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The Anchormen have been around for a while now. How and when did the idea for forming them come about?

Terry Carter, Michael English and Biney English had been singing for a few years in a regional group called the Singing Samaritans. Ray Bullard, who was saved under their ministry, drove the bus for a couple of years. In 1979 Terry and Ray started the Anchormen. Originally the the group was based in Kinston, NC, but later moved to Goldsboro, NC in 1981 after Terry married. I came with the group in 1983 playing drums. Eventually, I began handling some of the office duties and came off the road in 1996 to commit more time to the office. Ray and I have shared ownership since Terry Carter left in 1997.

The Anchormen are one of a very few goups who do not have any of the owners traveling with them. What brought that about and how does it work? What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?

Jason Funderburk and I stay on the phone alot to say the least. He is the road manager and I couldn't ask for a more responsible person. The daily responsibilities, I never have to worry about. That is a HUGE load off my mind. Some major desisions can be a little difficult. Like me trying to find a lease bus at 4am when ours goes down knowing they are still 400 miles from the date and Jay is handling the situation where they are. Like I said, He is my right arm on the road. The biggest advantage, is if things get to bad, I can turn my cell phone off, roll over and go back to sleep and let Jay handle it.LOL (kidding).

You guys have had your fair share of transition in the group, yet you always rebound with great singers and musicians and never lose the sharpness with which you perform. How in the world can you keep coming up with such great talent?

During the early years, I was always amazed at Terry Carter taking a decent singer, and molding them into exactly what we wanted. He may kill me for this, but when he tried Steve Ladd out and actually considered him for the job, I thought he was crazy, and I told him so. LOL. But, he said, "give me 2 months and I will show you." So, with Terry's experience and Steve's determination, it worked. The rest speaks for itself. I have always tried to listen to every group the guys worked with and looked at the individual potential and kept them in the back of my mind. Terry always took pride in a great quartet, and I try not to settle for anything less.

The Anchormen have always been known for being a very traditional group. I know that your new CD is going to be just a little edgier. Tell us about the decision to do this. What can we expect the new CD to sound like?

WOW, Its gonna be by far the best one ever from the Anchormen. This project has been in the making for over two years. We put out a couple of custom projects after "Nothing Less Than All" to carry us until we decided what direction we wanted to take. Our biggest goal with this is to bring the entire family back to the music. We are expanding our music more than ever, but we are not losing any of our old audience. I fell like we can hopefully be a part of the bridge between the younger and older crowd. That is a major goal for us. It's something everyone, and yes, it's still Southern Gospel Music. The production is by far bigger than anything we have ever done. Producer, Wesley Pritchard, is a "Genius" and I dare say he is the best decision we could have made at this point in our career.

Give us a little insight as to the personality of the guys. Who's the cut up? Who's the quiet one? Who's the unpredictable one?

Boy, this is where it gets good. LOL, Jason is the thinker. Always looking for what has to be done next. Gotta stay buzy. If there is nothing else to do, he will clean out all the the cabinets and vacuum the floor just so he can feel productive. Bryan and Will are the "Entertainers." Always bouncing off the ceiling of the bus. Never a dull moment to say the least when they are awake. Chad and Alex are all about some PLay Station. It's amazing at how many times a day you hear these words, "Hey, You're blocking the TV Man!" Lets don't forget Ron our driver and His favorite saying, "Get you're feet off my dash!" LOL (He's the best.) OH, you said who is the quiet one too, right? Sorry, not on this bus.

In all the years the Anchormen have been singing, what's the most memorable concert they have ever performed? Where, when, and why?

There is an 11 year old boy from Asheboro, NC (Matthew Woodell) who has cerebral palsy. We met Him and his family a couple years ago and He has taken all our hearts. Anytime he is at a concert, His smiling face and love for God shows so much. Even with his disabilities, we draw strength from him. To see him on the front row singing along with his favorite group always makes it the best.

If the Anchormen could only sing one more song, what would that song be? What's the reasoning behind your selection?

I think I'm safe in saying "For the Life of Me", a song on our new CD. This power ballad has already really touched us as a group. When you think of everything He ever went thru, He did it all for life of each and everyone one of us. My, what a God we serve.

What topic is most discussed on the bus? Are there any forbidden topics?

I would have to say, as far as group issues, it's about expanding what we do, reaching goals and spreading the "good news" and just seeing what He has next for us to do.

When all is said and done, what do the Anchormen want to be remembered about them?

I want people to see that we were serious about the calling and took pride in the way we presented it to the people. We may never be the biggest group in the business, But for 26 years we have tried to be our best. Im happy with that.

(Tim Bullins)
http://www.theanchormen.com

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