How long have you been singing or playing an instrument? I’ve been singing along with records and the radio since I was 8 to10 years old.  I started playing guitar at age12. After 30+ years of playing and singing in three rock and roll bands and singing in a variety of church choirs, the Lord put it on my heart to concentrate on singing for "The Rock". At age 23, I joined the choir at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. The choir was working on their Christmas cantata, “Messiah”. The Minister of Music at that time was a wonderful man with a rich baritone voice named Charles Storey. He told me , “Jim, God didn’t make enough tenors”, so that’s how I ended up in the tenor section in my first choir, even though my natural voice range is baritone. My first church solo was “Be Thou My Vision”, sung at Highland Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. in the mid 70’s. Over my life, I’ve been blessed to have sung as a member of five different Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist church choirs in two states. Along the way I participated in community chorales and even dabbled in Little Theater musicals, like “Camelot”, “Fiddler On The Roof” and “Yeomen Of The Guard.” Who or what influenced you to start singing/enjoying gospel music? Without a doubt, my Mother was the largest influence in my music development. In addition to writing/singing beautiful music and accompanying herself on the organ in our home, she took me to several Gospel singings. That’s where the early seeds of Gospel music were planted. I had the pleasure of hearing groups like the Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, The Happy Goodmens, The Singing Speer Family and others. My uncle, P.G. Greer, had a Beverly Shea type voice and I was always blessed when he would sing, “How Great Thou Art”, while Mother accompanied him. Over the years, she also invited other singers into our home and they pre-recorded their music for a weekly, Sunday afternoon local radio show. One night, my fiancee then and now my darling wife of more than 30 years and I, went to hear a Billy Graham program in Montreat, N.C. While we were there, I was so powerfully touched when Ethel Waters sang her signature song. It was the first time I’d ever heard it and it still moves me today as I think back to her looking up in the balcony as she sang, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”. What other gospel singers/quartets have influenced you? Cathedrals, Gold City, The Kingdom Heirs, Legacy 5, Greater Vision, David Phelps, Mark Lowry and Guy Penrod. I credit the Welcomaires and Jim and Kathy Knox for actually getting me interested in singing in a quartet. They had a significant affect on rekindling the seeds planted in faith by my Mother many years before. What’s your favorite gospel quartet or singer? The Gaither Vocal Band, especially when Mark Lowery was with them. What’s your favorite gospel song (current and historical)? Tough question. There have been so many great ones. Historically, for a group selection, I’d say “Beulah Land” by the Welcomaires, “We Shall See Jesus”, “Sinner Saved By Grace” and “Boundless Love” by the Cathedrals. “There Rose A Lamb” by Gold City. I really like “Loving God, Loving Each Other” and “Mary Did You Know” by the Gaither Vocal Band, as well as, “Faith Unlocks The Door, Glory To God In The Highest” and “Taller Than Trees” by the Old Friends Quartet. Your favorite scripture? “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. John 14:27 (NIV). “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 (NIV). How is God calling you through the Gospel Edition ministry? Because Jesus commanded us in “The Great Commission” in Matthew 28:19 to, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” I hope by using our God-given talents we can touch the hearts and lives of all who hear Him through us, to feel His love, compassion and grace.