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I did an extensive interview with Bill Shivers and Craig Singletary of Brian Free and Assurance at the National Quartet Convention last September, however somehow and somewhere, I lost all the notes to that interview.

As fate would have it, this fine group was appearing in town last week, so I was able to get back together with them, and this time they brought Brian along.

Contrary to what might appear on stage with their lighthearted spirit, this is a group of very humble men. Speaking of their lightheartedness, I made mention that they seemed to be much more relaxed on stage and using a little more humor in their program. Bill Shivers proceeded to quote Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”. Craig said that they are always aware of the situation around them and use humor as a key to drawing people into their message. I have known Bill and Craig for many years, and they have certainly become well adjusted in the new roll as humorists with Brian flowing right along with them. Bill Lawrence seems to be the poor, taken advantage of, old fellow of the group, but you can tell it is all good natured fun, and it certainly does relax the audience to get into the real message that they are presenting. Let me also add at this point that there is no hidden message in their performance, the Gospel message comes through loud and clear.

When I asked who had the greatest influence on their vocal abilities, Bill Shivers said Vince Gill, and Kenny Hinson. Craig Singletary said Jim Hamill, Kenny Hinson, Mike Bowling, and his Dad, Steve Singletary, have all had an influence in his singing, while Brian Free said Leroy Abernathy and Celine Dione have had a major influence on his vocal styling. I always find it interesting to see and listen to how those influences show up in their singing. Everyone wanted to stress that it is NOT the life styles of the secular artists, but the vocal stylings that have influenced them. I think that it is great that they are looking to the broad world of music to extend their vocal abilities.

When I asked who had influenced them in the Gospel Music world. Craig was quick to talk about his time spent with Ed O’Neil of The Dixie Melody Boys, whom he referred to as a “father figure to him. Both Craig and Bill said that the time they spent with Ken Eubanks and Heaven Bound influenced their spiritual lives while on the road in a very positive way.

The advice of both of these guys to future singers is to “always sing from your heart”. That sounds like some really good advice to me.

BF&A prefer the church setting to perform in, feeling that they are not as rushed in their performance and don’t feel any “competitive” spirit, although they are equally as comfortable in the concert setting. Brian said that when you come to see BF&A, be prepared to have church. I was very impressed that they did have time at the end of the concert to have an altar call. Brian says that it is their goal to have an altar call as often as possible.

I did ask them what they did to keep themselves “spiritually” in tune. Brian’s response was that they make sure that they are in their home churches on Wednesday nights, and have just started taking one Sunday a month off to be in their own church services.

One exciting happening for BF&A that is coming soon is a “live” recording in New York City, being booked by both the Christ Tabernacle and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choirs. This is scheduled to happen on June 22 and 23, 2003.

In describing the sound of Brian Free and Assurance, their goal is to continually go forward. Not going back to any sound that they may have had. Brian believes that their sound is mainstream with a Progressive SG flair, and I tend to agree.

If you get a chance to see BF&A in concert, then go, you will not be disappointed. You will hear some mighty high singin’ and some mighty low singin’, and a lot of good harmony in-between. 

Reader Comments

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, James, but Brian is the owner/manager & the group does bear his name, so why not have him outfront. If you listen to this project, however, you will see that the others are not just his backup singers but do a terrific job in the feature position. I better quit before I say too much. :shutup:

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

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