A Question & Answer Session with
Southern Raised
Southern Raised Band is a Gospel group in the bluegrass and classical genres. The band is comprised of 4 siblings - Lindsay, Sarah, Emily, and Matt. They have been singing and playing for the last 7 years, with the main goal of being "Committed to the Lord, each other and bringing their music to the people." And whether you have seen them in person, or just heard one of their CD's, you can say from first-hand experience that they have surely accomplished this.
The band has generously given their time, and had a question and answer session with me, via messenger. So, without further ado, here you have it - some facts about Southern Raised that we hope will bring you closer to the band and their music!
1. Brandon Merritt [BM] - "You all have been blessed with great musical talent, and surely have put a lot of work into what you do, and have come very far even in the last few years. What started Southern Raised as we know it today?"
Southern Raised [SR] - "The genesis of Southern Raised was
in June of 2007. Our parents started us in classical music at a
young age. We grew up in North West Arkansas and now live in the
Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Living in this area of the country you
hear this acoustic style music and we fell in love with it! We
thought it would be great to get some of these acoustic instruments
and just have fun together as a family on our porch! God had
different plans. When we were very young, our parents heard a
message on the power and impact of a family working together toward
one common goal, a ministry together. They began praying way back
then that God would give us a ministry, something we could do
together as a family. 7 years ago, when we got our acoustic
instruments, a friend in our hometown of Missouri asked if we would
come play for their church senior function. The instruments were
brand new and we quickly worked up a set of songs! Actually,
Southern Raised didn't even know how to sing or harmonize back then!
We played a whole hour of instrumentals! We thought that would be
like patting your head and rubbing your stomach! :) It was from that
first concert that doors began to open and have opened for the last
7 years across the country. We have toured coast to coast, north and
south, and in between. The band will tour in Canada multiple times in
2015 as well. We believe with all our hearts that this is the answer
to our parent's prayers so many years ago! We thank God for the
opportunity to share His great message of love with the world
through song!"
2. BM - "Who would you say has had the greatest influence on your music?"
2. BM - "Who would you say has had the greatest influence on your music?"
SR - "Well, for us Bach and Beethoven have had a great influence upon our music! Our classical training has molded who we are as acoustic musicians and vocalists today."
3. BM - "Having started out with a classical background, what brought you to love the bluegrass style, and how have you been able to incorporate classical into your current music?"
SR - "Early in our lives we heard this style of music and developed a love in our hearts for it. We watched other family bands and it inspired us! I think the classical music comes out in different ways. In our arrangements, or the music we write as a band has a classical flair. Matt wrote a piece on our new CD project called, River of Rest. This piece has what I would call a Celtic/Classical flair. We actually perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons Movement Summer on our acoustic instruments! This has been filmed concept video style. This is not something we think about, it is just who we are and it is interwoven through all our music. Classical music is the foundation of who we are and all else just builds upon that. Some of the greatest advice we ever received was 'To be true to God and who you are.'"
SR - "Early in our lives we heard this style of music and developed a love in our hearts for it. We watched other family bands and it inspired us! I think the classical music comes out in different ways. In our arrangements, or the music we write as a band has a classical flair. Matt wrote a piece on our new CD project called, River of Rest. This piece has what I would call a Celtic/Classical flair. We actually perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons Movement Summer on our acoustic instruments! This has been filmed concept video style. This is not something we think about, it is just who we are and it is interwoven through all our music. Classical music is the foundation of who we are and all else just builds upon that. Some of the greatest advice we ever received was 'To be true to God and who you are.'"
4. BM - "What are a few of your favorite songs that you sing and play, and why?"
SR - "Choosing favorites would be hard! We
select each song carefully, studying the lyrics and message within
the songs. Our desire is that the lyrics and message of God's love
comes through in each song. However, 2 very meaningful songs to us as
a band are Ravens Still Fly and Things I've Never
Seen. God gave these to us through inspiration from His Word
and a sermon we heard preached. Things I've Never Seen came
through a scripture verse in the Psalms. Psalm 37:25 - " I have
been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." I began thinking about
that after reading it one day. Asking myself, what was the Psalmist
trying to say to us today, in ages to come? I think he was saying, "I have lived a long time and seen a whole lot of things, but I have
never seen God turn His back on His children, never seen Him leave
them alone or not provide for their needs." I am so grateful
that God promises us that whatever we walk through in this life, He
will be there holding our hand through it all! Ravens Still
Fly came from a phrase a pastor said during a message. He was
encouraging the congregation that God is still on the Throne and
working in lives today and that "Ravens Still Fly!", and
from that phrase the song was born. There are so many hurting, lonely
and broken people in the world today. They wonder if anyone else
knows what they are going through, does anyone see the tears or even
care? We want to encourage them that the same God that met with
Elijah by the brook Cherith is the same God we serve today! So take
heart, take courage, "Ravens Still Fly!"
5. BM - "You've been able to travel quite a bit with your music. Tell us what a few of your favorite and least favorite things about the road life are."
SR - "We have been blessed to travel all over
the country and meet so many wonderful, sweet people! In our travels
we have had the opportunity to see many beautiful places all over
America! We have a lot of fun together! So many memories and laughs
together! Negative would be only having a 6 gallon hot water tank on
the bus! :) lol"
6. BM - "You've made some music videos, which fans love to see. What is your favorite part of putting a video together?"
SR - "Creating our concept videos have been
so much fun for the entire band! We love all the "behind the
scenes" that goes on creating the special moments in the videos.
There are many moments "off camera", where something funny
happens or someone cannot get the right words to come out! Bloopers,
we always have lots of those! :) We have been blessed to shoot our
videos at beautiful locations. Our latest concept videos were filmed
at Barbara Mandrel's previous 27,000 sq ft log mansion called,
"Fontanel." This was an amazing venue to shoot the videos
at and made for amazing memories! Our videographer, Billy Brown, of
Evidential Productions has been absolutely amazing to work with!
Nobody can beat his work ethic! Absolutely amazingly talented, hard
worker! When we filmed the concept video for Vivaldi we
hiked down a treacherous trail in middle Tennessee, to a cascading
water fall. Billy willingly hiked the entire distance packing all his
camera gear and then back up again! Never once complained and always
enthusiastic! He is incredible!"
7. BM - "You're latest album Make A Difference (2014) sends a very important message for today, beginning with the title. Tell us a little about this album, and what effect you've seen it have."
SR - "Make A Difference" has
become a theme for the band. It has challenged us and our prayer is
that it will challenge others as well. Our band has been blessed and
encouraged beyond words to receive emails and messages from people,
sharing how this song challenged them to "Make A Difference"
and share what they are now doing to touch other lives! This is such
an encouragement and we thank God that He is using the message in
this song to reach and challenge people to change the world around
them! I think it is a "zenith" moment when we become aware
that life is about so much more than ourselves. We are all writing a
story with our lives. It is very convicting to ask ourselves, "what story will be written about our us?"
8. BM - "When someone hears a song by Southern Raised, whether live or on one of your albums, what is it that you wish for them to take away from it?"
SR - "We pray it either blesses, encourages
or challenges them in some way. As I mentioned earlier, each song is
selected with care and with a message that, Lord willing, will touch
lives. bThese songs are alive, because the message of a Risen, Loving
Savior is alive today!"
9. BM - "You've been nominated for, and received quite a few awards, and 2014 saw a new album release. A very accomplished year! Where are you planning to head in 2015?"
SR - "Wherever God leads us! He is continuing to open exciting doors in 2015 and our desire is to walk where He leads!"
10. BM - "Lastly, it seems as though you are very active on social media, posting pictures from your venues, as well as pictures of you with your fans, and even things from your everyday lives. I'm sure that the fans love this! What impact have you seen from connecting in such a close capacity with the folks that love your music?"
SR - "We love our followers and value each of
them so much! We appreciate them taking the time and taking interest
in the band. We have been blessed to develop friendships, wonderful
conversations and memories with many of them. We want them to feel
like we desire to have an interest in their lives as well. It is not
just a fan, it is a relationship. We never want to take lightly that
someone would take time to listen to us or come see us at a concert
or keep up with us on social media. We are grateful for this and want
each of them to know how much we appreciate them. Some of them we
connect with on social media and then get to meet them later in
person at a concert! It is always wonderful to meet these sweet
friends face to face! Thank you to all those who support and
encourage Southern Raised Band in so many ways! We love you!"
Thank you Southern Raised for participating in this session! And, thank you, reader, for taking your time to read this article!
Be sure to head over to www.southernraisedband.com to find out more about this wonderful band, to see their tour dates and locations, check out some of their great YouTube videos, and, of course, buy their music, which is sure to be an encouragement and blessing!!
And, find Southern Raised Band on social media!!!!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/southernrasiedband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SouthernRaisedB
This article was written by Brandon Merritt, February 2015.
Thank you Southern Raised for participating in this session! And, thank you, reader, for taking your time to read this article!
Be sure to head over to www.southernraisedband.com to find out more about this wonderful band, to see their tour dates and locations, check out some of their great YouTube videos, and, of course, buy their music, which is sure to be an encouragement and blessing!!
And, find Southern Raised Band on social media!!!!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/southernrasiedband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SouthernRaisedB
This article was written by Brandon Merritt, February 2015.
Brandon Merritt is an amateur writer, a bluegrass enthusiast, and an aspiring musician.
