For Jeff and Sheri, gospel music is genetically programmed into their DNA. As members of acclaimed musical families—Jeff’s father is one of the Easter Brothers and Sheri’s mother is a member of The Lewis Family—they grew up surrounded by the sound of people praising God through their musical gifts.
In August of 1984, both were at the Albert E. Brumley Sundown to Sunup Gospel Singing in Arkansas. Jeff, who was playing bass for the Singing Americans at the time, took the opportunity to reintroduce himself to Sheri’s mother Polly; they had met on a previous occasion. Polly introduced Jeff to Sheri and the two were married ten months later.
They traveled and performed as part of The Lewis Family for several years. But in 1988 they decided it was time to strike out on their own, and they haven’t looked back since. Also joining Jeff & Sheri on the road is their son, Madison, who plays electric guitar for the group and their daughter, Morgan, who joins them on occasion for a special solo when she’s not helping with the newest addition to the Easter family, Maura Grace. Greg and Charlotte Ritchie have been performing with Jeff & Sheri since 1994 and 1996, respectively. Their son, Landon, is a regular highlight of Jeff & Sheri’s program, offering a little comedy with help from Jeff.
Jeff & Sheri have been nominated for numerous Dove Awards and won three. They’ve also received a Grammy nomination, and Sheri has been named the Singing News Favorite Alto ten times and the Singing News Female Vocalist four times. Jeff & Sheri’s wall of awards also include three Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two International Country Gospel Music Association, nine Voice Awards for Female Artist, five Voice Awards for Song/Single of the Year, two Voice Awards for Christian Country Group, four SGM Fan Fair/USGN awards, five SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, four Hearts Aflame Awards, and three Cash Box awards. They have also participated in the Gaither Homecoming Video Series since 1993, which has sold over 15 million units.
Apart from their frequent appearances on the Gaither Homecoming tour and videos, Jeff & Sheri have a fairly heavy touring schedule of their own. “When we perform, we want people to leave a little different than when they came in,” Sheri explains. “We want them to have a great time smiling, laughing, crying and healing. We want them to know God loves them and that He is in control.”
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Jeff & Sheri Easter’s latest release, Life is Great And Gettin’ Better, embraces the sentiment by which this energetic southern gospel couple lives. Their new project is a viable, precision produced recording that musically gratifies even the most demanding enthusiast’s tastes -- while staying true to the bluegrass/progressive country/bluesy style that has become distinctly their own.
Several surprises are included within the twelve tracks that make up Life is Great And Gettin’ Better:
The title song “Life is Great And Gettin’ Better” was inspired by the newest addition to the Easter family, Maura Grace. Maura’s own affirmation creates an extra special ending for this song.
"Over And Over,” the project’s first single, is an incredible song of experiencing faith at work. "I stood at the foot of what felt like Mt. Everest, knowing I'd have the strength for the climb." Faith is knowing you'll have the strength to climb any mountain.
Country music’s multiple award-winning male artist Vince Gill loaned his incredible voice for lead and harmony vocals on “Livin’ In The Rain.” A bouncy, bluesy number, it also includes background vocals by Glen Allred and Gene McDonald of the Florida Boys.
“Old Chunk of Coal” features without a doubt one of the best country voices of our time, Daryle Singletary.
“A Lullaby,” one of Sheri’s three compositions on the album, is made even sweeter by the sound of Jeff & Sheri’s two oldest children, Madison & Morgan, accompanying their mother vocally on a song she wrote for them.
Whether you’re listening for the first time, or have been a faithful follower for years, Life is Great And Gettin’ Better is bound to touch your soul. It’s hard to find in today’s market anything quite as pleasant as what you’ll find here. Even the album jacket beckons you for a closer look. But be prepared… you’re about to be blown away. Life is Great And Gettin’ Better is just that good.
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| ACCOMPLISHMENTS Southern Gospel Female Vocalist: Sheri Easter – Cash Box Awards (1989)
Southern Gospel New Female Vocalist: Sheri Easter -- Cash Box Awards (1989)
Southern Gospel Duo Of The Year -- Cash Box Awards (1989)
Female Vocalist Of The Year, Contemporary: Sheri Easter – The Society For the
Preservation Of Bluegrass Music in America (1987, 1989, 1990)
Ms. ICGMA Georgia: Sheri Easter – ICGMA (1994)
Top Female Vocalist: Sheri Easter -- ICGMA (1994)
Favorite Female Alto: Sheri Easter -- Singing News Fan Awards (1991-1997, 2001, 2002, 2004)
Favorite Southern Gospel Female Singer: Sheri Easter – Singing News Fan Awards (1995-1998)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Sheri Easter -- The Voice (1990, 1992-1998, 2000)
Instrumentalist of the Year: Steve "Rabbit" Easter -- The Voice (1992-1994)
Christian Country Group – The Voice (1996-1997)
Christian Country Song: No Limit – The Voice (1994)
Christian Country Song: Let The Little Things Go – The Voice (1996)
Christian Country Song: Ever Since I Gave My Heart To You – The Voice (1997)
Mixed Group – Gospel Line Fan Pick Awards (2001)
Favorite Duet -- SGM FanFair/USGN Fan Awards (2006)
Favorite Alto: Sheri Easter –SGM FanFair/USGN Fan Awards (2005, 2006)
Female Vocalist: Sheri Easter – SGN Scoops Diamond Awards (2003–2005)
Bluegrass Gospel Artist – SGN Scoops Diamond Awards (2005)
Album of the Year -- SGN Scoops Diamond Awards (2003)
Special Event Project Of The Year--Best of Friends: Joyce Martin, Karen Peck,
And Sheri Easter–Southern Gospel News (2004)
Female Group Of The Year --Best of Friends: Joyce Martin, Karen Peck,
And Sheri Easter–Southern Gospel News (2004)
Country Album Of The Year – 21st Annual Dove Award Heirloom
Country Album Of The Year – 30th Annual Dove Award Work In Progress
Country Recorded Song -- 33rd Annual Dove Award Goin’ Away Party
Best Southern Gospel Album, Grammy Nomination Pickin’ The Best Live (1992)
Album of the Year: Thread of Hope -- Hearts Aflame Awards (1995)
Song of the Year: Thread of Hope -- Hearts Aflame Awards (1995)
Concept Video of the Year: Let the Little Things Go – Hearts Aflame Awards
“You’ll Reap What You Sow” -- #1 Cash Box (November 18, 1989)
“Help Me Stand Lord” -- #3 Cash Box (August 19, 1989)
“Prayer Warrior” Heirloom -- #1 CCM Update Inspirational Song (June 7, 1989)
“I Wonder If He Ever Cries” -- #1 Southern Gospel Insight (June 10, 1991)
“There Is A Way” -- #1 Christian Country (April – September 1993)
“Singing In My Soul” -- #1 CCM Christian Country
“We’re Not Gonna Bow” -- #1 Gospel Voice (Feb 2001)
“Been There, Done That” -- #1 Power Source Christian Country (August 1999)
“Thread of Hope” -- #1 Southern Notes (December 1994)
“Praise His Name” -- #1 US Gospel News
In addition, over the past twenty-one years, Jeff & Sheri have produced over forty Top 20 songs, numerous Dove Award nominations, and acquired various merits for outstanding character, humanitarian efforts, and charitable giving.
Jeff & Sheri custom version of The Adventure Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers (1991)
Cover Appearances on Singing News Magazine
Cover Appearances on US Gospel News
Cover Appearances on Homecoming Magazine
Appearances on TNN’s Nashville Now, Music City Tonight
Appearances on The Grand Ole Opry
Appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Inspirational Network
Regulars on Bill Gaither’s Homecoming Series Videos & Live Tour Dates since 1992
Southern Gospel Music Guild – Jeff Easter, board member
Southern Gospel Music Association – Sheri Easter, board member
PSGMA Membership – Jeff Easter
Southern Gospel Songwriters’ Association – Sheri Easter
DISCOGRAPHY
1987 New Tradition
1988 Homefolks
1988 Heirloom (Compilation project featuring Sheri, Candy Hemphill Christmas, and Tonya Goodman Sykes)
1989 Picture Perfect Love
1990 Brand New Love
1991 Shining Through
1992 Pickin’ The Best Live
1993 The Gift
1994 Thread of Hope
1995 By Request
1995 Silent Witness
1995 Ever Faithful To You (Love Songs: A 10 Year Celebration)
1996 Places In Time
1997 Sheri (solo)
1998 Work In Progress
1999 Sittin’ On Cloud Nine
2000 Ordinary Day
2000 Through The Years
2001 It Feels Like Christmas Again
2002 My Oh My
2003 Forever And A Day
2003 Best of Friends (Compilation project featuring Sheri, Karen Peck, and Joyce Martin)
2004 Sunshine
2005 Miles & Milestones
2006 Life Is Great & Gettin’ Better |
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