrilled to no end" according to Keith Clark of the Churchmen. "What a blessing to have a lot of the worry of travel taken from us. We have been working on busses for a lot of years and this is way easier and better! Thank the Lord, Barry, and the whole Nelson Group for such a blessing!".

To all of our fans and friends we want to encourage you to do business with any of the Nelson dealerships. Guys in the band have recently purchased vehicles from Nelson Auto dealerships and can personally attest that they have the best price and service. The Nelson group has dealerships of multiple brands that are located all around the Martinsville - Henry County VA area. Call them at 800-401-6234 or check them out at www.autosbynelson.com

The band is also blessed to have such a solid foundation. The three founding members who make up the core of the band are very talented in their own right, and have established the standard for the band's message, signature harmonies, and hard driving music. They are Freddy Rakes on banjo, Gerald Harbour on mandolin, and Keith Clark on Bass Fiddle. Christian Gillikin plays the fiddle with the band and he is well known as one of the finest musicians in the business. Jerry Haga handles the sound duties. Jerry is a veteran sound man and has been another real difference maker for the band.

The Churchmen have been blessed with a great pedigree of successes. Since their inception in 1989 they have traveled the country and abroad performing their distinctive Bluegrass sound. The band has twice garnered Dove Award nominations, Gospel Music's most prestigious award, for Bluegrass Gospel album of the Year, and Bluegrass Song of the Year. They have also received over twenty nominations in different categories from The Society of Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA). They have performed on the Ryman Theater stage, International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)show cases, and the IBMA Bluegrass Fan Fest. The Churchmen song "Get Onboard" was #1 on Bluegrass Now Magazine's Gospel Truths chart and remained on the top 20 chart for 3 ½ years.

Please look for The Churchmen in your area and please check out a performance schedule, bios, and more information on the band's website at www.TheChurchmen.com or like us on Facebook.

The group would also like to take this time to thank Glenn Waller for all his contributions over the past 2 ½ years. Glenn is a very talented man, great friend, and a great person to travel with.

We just wanted to take a moment and say thank You, Lord. We want to acknowledge our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. He is who we get our strength and life from. Thank you, Lord for salvation, and all of your blessings on our lives. We enjoy a bluegrass tune now and again, but it is such a blessing to have been a GOSPEL band for more than 20 years. We always want to stand true to our beliefs and to THE LORD. Thanks be unto The Lord of Glory - You are worthy to be praised. If you are struggling, or if your life is great, Christ is always the best thing that can happen to you!

The Churchmen have a Facebook page and we want you to be a part of it. It seems that Facebook has taken over the internet and most people seem to be involved. We update news, photos, comments, and various personal, and group news on our page. Please look The Churchmen up and interact with the band. Gerald Harbour is our Facebook guy and he does a great job keeping everything up to date. Log on, like us today, and say hello to Gerald or any of the other guys.

Finally after a long time we are planning a new recording. We are in negotiations with record companies and are planning on finalizing those plans soon and are ready to get started recording! We are looking forward to getting David, Carroll, Gerald, and Keith in the studio with the new material and see what we can come up with. It is an exciting time to say the least and we believe this can be the best configuration of The Churchmen ever. Stay tined for more updates coming soon.

God again blessed us with a busy year in 2012. We would like to thank our booking agent for his hard work! Keith Clark books the group, and he is currently booking for the 2013 season. We are looking forward to playing a lot of the shows that we do on an annual basis. Please contact Keith Clark at 276-340-5209 or e-mail Click Here to Email Keith for more information

We would like to mention again that although we enjoy playing festivals and other venues, that our hearts are still in ministering in churches. This has always been, and will continue to be, a priority for our group. If your church would like to have a Churchmen concert during a regular service or special event, please contact us! Thanks for your support.

We are thrilled to report that The Churchmen were again nominated by the SPBGMA organization for Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year / Traditional for 2012. We have been truly honored to be nominated for a SPBGMA award for more than 20 times! We plan to be at the 2013 show and want to see all of you there! We want to take this time to thank the fans and friends for nominating The Churchmen and ask that you again consider us in 2013. If nominated next year we want to also ask for all of the attendees at the SPBGMA convention in February to consider voting for The Churchmen! Thanks again to everyone who has voted for us in the past, and a big vote of appreciation to Chuck Stearman and his staff for the first class operation of SPBGMA and all of their events. We have been nominated for 20 years in at least one of the Gospel categories and that's very flattering and encouraging to us. Please visit the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America website at www.spbgma.com.

We are really thrilled about the airplay and attention that the new CD, "I'LL Be Long Gone", is still getting. Several cuts from the project are showing up on playlists across the country. The CD has also showed up in the top 50 on the Roots Music Report for Bluegrass! Thanks to all of the DJ's and friends who are playing the songs and requesting them! Please call or e-mail your local DJ, or XM - Sirius to request Churchmen tunes. Thanks again!

We are still really excited about our latest CD, "I'LL Be Long Gone" that was released to retail a couple of years ago and is still going strong. The project features 7 original tunes written by our own David Guthrie, along with Jason Barie, Rick Pardue, and Josh Manning. David penned 4 of the originals with Jason, Rick, and Josh each contributing one song each. The remaining songs are Bluegrass Gospel standards or re-makes with a new twist. We were truly thrilled to get the new band configuration recorded. David's lead vocals certainly blended well with the Churchmen sound. This project features some contemporary tunes combined with the straight ahead Bluegrass that is a Churchmen trademark .We recorded the project again with Dale Perry producing at Lakeside studios and we believe is definitely our best effort to date. The CD is available now at Churchmen shows, on this website, The Music Shed, County Sales and in your favorite retail outlets.

Here are a couple of early quotes from DJ's.

I got the new CD last week and played it Saturday and Sunday and the NUMBER ONE FAVORITE down here is "Rocked On The Deep" - that is some great stuff. The whole CD is GREAT. Keep 'em coming. - Jimmy Strange WJFC FM Jefferson, TN & WMTN AM Morristown, TN

Whoa! Real Bluegrass Gospel ... old time, new time, anytime. Soul-stirring vocals and ultimate instrumentation. No doubt, many of these powerful songs will be chart-toppers. Bluegrass gospel at its best! - David M. Bissell www.PowerGrassRadio.com Salem, WV

This is our third project with Pinecastle Records and we want to thank Col. Riggs and his staff for their continued support. Please call or e-mail your local DJ's, Sirius Radio, and XM Radio to request songs off of the new project.

The Churchmen have had a band for 23 years. Boy that's a long time isn't it? During most of those years we ran our own sound, or depended on the sound folks at the concerts. Although that worked out ok, we are proud, and very excited to say that Jerry Haga is back full time running our sound. Jerry traveled with us from 2008 until 2010 and has returned in 2012 - and we hope he stays forever! Jerry hails from the community of Horsepasture, VA. Jerry is a member at Horsepasture Christian Church and he is very involved. Thanks to The Lord for bringing such great people our way! Jerry's addition has allowed us to go back to using individual mics and this has been a real help to The Churchmen sound. Here is a biography on Jerry.

Jerry was born on May 08, 1951 in Clintwood, VA. He is an excellent musician in his own right and plays all woodwind instruments, specializing on the Saxophone. He started playing professionally in 1970 and took on a dual roll in 1973 to become Sax player and sound technician. Jerry played full time from '73 until '77. Jerry re-dedicated his life to The Lord 20 years ago and now plays primarily in church and uses his talents with The Churchmen.

Jerry has been married to his lovely wife Glennette for more than 30 years. They are the proud parents of 2 sons - Johnathon and Andrew.

Thanks again to Jerry and welcome on board to one of the finest guys that you would ever want to meet. Jerry is well known in the community for his charitable spirit and is a real team player for the band.

Bluegrass Gospel group "The Churchmen" has been recognized by the popular web based radio dedicated to Bluegrass Gospel Music 24 hours a day. The web site named them as the 2008 Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year and their latest release "I'll be Long Gone" as Album of the Year. The Churchmen record for Pinecastle records and their latest release is the 3rd project since joining with Pinecastle. The CD was released in mid-summer to radio with the retail release on November 4, 2008. Highlighted on the album is the song writing talents and voice of David Guthrie who joined the group January of 2007 and fiddle veteran Tim Smith joining September 2007.

The Churchmen are closing in on twenty years of performing and recording bluegrass gospel music.

What people are saying.......

"The Churchmen are a fine group of entertainers, whose talents are indeed unique, whether in performance in ensemble or solo. It is always a pleasure to work with them." The Lewis Family

"The Churchmen are a very talented group who play and sing with the kind of harmony that keeps you listening for more. I have known them since they started their group and I highly recommend them to anyone who loves good bluegrass gospel music." Russell Easter, Sr.

"We have had the pleasure of performing with the Churchmen on several occasions, and it is always enjoyable. They have a fine group and are fine people." Doyle Lawson

"The Churchmen are one of the fastest growing, hottest new sounds in Bluegrass Gospel Music today. We have worked with these guys a lot, and they really live what they sing. We highly recommend them to any- one for concerts." Jeff and Sheri Easter

1. Multiple nominations for "Gospel Group of the Year" by The Society of Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) spanning 15 years!
2. Performance at the Ryman Theater for the Bluegrass Now Fan's Choice Awards
3. Performance at multiple International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) show cases, and the IBMA Bluegrass Fan Fest
4. Nominated for 2 Dove Awards, Gospel Music's most prestigious award, for Bluegrass Gospel album of the Year (2005) and Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year (2007).
5. Churchmen song "Get Onboard" was #1 on Bluegrass Now Magazine's Gospel Truths chart and remained on the chart for 3 ½ years.

About the Churchmen.......

KEITH CLARK, was born in Martinsville, Virginia and was raised in Fieldale. His father taught him how to play guitar. "I can still picture how I used to sit on his knee and strum while he made the chords." Keith started playing the bass at age twelve and played the drums during high school, and he still enjoys playing. After working in some family bands, Keith gave his heart to the Lord when he was 17. Keith played with The Mill Creek Trio before being able to get back to his real love, bluegrass music, when they started their present band. "It's a real blessing to be able to adapt the kind of music that you love to share the gospel. I love how bluegrass can be so different. I love hard driving songs with a lot of banjo, and I love slow ballads with a lot of fiddle and Dobro. Bluegrass is so simple in some ways, but it can be played with so much complexity. I love acoustic music because it's so down to earth, and it's the way that music should be." Keith now resides in Collinsville, VA his personal goals revolve around his family and church.. "I have daughter and a wife who I love more than anything. I also love to fish and play golf and I am very active in my church. My daughter has just finished school and is a Pharmacist and my personal goals are all about her. She was an excellent student, is recently married, and I am going to do everything in my power to help and encourage her and Kevin." Click Here to Email Keith
GERALD HARBOUR was born in Stuart and raised in Woolwine, Virginia. He began showing interest in music at an early age and made his first public performance at age 5. He often would perform with his Dad throughout his childhood. In later years he would make guest appearances with his life long friends The Lewis Family. Gerald credits his parents and Little Roy Lewis for being his inspiration to pursue his musical interests. Gerald joined the Churchmen in 1989 just a few months after the formation of the group. Gerald said, "I was looking for some guys who would take the music seriously and try to constantly take it to another level". Gerald found that in Freddy and Keith and several who have passed through the band in it's existence. "It's been fun to experience the ways that the Lord has blessed us and the doors that have been opened for us along the way". Gerald currently resides with his wife Lisa and their five children in Martinsville, VA. Click Here to Email Gerald
DAVID GUTHRIE is back for a second stint and rounds out the band singing lead and harmony vocals along with handling the guitar duties. David has written a lot of the newer Churchmen material, and his high lead and great tenor voice, along with his hard driving rock solid guitar is another great addition to The Churchmen sound. David has the rare ability to sing with great feeling along with having amazing vocal range. David has brought a renewed enthusiasm to the band and has rejuvenated us all! God continues to bless our group with great talent along with great people. David is a great Christian man, and certainly is no exception. David amazingly has been playing music only a few years, but he is no stranger to Bluegrass fans across the country. Three of these years were spent with Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road. He has also garnered 2 SPBGMA "Male Vocalist of the Year" nominations. His musical influences are The Louvin Brothers. (mainly Ira Louvin), and Bill Monroe. He lives in Parkton N.C. with his lovely wife Angela, daughters Briana and Alayna, and sons David Jr. and Eric. David says "I feel led back to the band at this exact point in my life. How the Lord has opened up doors, I know it isn't without a real purpose. I am really excited to back with the Churchmen".
CARROLL ARNN, was born in Danville, VA and raised in Dry Fork, VA in rural Pittsylvania County. Carroll played previously with lots of great bands and musicians including Southern Freight Station, Virginia Sonrize, The Church Sisters, The Rivercity Band, and on occasion with Johnny and Jeanette Williams. Carroll is a very talented songwriter. Carroll has penned several songs that The Churchmen have recorded in the past, and he already has plans to record several more with the band. In addition to being a great song writer, Carroll is also very versatile musician and singer. He plays banjo, fiddle, and guitar on Churchmen sets and he can sing all four vocal parts.Carroll is a wonderful Christian man and exemplifies what a Gospel musician should be. He is a leader and musician at his local church.Carroll resides in Danville, VA with his lovely wife of over 30 years, Bet. She too was raised in church being a Pastor's child. She is a very talented musician as well playing the piano for the church. The couple has 2 lovely daughters, Brittany and Amanda. They also have 2 grandsons as well, Levi and Leland. Carroll says "God has blessed my life far beyond what I'm worthy of, and I believe He has placed me where I can best serve Him. Thanks to The Churchmen for their patience and confidence in me, and I ask all of the fans to continue to pray for our ministry. I am excited about where God is leading us". Carroll endorses Sullivan Banjos and plays the "Vintage 35".
RICK KEEN plays the Resonator Guitar commonly known as the "Dobro". This is Rick's second term with the group and we are thrilled to have him back. Rick has experience with such bands as Kickin' Grass, The Grass Cats, The Anita Fisher Band, Michelle Nixon and Drive, and Hit and Run Bluegrass. He also has a lot of recording experience while playing on many projects and different genres of music. The Lord always seems to bless us with talented musicians and great people to meet our needs and Rick is one of the most exciting young players that we have seen. Rick was born in Wilmington, NC and currently resides in Larinburg, NC along with his wife and son. He comes from a musical background with lots of talent in his family and it certainly shows. Rick only started playing music in 2002 and has quickly developed into one of the best in the business. Along with that talent, Rick has a great personality, is fun to travel with, and has been a hit with all of The Churchmen fans and friends everywhere.