IN LOVING MEMORY

This website is dedicated to the loving memory of Myrtle Easter, the wife of Russell for 52 years before her death on March 17, 2003. She was instrumental in starting the group and supported it faithfully with her dedication and prayers. She is survived by her husband, 3 children (Russell Jr., Linda, and Roger) as well as 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Shannon Dawn Easter. We love you and miss you!!

From the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to the West Coast and all points in between, the American people are being treated to a special blend of music by the Easter Brothers .

This trio of men--who actually are brothers--are helping forge a new frontier in gospel music for their unique style. some call their style of singing bluegrass/gospel. Others have termed it traditional country/gospel. Whatever name you choose to call it, you will have to agree it is music in its purest form.

Music with feeling, depth, sensitivity and backed with a solid message. There is a special magical feeling one gets when listening to the Ester Brothers sing. You are transformed as you listen to their clear style of singing back to the days of simpler times and purity in thinking. Perhaps this is what stands out most in their music, it is clear, pure and simple. Not complex by musical arrangements that confuse the intent of the songs; but good, honest simplicity. Their fabulous harmony, augmented by the purity of their instruments is further enhanced by the clear cut message of faith and inspiration that mark their songs.

The reputation of the Easter Brothers as inspired songwriters of gifted material grew daily and they became known as some of the most prolific gospel tunesmiths in the gospel music profession. Many of their songs were recorded by other groups and have become standards. Among them are "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me," "The Darkest Hour," "They're Holding Up The Ladder," "He's The Rock I'm Leaning On," "Help Me Stand Lord," "Jesus, You've Just Made My Day," "Heart That Will Never Break Again," "Please Don't Tell My Daddy," "Hand Me Downs" - all just a few of the hundreds of songs penned by the three brothers. Their songs will live on in the hearts and minds of gospel music lovers for many generations to come.
Since the inception of the Easter Brothers, which was nearly 38 years ago, their music and sound has carried a very viable commercial appeal. They have recorded through the years for several major record labels, beginning with King Records, which was a major country label during the 60s, and later progressing to QCA and then their own Commandment label. They were signed by Lifeline Records which was distributed by the Benson Company owned by Granite City Studios several years ago. They are currently recording on Lifeline Records and occasionally on the well-known bluegrass label, Rebel.

While the bluegrass/gospel sound has carried the Easter Brothers to this point in their music ministry they do not want to be confined to just one segment of gospel music. Without losing the identity and soul of their music, the Easter Brothers have broadened their sound to encompass southern gospel. The commercial recording sound of the three brothers has been noted in other music circles for a long time. When they were offered a very lucrative contract to quit gospel and sing "love songs" they politely declined, telling the record label, "we are already singing the greatest love song in the world."

In 1979, the demand for the Easter Brothers was so great that they had to give up their daily jobs and devote their entire attention to music. They have appeared often on television programs such as PTL, Sing Out America, Huff Cook, Leonard Repass, Camp Meeting USA, which was aired world-wide, and several other syndicated television shows.

To listen to the Easter Brothers is a joyous occasion. One can feel the Holy Spirit moving in a meaningful way through these men. Their daily lives, the way they conduct their business affairs, the people they meet and talk with are all indicative of how much sincerity goes into their own testimony. They are humble men, with a true beauty in that humility, who believe in treating each day as a gift from God to be a witness to those they meet about a better way of life.

The Easter Brothers have been chosen by God to reveal to the world through their own special blend of music that there is hope eternal and life with abundance in the Lord

The world is a better place to live--and the gospel music industry much greater -- because the Easter Brothers sing their songs in a style that is totally American.

(Excerpts from an article printed in the Singing News Magazine, April 1984)