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Your Group  had a big year in 2004 both professionally and personally. Fill everyone in on what has happened with the group!

Things seem to be happening so fast that it is hard to keep up with what has happened, but I will try.  My first two grandsons were born, actually on the same day, May 25 th 2004, Logan Nathaniel Penhollow & Elijah David Crabb.   That was a very cool thing.  I now have eight grandchildren and another one on the way.  I heard through the grapevine that we are getting another little girl, seven girls, WOW!

The Crabb Family did a video at the world famous Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York.  It was the first video recorded in the beautiful new s anctuary. It even features a message by Pastor Jim Cymbala as well as the award-winning choir led by Carol Cymbala featured on “THROUGH THE FIRE”.  What a wonderful day that was!  Many people filled the altar; it was a glorious day. The service should be out on DVD & CD very soon.

Terah rejoined the Crabb Family- we were very excited about that!  Jonathon,Terah, & Logan moved to Hendersonville with the rest of the kids, making us all VERY happy!

The Crabb Family was honored with multiple Southern Gospel News awards, multiple Diamond Awards, Dove Awards for Album and Song of the Year.  They even got a Grammy nomination!  Imagine that- the Crabb kids in L.A.  They even took Mom and Dad with them- that's the Beverly Hillbillies!    Also, the Southern Gospel Music Guild honored the kids as Group of the Year, and Jason Male Vocalist of the Year at the Harmony Honors. The thing that is so great about these awards is the selection process (tickets sold, album sales, & radio), and the people within the Southern gospel community vote (your peers), then the votes are sent to an accounting firm and counted.       All of the above makes you feel good about winning.  Hey, I even won the Songwriter award, which I cherish.  It does any daddy good to see the world appreciate his children.  I think they're the best, but when you say you like them too, it makes this Pappy happy!

This was the year for the Crabb Family Band, Micah Swiensberg (Drums), Justin Ellis (Piano), Zack Smith (Lead Guitar), joined Lorie Sikes (Bass Guitar), Jason (Lead Guitar) Adam (Harp) Aaron (Rhythm Guitar) to form one of the best bands around and one of the few full bands in Southern gospel music. I love seeing these young people use their talents playing the music they love.

This was the year we said to the kids, "go after the young people, be yourselves.  Don't even try to be like everybody else," and the proof has been in the pudding...Hundreds of people accepting Christ in concerts, ticket sales up, abum sales up, web site hits up; it was the right thing to do. Their web site hits are up to 3 million hits a month and a recent poll shows that a large percent of their following are 29 and under. I say “PRAISE GOD” : mission accomplished!

What's next up to bat for your group?  In other words, what do you see in the immediate future for your ministry? 

So many good things are happening it makes me tired just thinking about it.  They have just signed with one of the most reputable Management Firms in gospel music, Creative Trust.  Creative Trust also manages Stephen Curtis Chapman and Third Day (both Grammy winners this year).  Every so often we have a pep rally with the whole road crew- at the last meeting I saw a group of young people that are more hungry to reach lost souls than ever before.  They are singing to the choir, but they are also reaching beyond the choir taking this great Southern gospel music to a generation of whom much has never heard it.    Most youth picture Southern gospel as a piano, and 4 men in suits.  Although this is a major part of Southern gospel, it actually spans far beyond encompassing many styles.  The factor that distinguishes Southern gospel is strong Christian lyrics!  We are constantly experiencing changes; good changes!  We are having a new bus built, and upon its completion we will be putting two buses back on the road.

Crabbfest is looking good, the Crabb Jam Tour with Crossway, & the McRaes is looking good.  The June cruise is sold out.  Who knows what to expect?   Maybe a few surprises to look forward to.  Don't be surprised where Crabb family music may turn up?

Tell us about your new  single .   Word on the street is that it is doing well.  Any stories about how well it is doing or lives it is touching? 

I think “Good Day” is doing good.  My single, “This Too Shall Pass,”  - I don't have a clue how it's doing. When I sing and people are singing along with me, then I know people are hearing it.

What are the long term plans for  your group .  What's the future hold for  your group ?

We have goals that we would like to see accomplished.  Kathy is the hardest worker that I have ever met.  With her and this new Management Firm teamed up together it is going to be exciting.  We want to take this great music we call Southern gospel to people who have never heard it.  W e're finding out when they hear it, a lot of them like it.

From the day we left that little country Church in Philpot, Kentucky we have trusted the Lord to take us where we need to go, He hasn't failed us these past ten years, and I feel the Journey has just begun.

Tell us about your worst and best concert experiences lately.  Something the fan will love to know about you!

My most recent good experience was at a Revival I was preaching in Greenville, SC. South Side Assembly of God.  A homeless man came in the Church to ask directions and stayed for the service.  When I gave the invitation, h e came and accepted Christ. After Church he said, “I came looking for directions and and I found them”.  That night someone took him to a homeless shelter and asked him if he would like to go to Church the next morning (Sunday). Yes, was his reply.   So the next morning they went by the shelter to pick him up only to find that he was gone.  They were told that he had gotten up early that morning and left.  When they got to the church, they found he had walked eight miles.  He was afraid they would forget to pick him up, so he walked. That man got something at the alter Saturday night.

My worst experience was at a concert in South Carolina, a mixed crowd.  A traditional Southern Gospel Quartet crowd,  and a Southern Gospel Mixed Group rowdy crowd. When we took the stage, some were yelling “TURN IT DOWN,” some were yelling “TURN IT UP.” It almost got into a shouting match with the crowd.  The power (sound and lights)  then went out on stage; nearly the entire crowd thought someone had turned the power off on us. I t was almost a riot.  I had never seen anything like that before or since.  I went to the bus and wept and said "God, I don't understand what happened, it broke my heart to see something like that happen at a Christian concert."  In spite of the fact that we only got to do about half our set, we had a temendous product night.  That was one concert I would have to say, I HATED .

I am supposed to tell something that the fan would like to know about me, well here goes…… I am very partial to the Crabb Family, I should be; they're my kids.  But, I also know what is behind what they do. I watched them as they gave up their young lives to go sing and minister; I've seen people praise them, and I've heard people say bad things about them. I've watched the kids sit on the front seat and cheer for some of the very people that were making ugly remarks about them.  But, I have learned a lot by watching them. Through it all they have kept their focus.  Neither the praise nor the criticism has detoured them at any time .  They are on a mission, and they know it!  I am a very "Proud Papa!"

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