Sitting down with Gerald and Kathy Crabb is quite a unique experience. Talk about down to earth, genuine people, that is exactly what this couple is. One thing that I learned about Gerald and Kathy is that any thing they can do to further the Gospel and Gospel Music, they are willing to do it.
I asked Gerald about his songwriting and he was very willing to share. He started writing about 11 years ago. Gerald feels that with all of the life experiences he has gone through, both before he was saved and after, that he can write songs that touch people where they are right now. Such songs as ?Please Forgive Me?, which was a mega-number one hit for them is the personal testimony of Gerald, is a prime example of touching people where they are. As he describes it, Gerald was at the bottom of pit of life, living life as far out on the edge as he could get, he could find no satisfaction until one night he looked up to God and said "Please, Forgive Me". Gerald feels that he has lived so many of his songs.
Gerald spoke of how often he is blessed to hear others singing his songs. Kathy related how Gerald sat in tears one night listening to a group of kids, who may not have even been singing the notes right, singing a song that Gerald had written and so obviously glorifying God in the process. Gerald said that these experiences are worth so much more than all the awards and recognition.
Gerald thinks that joining the Daywind staff of writers will be very beneficial, and that Brian Copeland must be the greatest song-pitcher in the whole world. I asked Gerald if he ever wrote songs with a specific group in mind. He said not generally. But he did write "The Healer" for The Talleys. "The Healer" was also a number one song. Maybe Gerald could write a song specifically for The Unthanks.
Kathy Crabb is obviously a tremendous asset to this family, but perhaps her biggest asset is her marketing sense. She seems to have learned a lot when working in the used car business. Apparently she became a genius while learning that trade. Kathy thinks that her biggest plus is that she follows through with her ideas.
I asked how the Crabb Family got started and it seems that they were just singing at church when one day Jason suggested that they try promoting a concert. They were just going to try it one time, so they brought in Charles Johnson and the Revivers. Twenty two months later, they resigned their church and were singing and ministering full time as a family.
It seemed to me that traveling on one bus all the time with your family could be one big headache. Kathy responded that the upside is far greater than the downside. As we sat there in the interview, Gerald and Kathy were constantly talking about their kids and their in-laws. It was easy to see that they love their family, even their "in-laws." I think that Kathy really likes Mike Bowling, and she's his Mother-in-law.
Kathy says that God has brought each of their kids spouses that have had a different part in the ministry, all fitting into a perfect place, working together to further the Kingdom of God. One of the keys to getting along on the bus is that they try to give their kids as much privacy when they are off the road as they possibly can. The Crabb Family are definitely a team when it comes to working for the Lord.
When we first heard that Gerald and Kathy would be taking some time off the road we were a little surprised. Gerald and Kathy have been such an intregal part of this family group. But after speaking with them and hearing Kathy say that they were enjoying seeing each of their kids begin to fulfill their own dreams I can understand. Gerald and Kathy will always be a part of the "Crabb Family," but now the "family" is spreading in different directions, allowing this ministry to venture through more open doors.
The Crabb Family's new project, "The Walk" is scheduled for release in April and is expected to be a huge success. Gerald and Kathy's schedule of revivals can be found on their website, www.thecrabbfamily.com.
When you get a chance to see The Crabb Family, make sure that you do it, because you won't be disappointed, and don't forget to make it to a few of Gerald's revivals.
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