Recently it was an absolute thrill for the Churchmen to have their show aired on the popular music show, "Gospel Music Showcase", on Daystar network. GMS is hosted by one of the most talented people in Gospel music today, Guy Penrod. Daystar TV is such an influence in sharing the Gospel around the globe that it is a great honor to be a small part in that ministry. Keith Clark says "Daystar is such a world class organization and they treated us so well. It is a highlight of our music career to be on GMS. What a great opportunity for us". Thanks to Daystar, especially Leann Brazier for flying us to Dallas and for the "star" treatment! Click this picture to check out The Churchmen on Daystar TV. You will need to Join (Free, no charge) in order to watch the show.
Born in Martinsville, Virginia and was raised in Fieldale, VA. 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 the Churchmen in 1989. "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 resides in Collinsville, VA with his wife Sharon and his personal goals revolve around his family and church. "I love my family more than anything. I love to fish and play golf and I am very active in my church. We are grand-parents now and our world evolves around my daughter, Ashley, Son-in-law, John, and grandson, Brentley. Having a great bunch of guys to play music and spread the Gospel for 30+ years is an amazing blessing. We love the Lord and try to serve Him by telling everyone the good news of the Gospel in music".
born in Mt Airy NC and raised in Cana, Va. He grew up with a family of musicians and singers making it easy to get the "pickin bug." Early on he sang with his mother Mary and brother Tony at church. By the age of 15, he found himself wanting to learn how to play an instrument. Influenced by his father Donald and uncles Odell and Perry, he picked up the mandolin and started learning everything from Bill Monroe to David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs. Throughout his career, Greg has played with several bands, recorded projects, won competitions, played various venues and even joined as baritone for the late Johnny Cash one night at a show. Greg was one of the founders of the group Rich In Tradition in 2006. In 2016 Greg joined the Amanda Cook Band and played into the early part of 2018. He lives in Mt. Airy, NC with his wife Shannon. They have 3 children: Katie, Dan and Emily.
Keith's father: Luther Souther started him singing and playing guitar at the age of six where he learned how to sing harmony with his family while learning to play rhythm guitar with his Brother. Keith performed with the Sons of the South from 2001 until 2009 until he started his own band “Destination Bluegrass Band” in 2010. Over the years, Keith won numerous awards for his individual singing and as a band. They had two CD projects with several original tunes written by Keith and several bluegrass gospel songs that were taken from his own life experiences.
Over the past several years, Keith and his Wife have been working with Eaton’s Baptist Church in Mocksville, NC to bring Bluegrass music once a month to the community as an outreach program. They feed the people and feed their souls with a great message from the Pastor, Dave Gilbreath.
Keith makes his home in Mocksville, NC with his wife, Melissa. He works for Associated Hardwoods, Inc as the Director of IT and enjoys playing music, making furniture, target shooting, fishing and listening to the Bible as he rides down the road. Keith is proud to have served in the United States Army and is now excited about joining the Churchmen. He said he prayed about this before God showed him this is an open door.
Jay Adams comes to the group from Eden, NC. Jay Adams Growing up, my first exposure to bluegrass was Flatt and Scruggs. Of course, Earl’s banjo was what did it for me. Lester and Earl made many appearances in our area and there were a few fans in my family so I heard quite a bit of their music.
I’ve known Keith almost since the beginning of the Churchmen so we have been friends for many years.
The gospel has always been a major part of my music. Combined with that and the geographic aspect, we all live within an hour of each other, it just seems like God put it together. We’ll just wait and see what he has in store. Married Teresa Adkins Adams, 2 daughters, Ellie and Katie, 2 grandchildren, Tucker and Cali
Christian Gillikin born and raised in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area, Christian began playing fiddle at age 4, studying classical violin into college. Although lessons were primarily formal sheet music, his true love was always bluegrass and acoustic music. While his mom was the push behind classes, his dad and older brother were his original musical influences. Bluegrass jams were highlights of his childhood. He was fortunate enough to win the Virginia State Championship at 8, and at age 16 he got to play a few shows with his fiddle hero Vassar Clements.
He has recorded numerous Country and Bluegrass projects, as well as music for several professional business commercials. In the mid 1990’s he became the first full-time fiddle player with the Churchmen, recorded their project The Drifter, and remained with the band for the better part of a decade. Additionally, while with the Churchmen, he met his wife Shannon, who is the niece of long-time Churchmen banjo player Freddy Rakes. Leaving the band to pursue a career in law enforcement, he continued to play with various local bands as well as the representing touring band for his police department. Having since retired, and moving back to his family’s heritage and home in Southeastern North Carolina, he has pursued his other love of captaining boats, from private yachts to working with the North Carolina Ferry System. He regularly plays at his church in Beaufort, NC, and has once again excitedly reunited with the Churchmen as the regular violin and viola player.