Feature Articles

Jeff & Sheri Easter

It's been a few years and much has happened since SGN last featured Jeff & Sheri Easter. Since then, the group has become more of a family affair by including Morgan as the new soprano, Jeff & Sheri had another baby, and Sheri has battled cancer. How have you managed to keep it all together over the last few years?

Morgan-It is hard managing school, work, and traveling now that I have more responsibility. It’s a juggling act sometimes.

Jeff-Keeping a positive attitude is the key. Sheri has said many times that you have choices when you wake up; you can choose to be better, or be bitter about your circumstances. We choose joy.

Sheri-We try to keep everything in perspective—good and bad, and trust that God is at work in our lives and we have to trust Him for every breath.

Morgan - what has it been like filling the shoes of Charlotte - and what have you learned so far about yourself since taking on this new role?

Morgan-Charlotte has always been such a great support for me whenever I needed her, and she’s always been close to our family. It was hard to see her go, but I’ve learned to have more confidence on stage since I filled the position.

Sheri-I think the sweetest compliment was given to Morgan the first week she began singing by a lady at one of our concerts. She encouraged Morgan not to feel the pressure of taking Charlotte’s place, but instead think of it in terms of God preparing a place for Morgan that Charlotte was keeping for her until she was ready. Again, it’s about perspective; you’ve got to love a lady with that kind of optimism.

Tell us about your new record - Expecting Good Things.

Morgan-I love singing “Time for Me to Fly” because it encourages people, and it’s a song that fits where I am in my life right now.

Jeff-It’s full of encouragement. We have had three years to choose these songs, since our last studio project and we were able to wait for the best of the best.

Sheri-Our new project is probably the most intimate and personal project we’ve ever recorded simply because of the level of difficulty in our lives during the process of recording. It came from such a raw and honest place that it conveys a message that anyone who needs encouragement should hear.

How have audiences responded to the new songs

Jeff-I’ve never had more DJs asking for a single than “Born to Climb”. Audiences and our peers are saying it’s the best CD we’ve ever done.

Sheri-They relate! It’s unbelievable to see the tears after the ballads and the smiles after the ‘victory’ songs. Everyone in our audiences is at one of three places in life; approaching a battle, fighting a battle or celebrating a victory. This project is for all three places!

Sheri - how has your battle with cancer changed you as a minister, performer, and songwriter?

Sheri-I am a different woman, therefore my ministry, performing and writing have all been altered. Thankfully, it’s all better, deeper, richer, more honest and more touchable. Priorities have been rearranged, and the word ‘shallow’ doesn’t describe anything in my life. Everything runs deep, and for that, I am grateful.

What are your favorite songs on the new record and which songs do the fans keep coming back for?

Jeff-I love “I Get To,” “Expecting Good Things,” and “Workin’ On A Road”. When I first heard “I Get To” it reminded me of what is important in life. Musically, the other two songs are just exactly the style of song that I love to sing.

Sheri-My personal favorites are “Time for Me to Fly,” “Hear My Heart,” and “Love Remains”. “Time for Me to Fly” was the first song I chose for the album. I could relate to the lines “time for me to live, time for me to sing,” and it made me want to celebrate. Whereas, “Hear My Heart” and “Love Remains” pretty much sum up where I’ve spent the last two years, and it gives me a chance to share a very intimate part of myself with my audience.

Jeff & Sheri Easter has always been a group that has crossed many genre borders - tackling everything from country and bluegrass to straight ahead Southern Gospel and now even pop styles on the new record. While most critics would say that a group needs to stick with one style to remain successful - why do you think you've managed to exceed expectations doing the complete opposite?

Jeff-We’ve never put a label on what we do. We just enjoy all styles of music and believe if it’s a good song, it’s a good song regardless of the style.

Sheri-I believe the answer lies in the simple truth that I know who I am as an artist, and I’ve never tried to be anything other than true to myself. Through the years, I’ve heard many artists say that they recorded a particular song in order to market it into either the contemporary or country markets in order to have airplay there, and that’s just not something I’ve ever done. I listen very carefully to the lyrics because I’m a reader, and I simply love words and the power that is in them. When a song speaks to me, I commit to record it regardless of its musical style. Then, I get as far away from the demo as I can to make it sound like me. I want my personality to be the model for what the song will become, whether it’s a heart-wrenching ballad, a bluesy attitudinal number, or even a "roll your windows down and celebrate" kind of tune!

What has God been teaching you lately?

Morgan-He’s been teaching me that I can do more than I think I can at times. I have to trust Him.

Jeff-To be better at everything I do, because it counts. We should all be more Christ-like in all that we do.

Sheri-The quieter I am, the more able I am to hear His voice. Without distractions, it’s easier to find God’s purpose for your life. Sometimes the laundry, the trips to and from school and related functions, doctor’s appointments, feeding the dog, and a host of other necessary, yet overwhelming chores are all distracting us from hearing His direction. So, now I make more of a point of having quiet time with God. Without words to get in the way, He hears your heart and knows just how you feel.

Is there any other information that you would like to share?

Sheri-I want to continue to raise awareness regarding breast cancer, because in the past two years, I’ve prayed with some of the most courageous women, some who have victory and others not so fortunate. I want to do everything I can, so that no one has to go through what our family has. Cancer does not have to be a death threat if we can make more people aware of early detection. I’ve always tried to choose songs that encourage others—these days, I KNOW my songs can do just that.