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Compassion International

Sunday Edition


30
Apr
2005
Questions & Answers With the Crabb Family


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You guys are the first Southern Gospel artist to attain multiple major Dove Award nominations  and wins in a very long time.  How does it feel to be put up in the  s ame category as artists like MercyMe, Switchfoot, and Casting Crowns?

It's very humbling and exciting!  We are humbled because we know where we have come from.  We grew up in the small town of Beaver Dam, Kentucky.   Now, to see where God is allowing us to minister brings a strong sense of humility.  We know that it is all Him and that is very humbling!  It's exciting because we love the other artists who were nominated in this category.  They have become good friends over the past few years and have been so encouraging to us.  They have been so kind and complimentary and just always urged us to keep pressing on.

You recently attended the Grammy Awards - even got interviewed by Melissa Rivers.  What was that like?

Awesome.  We were a little nervous at first.  We have watched her and her mom tear people apart  She was really nice and really kind.  She talked with us before the actual interview, which was really cool!  We really thought she would go at our name- that is an easy target.  She laid off of that and just talked with us really light-hearted.  We have watched the TV Guide channel over and over and still could not believe that it happened.

You just released Live at the Brooklyn Tabernacle , what kind of response of have you been getting from fans about this? 

From Pastors and Church Choir leaders or Praise and Worship leaders we hear constantly what an awesome opportunity it was.  They want to know what it was like.  Many Pastors have read Pastor Cymbalas books Fresh Fire, Fresh Wind, and Fresh Faith .  It was a real treat to meet the man who wrote those books and see personally what a great man of God he is.  We love Pastor and Carol Cymbala so much!  Sometimes when you watch someone from afar, but don't really know them, it is better not to meet them because they let you down, but that was not the case with the Cymbalas.  They are great people!  We have a higher respect for them every time we meet and talk to them.  They are so genuine and so sincere.     

People who have watched the DVD love it!  We have people saying they want to go visit the church and hear the choir sing live.  People say they can't believe we got to do a video there.  We can't believe it either.  To have Carol and the choir joining us on "Through the Fire" and "Holy Ground" was a dream come true!

When will we get to hear a new studio album, and what kinds of sounds will you be going for this time around?

We will start working on a new album sometime in the next few months.  We have started picking out songs.  Listeners will hear a little of everything on this one.  This year we sang with all kinds of artists from Jars of Clay to the Opry to T.D. Jakes church with J. Moss and Smokie Norful.   With this kind of blend and going into this many places, we have to have a variety.  We feel like God has allowed us to not be in one vein or pigeon-holed.  We have five singers with five styles, so we hit all areas of music.  We are really excited about the sounds, styles, and about Dad's writing.  We always look forward to selecting songs and deciding who will sing what. 

Stuff from the Crabb Family has been popping up everywhere (McRaes' latest, CCM's Top 100 Songs, etc.) What kind of artists/songwriters/producers would you like to work with in the near future?

We would like to work with a lot of different people.  There is a new guy who is no stranger to music.  He has sat behind a board and produced some of the most awesome projects you will ever hear.  He has finally recorded a project for himself.  His name is J Moss, and it is one of the most phenomenal albums we have ever hears.  We'd also like to work with Smokie Norful and just do something crazy to surprise people.  Jason says he would like to produce and sing on some things that nobody would ever expect.  Some of our favorite producers we have ever worked with is Brown Bannister and also Michael Mullett.  There are so many artists we'd like to work with.  Jason's dream is to do a project with all the artists that we love and have dreamed of singing with- like a Big Fan Album or a Friends Album with all kinds of various artists.

What is currently in each of your CD players?  What kind of music are YOU into right now?

We all just kind of pass around CDs, but the ones most frequently listened to are Smokie Norful, J Moss, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Karen Wheaton, Judy Jacobs, Salvador, Natalie Grant, Third Day, MercyMe, Nicole C Mullen, Casting Crowns, and others.  We like all styles and sounds.

Reader Comments

I just wanted to say what a great interview with the best group. It is great to hear how the Lord has blessed the Crab Family. They have been a blessing in my life so much over the years.


Commented by On 05/02/2005
Yep!!! I be likin' them Crabbs too!! God bless them and keep them in all their ways.


Commented by On 05/02/2005
Wonderful interview. Always admire this family and Gerald's songwriting. The question about music listened to, really caught my eye. I always wonder why someone with southern gospel roots, never listens to southern gospel music, maybe that explains why so much pop, rock and contemporary stylings show up on their albums. God Bless


Commented by On 05/02/2005
I just want to say that I love the Crabb Family and I am praying for them because I know that when people do what the Lord wants the devil will attack them.. I also need prayers tooo...because I am trying to be in the Lords will. God BLess, Jenni


Commented by On 05/03/2005
Love you guys! Can't wait to hear your upcoming project! I know it will be a blessing! Keep holding up that blood stained banner of Christ!


Commented by Jamie Rebekkah Carter On 05/04/2005
Robert, they never said that they don't ever listen to Southern Gospel, the queston was what's in your CD player RIGHT NOW. My guess is that many of the Southern Gospel singers listen to other artists who are not Southern Gospel just so they can expand their style and not get into a rut.


Commented by On 05/04/2005
Chris D. Unthank's avatar Let's also not forget that while not in the Southern Gospel circuit - Karen Wheaton & Judy Jacobs have always fit into the SG category.


Commented by On 05/04/2005
I love The Crabb Family and their music and hope they continue to expand their ministry,I think it's awesome.I play in a traditional men's quartet and I love quartet music,but in my CD player right now,I have my solo project,Phillips,Craig & Dean(love PCD,Dan Dean was my former choir director)Rascall Flatts(talking about harmony)Switchfoot & Casting Crowns. So I think you can still love SG and listen to other styles and learn things as well.


Commented by HAMMER On 05/06/2005
I love your music. I've been listening to it every since you first came out. my friend and I sing some of your songs in church as well. I think your songs has alot of meanig frim the heart. It's good to see a family come together to do a work for God. He has been there for me when I thought I'd lost it all. I would love to tell you to keep it up what you are all doing.


Sincerely,
Cylena H. Pitts


Commented by cylena Pitts On 05/26/2005
Enjoy the Crabb Family. Question - where is Gerald? Don't hear much about him and on the Crabb Blog - he isn't mentioned only refer to her Mom. Just wondering.....


Commented by On 06/04/2005
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