The Churchmen previously recorded three projects on the "Mountain Home" label of The Horizon Music Group along with the last three projects on the Pinecastle label. The CD On the Journey Home was nominated or a Dove Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year while the CD, Traveling Through, gained acclaim across the country and included the song “Bedside Prayer” that also garnered a Dove award nomination for Bluegrass Song of the year. Their latest CD I'll Be Long Gone released in 2008, the band's best effort to date, gained great reviews and is getting substantial radio airplay. The group would love to come to your area and bring their unique brand of Bluegrass Gospel that not only entertains but truly warms the heart and uplifts the spirit.

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).

The group has 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.

The Churchmen record with Pinecastle Records and maintain a great relationship with Tom Riggs, founder and president of Pinecastle. The addition of David Guthrie and Rick Keen to the band has bolstered the Churchmen sound to new heights. David is one of the most talented singers, songwriters, and guitar players in Bluegrass today. David has also been nominated by SPBGMA as "Male Vocalist of the Year". Rick is a greatly talented Dobro player and has quickly developed into one of the best in the business. Along with all of the talent, Rick has a great personality and has been a hit with all of The Churchmen fans and friends everywhere.

The band is also incredibly blessed to have such a solid foundation. The three founding members 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. Jerry Haga handles the sound duties for the band and he has been another real difference maker for the group.

Keith Clark, helped form The Churchmen after playing with his family band and several regional Gospel groups. Keith sings lead, baritone and low tenor and plays a rock solid acoustic bass. He makes his home in Collinsville, Virginia.

Freddy Rakes, another original member, formerly played with the Rakes Family and the Easter Brothers and now sings lead and high tenor with The Churchmen. Freddy also plays the banjo with the group. He resides in Fork Mountain, VA.

Gerald Harbour joined The Churchmen in late 1989 shortly after the band’s inception after playing with various groups such as the Lewis Family. He sings lead, baritone and bass, and plays the mandolin. He calls Martinsville, VA his home.

David Guthrie sings lead and harmony vocals along with handling the guitar duties. David’s high lead and great tenor voice is a great addition to The Churchmen sound. He comes to us from The Carolina Road Band, and was nominated in 2007 by SPBGMA for “Male Vocalist of the Year – Traditional”. He lives in Parkton, North Carolina.

Rick Keen plays the Resonator Guitar (commonly called The Dobro) and is one of the most talented young men in Bluegrass today. Rick is a real fan favorite and makes his home in Benson, NC.

Jerry Haga runs the sound for the group and is a vital part of the band. Jerry is an outstanding musician in his own right and is a great Christian man. Jerry hails from Horsepasture, VA.

For more information on The Churchmen visit www.TheChurchmen.com or Pinecastle Records' website www.Pinecastle.com. For bookings contact Lance LeRoy with the Lancer Agency at 615-822-0222.

Seed Newsvine