Gospel Grass
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Gospel Grass was started in 1986 and 2006 marks the groups 20th anniversary. The only original member still with the group is the bass player, Gordon Justice. Other members consist of James Thacker on rhythm guitar who has been with the group since 1992. On mandolin is Dennis Houser who joined in 1999 followed by Jeff Taylor playing lead guitar with Gospel Grass since 2001. The banjo & dobro player for the group is Mike Martin who also joined in 2001. Before joining the group, both Dennis & Mike did not play the instruments they do now with the Gospel Grass. Dennis was a bass player who learned to play both the guitar and mandolin while going out with the group. Mike was a guitar player who took up both the banjo and dobro while playing with the group. If you listen to their earlier CDs you can hear how both of them develop with each later CD. Gospel Grass produces and records their own music in an upstairs studio above Gordon Justice's garage in Bluff City, TN which he calls Good News Recording Studio. They will be the first to admit that they really do not know what they are doing when it comes to recording but it is a labor of love that gets a little better with each recording. Their only purpose has been to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ thru bluegrass music and testimony. Since 2003 the group has kept a very busy schedule with an average of 95 dates per year. Most of their travels are within a 50 mile range of Bristol in East Tennessee & Southwest Virginia but they have ministered in song as far west as Carrollton, IL the St.Louis area.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes. Check out our schedule at our web site:
Your musical influences
Most of all we have to give God the Glory for being our biggest influence. He has blessed each and every member of this group and saved us from an eternity of grief. Without Him there is no telling how low on this earth we would be. Our musical influences are several but Flatt & Scruggs, Country Gentlemen, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Ricky Skaggs, AKUS & Newgrass Revival are at the tops.
What equipment do you use?
Gordon plays an Engelhart Bass, James plays a Martin Guitar, Dennis plays a Ratliff Mandolin, Jeff plays both a Martin and a Santa Cruz Model Tony Rice, Mike plays a Gibson banjo and a Townsend (dobro or resonator guitar.) The Ratliff Mandolin is made in Church Hill, TN by Audey Ratliff and the Dobro style guitar is made by Roy Townsend on Bristol, VA. You can see a link for Ratliff Mandolins at the Gospel Grass links page.
Anything else?
Every member of Gospel Grass has one common goal. To proclaim Christ in song and testimony no matter where we go. If you book us for an event, no matter if it be a church or a downtown square, we will tell what Christ has to offer.
