The Webbs are a tremendous family group with great harmonies and exciting arrangements. Rick, how did the Webbs get started and how long have you been singing?
Deon, my wife Phyllis and I have been singing all of our lives. We actually met each other when we began singing professionally with a vocal group called the ReGeneration in 1977. We traveled with this group of 10 singers for 4 years, singing 500 concerts a year and then Disney World wanted us to come “in house” to the EPCOT center in 1983. We sang at Disney as the “Voices of Liberty.” Knowing that the Lord had called us into full time ministry we only stayed at Disney for a year. We moved back to North Carolina in 1983, where we now live and started our music ministry simply as “Rick and Phyllis Webb” singing 125 dates a year all over the country and into different parts of the world.
The Webbs recently went through a name change, tell us a little about that? How has the name change and the addition of family members changed the way your minister? What new dimensions do your kids add to the group?
We formed the Rick Webb Trio in 1998 and had several different singers travel with us through the years. Our longest running member was our good friend Leslie Hipps=2 0who traveled with us for more than 7 years. When Leslie informed us that she didn’t want to travel full time we began seeking the Lord with who to fill the position. Little did we know that the Lord had been working in the hearts of two of our children, Parker Webb who is 22 yrs old and our youngest daughter Hannah Webb who is now 18 yrs old. We were actually in Israel singing with the ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah for 10 days when Parker and Hannah shared their hearts with us regarding their commitment to the Webb Family ministry. Phyllis and I were thrilled and begin planning for their transition into our present group “The Rick Webb Family“. Parker was in school in Ft Worth Texas with one year left to finish his college. He has transferred back to Truitt McConnel College in Cleveland, GA where he will finish his Bachelors’ degree online. Hannah is finishing her Senior year of High School/Home Schooling this year.
Hannah and Parker have certainly brought a new dimension to our music with their youthful voices and enthusiasm for the Lord and for gospel music. It is amazing that they want to sing with us “old folks” we’re sure glad they do!
Our middle son Taylor who is 19 yrs old is our third child who will occasionally drive our bus and assist us on the road. He manages our horse farm in North Carolina. He is very talented as a professional horse trainer.
You guys aren't the average three chords and a cloud of dust Southern Gospel group. What makes you different from other groups? What history or training do you have that makes you different?
We are labeled more “inspirational/southern gospel” in that we had presence on Inspirational radio for years. When we were singing with the ReGeneration vocal group we sang a lot of acappella music. I guess we have continued on somewhat with that tradition in our vocals. Also, since I was a Church Music major in college my professors tried to push me into Opera. All along my heart wanted to sing Southern Gospel. When we sang on the ‘Day of Discovery” television program we discovered that we could take some of the great southern gospel songs from the pen of writers such as Squire Parsons, Bill and Gloria Gaither, to name a few and orchestrate the songs for the program. We discovered that even the folks who didn’t particularly care for Southern Gospel liked what we sang. It confirmed to us we were on the right track with our music.
I was at one performance that you where you guys came out in full dress costumes. Do you still use that as part of your program? It was very interesting and entertaining.
Yes, during the Christmas season we incorporated the use of the Victorian Costumes in our Christmas concerts. We had a costumer design similar costumes we used at Disney World back in the ‘80s and still today20we have folks who request that we sing in our costumes during Christmas. In fact our Christmas concert tour books right away each year. We taped a one hour Christmas special for the TCT television network last year and they requested our Victorian Costumes. We’ve had a lot of comments on our costumes. We look like we have stepped back into the Charles Dickens era, not singing Victorian music but traditional gospel Christmas music!
You recently celebrated 25 years in ministry. How did you celebrate?
We honestly have celebrated all year! We are so blessed to be able to say that we have celebrated 25 wonderful years of ministry. What better way to celebrate with our “new” family group. Our wonderful record label Song Garden Music Group invited us to record a commemorative recording entitled “The 25th Family Edition”. The recording includes a lot of our favorites! It can be purchased from our web site or Song Gardens web site.
Where are some of the most interesting places you have performed?
Through the years we have been privileged to sing at so many wonderful events, churches and organizations. Some of our highlights include “Turning Point Ministries” with Dr. David Jeremiah, Celebrators conferences with Phil Waldrep, The Presidential Prayer Breakfast activities hosted by Prison Fellowship, “Coral Ridge Ministries” Reclaiming America events with Dr.20D. James Kennedy, “In Touch Ministries” with Dr. Charles Stanley, several trips to the country of Russia in missionary events sharing the gospel in song and as I mentioned our 10 years of ministry with the Day of Discovery television program sponsored by Radio Bible Class. These are just a few of the special events the Webbs have been honored to participate in through the years.
What bright new ideas can we expect from the Webbs in the future?
Deon, we feel a real urgency as never before to get the “Good News” out to as many folks as possible. Time is of the essence and His soon return is nearing! Music speaks to hearts! With our new family group we hope to be used of God, as never before, to share with families who perhaps need encouragement and maybe a little “cheering on: to live for Christ and make Him the very center of their family relationships.
Through the support of our record company Song Garden Music Group, the Keffer family and our A&R director David Staton we have the plans to produce a new recording this year featuring the Rick Webb Family, after having sung together on the road for a year and a half, we do get better with age and being on stage night after night helps strengthen our vocals and overall presentation. Be watching for a new project to be released by September!
What can a Pastor or promoter expect to see when you come to their church or stage?
Deon, it is our hope and prayer that a church or organization with first off experience a family group that has a great love for the Lord and for each other. We want to be communicators first. Music is our means of communicating the gospel of Christ. We want the folks who attend our concerts and services to realize that the greatest decision they will make while on this earth is whether to accept Jesus or reject Him. We want to direct as many people as possible to the Savior!
Our program will include uptempo music, patriotic music, songs of encouragement and familiar songs that will engage the audience singing along.
How can a Pastor or promoter get in touch with the Webbs?
We are so blessed to have Mr. Michael Davis of the Dominion Agency to handle all of our scheduling. Michael’s integrity, coupled with his love for the Lord and for gospel music represents our music ministry exactly the way we want to be represented! Please contact either Michael or our son Parker Webb through the Dominion Agency by calling 910-484-6996 or 910-364-5565. The Dominion Agency web site is available to the public http://www.dominionagnecy.com .
To find out more about the Rick Webb Family’s music ministry you can find them on the web at http://www.TheWebbsMusicMinistry.com
Author: SGN
| Author's Website: http://sogospelnews.com/
Written: 02/02/2009
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 8
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WE LOVE THE WEBBS!! WE LOVE THEIR MUSIC!!
What a thrill to have Parker and Hannah join their parents in ministry. We admire the Godly qualities The Webbs represent: love, sensitivity, integrity, trustworthiness and dependability. We have been in many of their concerts and there is always a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Wayne and Jan Vissers
One of the greatest joys of my life was being able to share the stage with this wonderful family.I am so proud of Parker and Hannah for their desire and willingness to continue in ministry with their parents. Any church or christian organization in the country would benefit greatly by having this family minister to you.
Leslie Hipps
Cheezeball wuz hare
This right here has got to be one of the TOP FIVE mixed groups in Southern Gospel music today. Don't miss them live and by all means, please request their songs on your local station.
We are proud to represent the Webbs! No one presents their music and message with more class! They are a great group and a great family! If you haven't heard them, you need to. I promise you will be as big of a fan as I am!
The Webbs are one of the best family ministries on the road today. They are true to the calling that Christ has given them and good people. Keep going for the next 25 years.
Anthony O'Neal
The Cavaliers Qt
Susan & I we privileged to spend time getting to know Parker & Hanna at Elijah Conference this past year. We did also enjoy, as painful as it was, for Parker to emulate Howard Goodman & Hanna to do her Vestal. You two are great & we love your mom & Dad too. Looking forward to seeing y'all soon on the road.
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