Over the years…
Jim and Shirley are 1978 graduates of Olivet University near Chicago. An accomplished organist, Jim graduated with a B.A. in Business and Music Theory, and worked for General Foods Corp., while Shirley graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Physics, and worked as a Nuclear Test Engineer for Commonwealth Edison.
However, in 1984 they felt His leading them into a full-time music ministry. Over the next 32 years, they performed more than 3000 concerts across 46 states and in 18 denominations, and their music has been used worldwide.
Their repertoire spans a variety of styles--from the contemporary sound of the Coasts, to southern gospel, to the traditional and inspirational in the Midwest. From a technical standpoint, their performing full-time developed a professional rapport that allowed audiences to feel at ease and enjoy their presentation. But most importantly, every song was introduced and sung in a spirit that is Christ-centered and personally understood by each individual in attendance.
Today, Jim and Shirley no longer sing full time and enjoy a slower pace that allows them to be home more and see their grandchildren often. They reside just outside of Santa Barbara, California.
An update on the girls
A note from Jim and Shirley on our daughters.
From 1984 through 1997, we traveled the country with our three daughters. They performed with us in 46 states and over 2000 concerts. It requires little effort to still picture them standing on chairs as they sang with us. Few people know how many traditional adolescent activities they voluntarily sacrificed to participate with us as they grew older. There is always a concern when we as parents choose a path less frequented. As children they were always excited about traveling and performing, but we privately wondered what their reaction would be in 15 years. As they reached high school age we amended our schedule to allow them to have ample classroom experience before college. Their high school graciously worked with us as we made this transition. In 1997, Evie left for college; then Marcie in 2001; and finally Jamie in 2003. They all graduated college with academic honors. As adults, they look back on our days of travel as "irreplaceable," and we are so thankful. They have now begun their own lives, and their individual interests are varied and distinct.
Evie now resides with her husband Bob outside of Santa Barbara, California, where she owns her own business marketing in the Arabian horse industry, a lifelong love of hers. Evie is active in her church singing in the worship band. A gifted, heartfelt speaker, she recently spoke at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast for Santa Ynez Valley. We are so grateful that her relationship with the Lord has never waned. Please pray for Evie, Bob, and their boy Henry.
Married in September 2014 on a Rockies mountaintop, Marcie and her husband Trevor live in Denver, Colorado. Marcie has a heart for children and completed a Masters degree in Child and Family Therapy in 2012. She works as a therapist and credits the years of nannying while in school to prepare her well for their now-family of four. She and Trevor enjoy co-leading a small group with their church and getting outdoors to enjoy the mountains with their two girls, Grace and Nora, and a well loved dog. Pray for them as they seek the Lord's will for their family.
Before having children, Jamie’s career in hospitality marketing sufficiently primed her for the bustle of being mother to three. Outside of some freelance work, she is currently a stay-at-home mom and most enjoys spending time with a few of her most demanding “clients”—Nehemiah, Miriam, and Ezra. She and husband Josh love their church in Carpinteria, California. Please pray they would embody the gospel to their three children and those around them.