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James Easter passes

James Easter, the last surviving member of bluegrass Gospel group, The Easter Brothers, passed away on December 10, 2021. He was 89 years of age and had been admitted to hospital on November 29, 2021, then moved to ICU after contracting COVID-19.

From Mount Airy, North Carolina, James Madison Easter was born on April 24, 1932, and when he was eight years old, his eldest brother, Russell, taught him how to play the guitar.

As the brothers began playing together into their teenage years, life for James Easter took a turn for the worse and he was imprisoned briefly. While there he formed a bluegrass-country music act, simply known as The Prison Band.

Stemming from his experiences James Easter co-wrote their most commercially successful song, Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me …

Meanwhile, in 1947 Russell formed a band, the Green Valley Quartet, the forerunner to the Easter Brothers. Over the course of the next two years, as first James and then Edd began to play, this combination became more formal calling themselves the Easter Brothers and the Green Valley Quartet. They went on to become one of the foremost bluegrass Gospel groups in the world, performing together for more than 60 years.

In the early days they were based in Danville, Virginia, and had a radio program on WBTM, and subsequently became popular throughout that state, West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and North Carolina. They worked several shows with Don Reno & Red Smiley, who recorded their novelty song Jimmy Caught the Dickens Pushing Ernest In The Tubb, and helped them with their first recordings.

The brothers also had their own show on Radio WPAQ for a time and made appearances on Reverend Leonard Repass’s television ministry show in Bluefield, West Virginia.

In 1958 and 1959 the Green Valley Quartet cut six songs that were made available on the Green Valley label. Over the next couple of years, the Easter Brothers recorded six sides released by King Records with two songs from the second session being put out on a New Dominion Barndance single, and four others on an EP on Carlton Haney’s Commandment label. Most of these are on the Rebel LP, Early Sessions. Cincinnati DJ Wayne Raney was one who helped them a lot by playing their first single, White Winged Angel/Have You Been Invited, and other very early recordings.

Eventually the brothers, who had become familiar figures within bluegrass Gospel circles from northern Georgia to southern Pennsylvania, dropped any reference to the Green Valley Quartet.

In 1979 they gave up their day jobs and became a full-time touring group. As well as working at venues across many of the eastern states, they ventured as far west as Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Whereupon they established their well-appointed Granite City Recording Studio, which included video recording equipment, and started their own Lifeline label.

Gradually the brothers introduced other members of the family to their act. Two of these were James Easter’s sons Jeff and Steve (aka ‘Rabbit’). Jeff and his wife Sheri, daughter of Polly Lewis, have since forged their own career in the Gospel music field.

This clip features three generations – James and Jeff Easter with Morgan Easter – singing another favorite Lord, I’m Ready To Go Home.

From the CD Like Father, Like Son.

During the next two decades, they were prolific recording artists with about two dozen releases during that time. Not surprisingly, this output dropped considerably as the brothers passed their 70^th birthdays.

One notable collection from this later era is the brothers’ collaboration with Jeff and Sheri Easter and the Lewis Family, the Dove award-winning Bluegrass Album Of The Year (2009), We Are Family.

About this time Allen Mills (Lost And Found), who recorded with the Easter Brothers in February 1961, said of them …

“Their perseverance is the most impressive thing about them. They were not like anyone else. They’re simple, down-to-earth folks. They’re the same today as they were in 1960 when I met them. You’ll never change them. Those fellas, as long as I’ve known them, are still committed to the word of the Lord, and they’ve never veered from that to this day. ‘This is what we do, and we hope you like it!’ That’s gratifying to me.” [Bluegrass Unlimited, September 2007]

And to all of us, I’m sure.

During the 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards show there was a special tribute to the Easter Brothers with performances by some of bluegrass and Gospel music’s finest …

Throughout their career, the brother act was featured on a variety of different broadcast television programs; The PTL Club, Huff Cook, Camp Meetin’ USA, Sing Out America, Great American Gospel, Bluegrass Road, and Top of the Morning are just a few of the national and international television shows on which they appeared.

Their music was characterised by their three-part harmonies, a rich blend of voices with James Easter singing lead and tenor, Russell (lead) and Edd (baritone). A Heart That Will Never Break Again is a typical example.

Two of their compositions, Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me and They’re Holding Up the Ladder, won Dove Awards (2002 and 2009, respectively).

Also, the Easter Brothers are members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, inducted in 2018.

They are further honored with artist Tim White’s 18-foot by 14-foot mural located in downtown Mount Airy, across the street from Mayberry’s Music Center, which was operated by James Easter.

The adjoining marker reads …

The legendary Easter Brothers grew up here in Mount Airy, NC. their earliest musical influence was inspired by their mother and her “clawhammer” style banjo picking. Brothers Edd and Russell formed the Easter Brothers group in 1953 and were joined by their brother James in 1956. The brothers wrote over 400 songs. In 2013 the American Gospel Association honored the Easter Brothers for over 60 years of faithful service to Bluegrass Gospel Singing & Songwriting. The Easters have been awarded three Dove Awards as well. The Easter Brothers have made beautiful music through the decades and always gave God the glory for their “Music Ministry”.

The Lonesome River Band, led by Sammy Shelor, who recorded with brothers in 2000, recognised their great contributions to bluegrass Gospel genre with their CD Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers, released on June 2, 2021.

R.I.P. James Easter

The celebration of life services for James Easter will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at The Temple Baptist Church in Mt. Airy, North Carolina at 1:00 p.m. Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The graveside service will be held at Miracle Waters Worship in Mt. Airy.

A Discography

The Easter Brothers and The Green Valley Quartet

14 Songs Of Faith (Commandment LP-200, released 1965)
Blue Grass And Country Hymns (Stark SR-200-1, 1967)
The Easter Brothers and their Green Valley Quartet (County 716, November 1968)
Let Me Stand Lord (Commandment Com-LP 203, 1969)
Bible On The Table (Troy LP-25513, November 1969)
Lord I Will (Commandment LP-204, 1970)
Country Hymn Time (Commandment LP-300, 1970)
From Earth To Glory Land (Commandment LP-400, 1970
I’ve Been Touched (Commandment LP-500, 1971)
Just Another Hill (Commandment LP-600, 1972)
He’s Everything I Need (Commandment LP-800, 1973)
Coming Home (Mayberry LP-900, 1973)
Don’t Overlook Your Blessings (Mission MR-EB-441, 1974)
Easter Brothers In Nashville (Mission MR-EB-476, 1975)
As Long As I Have Jesus (The Mountain Song) (Mayberry LP-1200, 1976)
Hold On (Old Homestead OHS-70008, 1977)
We’re Going Home (QCA QC-360, 1977)
I’m Holding To His Hand (QCA QC-388, 1979)
Live At The Gospel Chicken House (LifeLine LL 2020, 1980)
The Easter Brothers (LifeLine E LBO 2003, 1980)
I Feel Like Traveling On (Rebel REB-1595, 1980).
Forever On My Knees (LifeLine LL-4030, 1980)
Early Sessions (Rebel REB-1615, 1983)

Easter Brothers

Almost Home (REBEL REB-1605, 1982).
Songs About Mama (LifeLine GCRS-4090, 1983)
Little Grain Of Sand (LifeLine LL 5050, 1983)
Hereafter (LifeLine /Benson LBO 2010, 1984)
Wake Up America (Morada MZS-133, 1984)
Tribute To Reno & Smiley (Rebel REB-1635, 1985)
He’s The Rock I’m Leaning On (Morning Star MST-4010, 1985).
We’re Going Home (Morada MZS-360, 1985)
I’ll Live Again In Glory (LifeLine 16923, 1990)
The Troops Are Coming Home (LifeLine LL-1015, 1991)
Little At A Time (LifeLine TRS-0033, release date unknown)
Songs Of The Louvin Brothers (LifeLine TRS-0034, unknown)
We’re Gonna Make It (LifeLine LL 0456, unknown)
Wore Out (LifeLine C-1733, unknown)
Happy Are The Days (LifeLine TRS-LL-8910, unknown)
Songs That Will Never Grow Old Vol. One (LifeLine 4006, unknown)
Song Of Songs (LifeLine #unknown, unknown)
I’m Still On The Rock (LifeLine #unknown, unknown)
The Sun’s Still Shining In The Valley (LifeLine CD-412696.11, 1996)
Easter Brothers – Favorites (LifeLine CD-495698, 1998)
If I Could Order Christmas (LifeLine C-2589, 1998)
Heart And Soul (Thoroughbred THRB-2036 2000)
By Request Their Greatest Hits (Thoroughbred THRB-2038, October 20, 2000)
Gospel Favorites (LifeLine #unknown, 2003)
They’re Holding Up The Ladder (Rebel REB-CD 7511, February 24, 2004). This consists of a selection from Rebel 1595 and Rebel 1605
We Are Family (Daywind 1550, April 22, 2008). There is a DVD version of this also. (Jeff and Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, and Easter Brothers)
It’s About Time (LIFELINE LL-1201 2008.
There’s A Better Life (LIFELINE EF-1002, November 4, 2011)
I’d Do It All Over Again (Pisgah Ridge PR 15212, February 18, 2014)

James & Jeff Easter

Like Father Like Son (Sonlite Records SL31352, November 5, 2013)

This listing is based on a detailed session discography compiled by Dick Grant. We are very grateful for his assistance.

Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers – Lonesome River Band

It goes without saying that bluegrass is part of a timeless tradition that’s been carried forward from one generation to the next. Even those artists and ensembles that publicly profess the need to add their own individual elements to the mix will generally cite their reverence for the roots as well.

Consequently, it’s not surprising that Lonesome River Band, a group at the forefront of today’s modern music scene, would choose to pay homage to the seminal Gospel group, The Easter Brothers, a trio borne from Mount Airy, North Carolina whose origins date back some 60 years. In the liner notes to LRB’s terrific new tribute, Singing Up There, banjo player Sammy Shelor cites the influence the Easters had on his early efforts and the lingering impact that continues to inspire him and the other members of the band all these decades on. Indeed, that spirit is shored up in each of the ten tracks shared here, all of which convey the enthusiasm and exuberance that could be found through the essence of their spiritual songs.

That said, the new album isn’t necessarily for Gospel lovers only. While the songs are flush with deference and devotion, the performances are indelibly inscribed in ways both captivating and compelling. On songs such as Every Minute Means a Mile, Almost Home, Little At a Time, Hes Coming Back Someday, Standing on the Banks, and I’ll Be Gone Gone Gone, the performances provide an astute example of the celebratory stance the Easter Brothers proffered and a sound faithfully emulated by the LRB. After all, LRB is a group known for their high harmonies and peerless picking. So too, the sacred sensibilities inscribed in Lord I’m Just a Branch and Hereafter testify to their sincerity and the sanctity of that sound.

Ultimately, Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers shares the best of both traditions, carrying the trajectory forward while still paying heed to both past and present without having to compromise either. In that sense, it ought to be considered an essential offering, and one that will find every lover of true bluegrass readily able to admire and embrace.

Easter Brothers mural dedication in Mount Airy, NC

Local dignitaries and townspeople turned out last week in Mt. Airy, NC for the official dedication of The Easter Brothers mural painted downtown by Tim White.

From their home base in Mt Airy, The Easter Brothers delighted bluegrass and Gospel music fans over a career that spanned more than 50 years. Recently, the city arranged to have this 18 x14 foot painting commissioned just across the street from the music store run by the sole remaining brother, James Easter, Mayberry Music Center on Main Street.

White is well known to bluegrass lovers as the host of the PBS television show, Song of the Mountains, broadcast from Marion, VA. He completed the portrait over the course of nine days in April. His talents as a sign and mural painter are less well known, with his larger painting in Bristol, TN celebrating the iconic Bristol Sessions being his most prestigious work.

James and Tim were both on hand for the dedication on May 15, which included the installation of a plaque marking the mural, The Easter Brothers, and the artist. Both the current and previous mayors were in attendance, and bluegrass music was performed for the crowd.

Congratulations James, and Tim!

Tim White finishes The Easter Brothers mural in Mount Airy

Last month we shared the news that Tim White, sign painter, radio host, and MC of PBS television series Song of the Mountains, was about to embark on another ambitious project. To wit, a large hand-painted mural of The Easter Brothers in their home town of Mount Airy, NC.

The Easters provided us with some of the best in bluegrass Gospel over a fifty year career, and while only James remains with us, the music of The Easter Brothers lives on.

White started on his project in Mount Airy earlier this month, and completed the 18 x 14 foot painting in nine working days. Finishing touches went up today, and Tim was kind enough to share a number of photos of the mural in progress.

Well done!

Tim White to paint Easter Brothers mural in Mount Airy, NC

Detail from The Easter Brothers mural – James Easter and Tim White

While most bluegrass lovers in the US know Tim White as the genial host of the syndicated PBS program, Song of the Mountains, those in southwestern Virginia and east Tennessee also know him for his long running bluegrass radio program, and as an extremely gifted painter.

His mural in Bristol, TN that marks the historic Bristol Sessions across the street in Bristol, VA, has been a major tourist attraction since it was dedicated in 1986, and he tells us that he has been commissioned to create a similar, if slightly smaller mural of The Easter Brothers for their hometown of Mount Airy, NC.

The Easters were a dominant force in bluegrass Gospel music from the time they started in the business in the 1960s. Known for their old time style sibling harmony, Russell, James and Edd Easter also contributed hundreds of new songs to the genre during their active years. Among them are songs that have become standards like They’re Holding Up The Ladder, Heart That Will Never Break Again, He’s The Rock I’m Leaning On, and Hand Me Downs.

We lost Russell Easter in September of 2020, after losing Edd in January of 2019, leaving James as the only surviving brother. James continues tp perform with his wife, Denise, and also operates Mayberry Music Center on Main Street in downtown Mount Airy. Tim’s mural will be painted directly across the street from the store, which is managed by James’ daughter, Teresa.

White expects to start work on this 18 x 14 foot painting in April when the weather will be more conducive. The brick and mortar wall has already been pressure washed and sealed, and Tim has painted a smaller scale work approved by James for this project.

Anyone interested in helping the Mount Airy Downtown Business Association cover the costs of this project are invited to send financial contributions marked for this purpose to:

Miracle Waters Worship Center
P.O. Box 1744
Mount Airy, NC 27030

Further details can be obtained by contacting Roger Easter (336-429-9827), Tammy Miller (336-326-6766), or Phil Marsh (email).

An official dedication will be scheduled for later this spring.

Russell Easter passes

Prolific songwriter, musician, performer, and man of strong faith, Russell Easter, 90, eldest of the Easter Brothers, died on Tuesday, September 29.

Easter passed away at Central Continuing Care in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Born on April 22, 1930 to the late James Lincoln and Lillie Mae Tolbert Easter, he retired from Sears and was a faithful member of Miracle Waters Worship Center.

While a resident at the care facility, Russell continued to perform the music he loved, and share the faith he held so sincerely. His younger brother, James, would transport him to local churches so they could spread the Gospel through their songs.

Russell was a minister of music with the Easter Brothers for 64 years. He, along with two of his brothers, James and Edd, formed the bluegrass Gospel group in 1951. The siblings composed many songs that have become Gospel standards including Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me, The Darkest Hour, A Heart That Will Never Break Again, and They’re Holding Up the Ladder.

The trio made more than 150 recordings for several major record labels including King, Rebel, County, and their own Commandment label. They continued recording until their last album, I’d Do It All Over Again, was released in 2014. Winning numerous awards, the Easters appeared at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Sydney Opera House. They also hosted a regular radio show on WPAQ in their hometown of Mt. Airy.

Virginia Luthier and master fiddler, Jimmy Edmonds of Galax, started performing with the Easters in 1976 while still a student. He played with the band for 8 years, recorded 10 albums, and toured with them on weekends.

“I am sorry to hear,” said Edmonds, at a loss for words. “I really don’t know what to say.”

Another Virginia Luthier, Spencer Strickland, shared, “The bluegrass and Gospel community lost a pioneer with the passing of Russell Easter. I grew up listening to Easter brothers’ records my mom would play, especially before church on Sunday mornings. Prayers for the Easter family who I am proud to call my friends. RIP, Mr. Easter.”

Rick Allred and his Summer Wages alum, Kenneth Berrier, played with the Easter Brothers in the mid-’80s after their group disbanded.

“Russell was a good guy,” Allred recalled. “I played with them for about a year. Our biggest show was probably on PTL with Jim Bakker. It was on TV.”

Allred served as utility man in the band, playing bass, banjo, and mandolin on various songs. “I was privileged to stand behind Russell on stage. At the time, I never realized that they would become some of my favorite songwriters. Their songs were sent straight from God.”

Russell picked banjo when the brothers’ band initially formed. In the early days, Allen Mills of Lost and Found was their bassist.

“Russell told me that he put a light bulb inside his banjo. He’d plug it up to heat it to keep the head tight. He said that it made the banjo really loud,” Allred related.

In later years, Russell shifted to mandolin. He still played with a thumb pick and two finger picks.

“He’d roll it like a banjo. I’ve never seen another mandolin player do that,” Allred stated.

Nephew, Jeff Easter and his wife, Sheri, honored Russell during their set at the National Quartet Convention on Tuesday evening in Pigeon Forge, TN.

“Being raised with the Easter Brothers was like having three daddies,” Jeff shared in a phone interview. “Russell was always the leader of the group, and he always gave me good advice. He is going to be missed. I want to be more like the Easter Brothers when I grow up.”

Russell Easter, Sr., is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Russell Easter, Jr. and Barbara, Rodger Easter and Gail; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law, James Easter and Denise, Ann Easter; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Easter was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Bell Brummett Easter; a daughter, Linda Sue Easter Shew Thompson; and brothers, Simon Easter and Edward Easter.

A funeral service will be held Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Miracle Waters Worship Center with his son, the Rev. Rodger Easter, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday night from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Miracle Waters Worship Center, 348 Triple R Drive, Mt Airy, NC.

Edd Easter passes

Edward Easter, one third of the iconic Easter Brothers, died earlier this morning. He was 84 years of age.

The Easter Brothers were surely among the first families of bluegrass Gospel, performing together for more than 60 years. Along with brothers Russell and James, Edd recorded at least two dozen albums and that many singles again over their long career.

Not only that, they spawned a new generation of Gospel artists that continue in their stead, most famously James’ son Jeff, who united two bluegrass Gospel families when he married Sheri Lewis of The Lewis Family in 1985. They now work as Jeff & Sheri Easter with their children in tow.

It was long remarked that the brothers had an auspicious and completely appropriate name for a Gospel group.

The group started in 1953 in Mount Airy, NC. Edd played mandolin with Russel on banjo and James on guitar. The three often switched the various instruments they played, and in the early days, Allen Mills of Lost and Found fame was their bass player. They continued recording until the last album, I’d Do It All Over Again was released in 2014.

Over their career, The Easter Brothers recorded for King Records, QCA, Lifeline Records, Rebel, County, and their own Commandment label. Many of their original songs are considered part of the bluegrass and southern Gospel canon, including They’re Holding Up the Ladder and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.

The Family will accept visitors on Friday, February 1 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart, VA. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Buffalo Ridge Pentecostal Holiness Church, also in Stuart.

R.I.P., Edward Easter.

I’d Do It All Over Again – The Easter Brothers

Not many groups who began playing together in the 1950s are still going strong today – particularly not with their original lineup still intact. James, Russell, and Edd Easter – more commonly known as The Easter Brothers – are one of the few. Throughout the years, the brothers have collectively written more than 400 songs, many of which are now bluegrass and Southern Gospel classics, and steadily released albums over six decades. They’ve recently released an all-new collection, titled I’d Do It All Over Again, on Pisgah Ridge Records.

Fans of classic Gospel sounds will surely enjoy this ten-track collection, which features both originals from the brothers as well as several songs pulled from other well-known Gospel songwriters. The brothers take care of vocal duties throughout the album, revealing voices that, while a bit weathered from the years, are still strong and spirited. They’re joined by a talented band made up of some of today’s top bluegrass musicians. Andy Leftwich (fiddle, mandolin), Cody Kilby (guitar), Justin Moses (banjo, dobro), and Byron House (bass) provide solid, contemporary-tinged bluegrass instrumentation, while Steve Schramm (drums) and Les Butler (piano) add a little Southern Gospel flair.

Things start off on a strong note with Let the Hallelujahs Roll, which speaks of praising God even in hard times. The contrast between the brothers’ traditional vocal style and the contemporary music is interesting, but ultimately works – the song is uplifting and a great opening track. The Crossing, one of three tracks written by Gerald Crabb, has the same mixture of contemporary and traditional sounds. It shares a message of hope for those who have wearied of suffering, in that their pain will be relieved someday soon in heaven.

A few of the songs lean more toward Southern Gospel. Old-Fashioned Talk with the Lord, an original from the brothers, urges those who have drifted away from God to pull out their Bibles and hymn books and “pour out your heart to him there.” The brothers’ harmonies are tight, and the piano is a nice touch. The Good Old Days, written by the brothers along with Russell’s son Russell, Jr., is an upbeat number which reflects on life growing up in the hills of North Carolina and the powerful praise to be found in a simple country church.

I Didn’t Leave Like I Came, another original, is an excellent traditional-sounding number with strong banjo and stirring lyrics about the power of salvation. The title track, which closes out the album, also has a traditional feel. It comes courtesy of Crabb, and fits the brothers well. Its story is of a musician who has spent his whole life working for the Lord, and would gladly do it again if it meant he could hear the Lord tell him “well-done, when life’s race is run.”

I’d Do It All Over Again is a fantastic Gospel collection, with plenty of inspirational and encouraging songs that bluegrass fans of all ages should enjoy. It’s available now from a variety of online music retailers.

Easter and Lewis families take Dove Awards

Jeff & Shari Easter, the Lewis Family and the Easter Brothers were the proud winners of both Dove Awards in the bluegrass category at a ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, on Thursday evening (4/23).

They took the honors with They’re Holding Up The Ladder (in the bluegrass recorded song category) and We Are Family (in the bluegrass album category). Both are available on the Daywind label.

The Dove Awards are presented by the Gospel Music Association. Look for a full list of winners on their web site.