How did the Whisnants come into being?
The Whisnants started singing 36 years ago. It all started with Jeff's mom and dad and his brother. They started singing regionally and just on the week-ends. I came into the picture after Jeff and I started dating in 1985. I began singing with his family. We bacame a trio in 1988 which included Jeff, myself and Jeff's brother John. We surrendered to a full-time ministry in January of 1990. John answered the call to preach in 1994 and we then hired Curt Davis who sang with us for 7 1/2 years. After he left, we hired Aaron Hise and he's been with us for 5 1/2 years. We love traveling and singing about the Lord and His goodness.
Describe the sound that the Whisnants have today. Has it changed through the year?
The Whisnants have tried to maintain the same sound as we've always had. I'm of the opinion, "If it ain't broke.... don't fix it". The people that love The Whisnants today, will hopefully love them ten years from now.
The Whisnants are known for singing great material. How do get the songs you sing? Tell us about some of your great hits.
Thanks for that comment!!! No one knows what we go through when we are choosing material for a project. We look for songs that minister to us and songs that "stick in our heads", so to speak. If we love them, and they minister to our hearts, then I believe they'll be effective to our audience. We are great friends with some of the most awesome writers and they ususally will write songs with our ministry in mind. Some of our greatest songs have been...... "Is Anything Too Hard for God", "What You Took From Me", "The Next Time That You See Me', "Even In The Valley", "God's Bigger Than That" and "New Day Dawning"..... Our current song is "Thank God for Grace".
Susan, how do you keep those three guys in line? Who's the biggest "baby" on the bus? Who's the biggest "prankster"? Whose the biggest "mess maker"?
Wow..... what a question!! Hum.... As far as keeping them in line?.... that's a job!!! Seriously, they all pretty much take care of me. They haul me around while I hold the couch down and "man" the remote. We have an awesome time on the bus and this is a great team to travel with. As far as the biggest baby....That's probably me!! The biggest prankster".... that would have to be Eric Ollis although Aaron Hise runs a close second. My big question is "how much further?.... or how many hours will this trip take?.... They NEVER tell me the truth. A two hour trip will be 6 and 1/2 hours.... they just love to watch the distressed look come over my face. There's much more but we'll leave it at that. The biggest mess-maker?..... Would have to be my kids.... and probably their mommy!!! (me). After I get dressed on Sunday morning, rushed for time, it looks like a bomb has gone off in the back of the bus. I'll start fussing at Austin and Ethan... and then I look and..... it's all my clothes!!!
Now that you've had a keyboard player for a while, what's the difference for you between using a "live" musician or just tracks?
Wow... Eric has added so much to our program. I love to use the tracks but alot of times we will go back and repeat a verse with just piano. Eric can read my mind on stage and is able to follow us every step of the way. He has such a sweet touch to his piano playing... a lot of feeling... and its very obvious. I Don't think I would ever want to be without a piano player..
Guys, how much does Susan "primp" on the bus? Does having a classy lady like Susan on the bus hamper your lifestyle? Do you ever have to "clean up" after her?
Well, thats a loaded question. She doesn't primp too much, just right before we go in to sing. Lets put it this way, she seldom is "early" coming into a church or concert hall to sing. Having a classy lady on the bus is cool because we love her. Eventhough Southern Gospel has and is recognizing her as one of their finest, she never lets that go to her head. To us she's still "Sue" or "Princess Latidah" as she is affectionately know as on the bus. As for cleanup - Yes, at times. Sue never throws away packaging materials, ie, empty Splenda packs, paper off or Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls etc. However, she cleans up after us too. It all equals out.
What song do each of you think has ministered to you audience the most? What song that the Whisnants sing has ministered to each of you the most?
As for Jeff, I feel "Is Anything Too Hard For God" has been the most ministering song we have ever done. We could have written a book out of all the stories, emails and phone calls we received by folks that were helped by that song. Personally, "Even In The Valley" has ministered to me. I recently found out that my Dad has cancer. That puts things in a whole different perspective. I am walking that "valley" each day now and "God Is Still Good".
Susan was having some vocal problems, what has she done to remedy that?
Wow.... 2004 and 2005 were very trying years for me. I found out in 2004 that I had a cyst inside my left vocal cord that was inoperable. You know what? God healed me after much prayer from His people.
How do you want the Whisnants to be remembered? What are you doing to make that legacy happen?
I want The Whisnants to be remembered as a group that was faithful to their calling, faithful to their roots, faithful to their Lord no matter what went on in the 'industry". We want to be known as a group that loves people, other singers and known as encouragers. Other groups or fans can call us and ask for prayer and know we will try to touch Heaven on their behalf. We are trying to let time and history bear out what we have stated. We don't want to be know as a group that was blown about by every new fad or idea that comes along. We know what works for us and want to stay true to that. Susan and Jeff are also raising two children (Austin and Ethan) to love Southern Gospel music in hopes that they will want to carry the "tradition".
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 09/01/2006
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 8
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I had the Whisnants at my church. They are the sweetest people. Can't wait til I get to see them again. Our church is still talking about them months later.
The Whisnants are cominig to Evansville,Ind with the Haire Family Nov,10.This could be one of the best concerts in this area in A long time.
Whisnants, my family is a big fan of your group. I love it that you said in the interview you intend to not be blown around by the winds of musical fads and what's fashionable in the industry. Thanks for being just who you are.
Whisnants are the "real stuff" and Forgiven has hosted them in the Cincinnati area a couple times. They present the message of Jesus Christ in a special way and they do it with sincerity, humor and "class". This is a great article about our friends and we pray that the Lord will continue to bless their ministry. Thanks for being encouragers to Forgiven.
The Whisnants are so faithful to use their gifts and abilities in the Lord's service. I first met them in 1984 and was so impressed by the clarity of their message and the excitement in their music. Their sound and blend have just kept getting better and better over the years. Most importantly, they are dedicated to their calling. They are such a blessing to me. I am privileged to call this wonderful family my friends.
The Whisnants are great people. I enjoy their music very much.
You won't find a more dedicated bunch of people out there singing for the Lord. I was happy to be on the same program with them back in the 90's while I was singing Tenor for The Kensmen Quartet out of Fort Mill, S.C. Susan's parents used to have a trio that also had a great sound and her dad's not a bad preacher if I say so myself!!
I dearly love each of the Whisnants. They are such wonderful nice christian folks. I could listen to their music all the time. My kids love them as well. I think me and my family are their #1 fans.
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