Feature Articles
01 Sep 2008
Mike & Kelly Bowling
In the whole scheme of Gospel Music Mike and Kelly Bowling is a fairly new group. Tell us a little about your history. What are you greatest challenges?
Mike began singing and playing piano at a very young age. He was only 16 years old when he embarked on a two year span singing with the LeFevres. Mike went on to earn a degree in Respiratory Therapy before returning to the music world. In 1995, he joined the New Hinsons. Mike went on to join another successful family group, the Perrys. While with the Perrys, Mike was featured on songs such as "God Sent Angels," "By Faith I Can Touch Him Now" and "Not Even A Stone."
After Mike married Kelly, he spent the next six years traveling as a soloist. He has been noted as the first Southern Gospel soloist to achieve three consecutive number one songs on the Singing News Top 80 charts ("Thank God For The Preacher," "The Call" and "I Take Him Back"). Kelly spent more than 15 years with her family, The Crabb Family. During that time they were the recipients of three GRAMMY nominations, 11 Dove Awards, 16 number one songs and numerous other accomplishments. Kelly can be heard on the family's hits "Don't You Wanna Go," "Good Day," "Jesus Will Do What You Can't" and "Trail Of Tears." After the birth of their third child, Kelly realized it was time to join Mike on stage as Mike & Kelly Bowling. In October 2006, Mike & Kelly added Jeff Snyder of Owensboro, KY.
Kelly: Our greatest challenge would have to be juggling home time and road time. Since the girls are getting older and involved in more activities at home, it is hard for us to pull them away to go on the road. However, there is no other place they would rather be than on the bus or the stage singing. Hope has already sang on some studio choir projects, she is getting ready to record her first album and she is also a part of the Belmont College Children's Choir. Katelanne just started kindergarten and is showing interest in picking up a musical instrument and dance. Gracie is just all over the place and loves to be able to run around at home. Yet, they all three sing on stage every night. It gets harder and harder to leave until we are on the road and it is harder and harder to head back home. We consistently struggle between family life at home and our road life. That is not mentioning the laundry, office work and school. Whew!
How did Mike and Kelly get together? Was it love at first sight or did Mike have to worm his way into Kelly's heart?
In February 1996 in Boaz, Alabama is where Mike and Kelly first noticed each other. The Crabb Family had sound checked for a "beg on" date, which they were added to the lineup that night by favor. Kelly and Jason were a nervous wreck because they were singing with a professional group. The Perrys were the headliner. Beckie Simmons drove from Nashville to see the Crabb Family for the first time. Mike followed Jason around asking who the girl was singing with him. Jason told him it's his little sister. Mike asked to be introduced to Kelly. Everyone encouraged the "hook up." Mike stole a Crabb Family record from the product table that night and decided immediately that Kelly was the one. This was the beginning of starry eyes and the long distance dating officially began. Mike met his biggest fans, the Crabb Family, that evening, his new girlfriend and her entire family.
Now that we know a little about Mike and Kelly, tell us about your third member.
In October 2006, Mike & Kelly added Jeff Snyder of Owensboro, KY. Jeff is a graduate of Kentucky BibleCollege with a degree in Theology and Music. Jeff currently lives in Johnson City, Tennessee with his wife Melissa. "We love Jeff like family and so glad he is apart in our ministry," stated Kelly.
Can you describe for our readers the sound that Mike and Kelly presently have
Mike: True Southern Gospel is what Mike & Kelly is and all that we will ever be. We strive on creating a sound that is as refreshing as the trio sounds of the early 70s. We try to bring a fresh approach to the sound we grew up listening to.
Your beautiful daughter, Hope, appears to have a wonderful talent in singing also. What are your plans for her in the future and how is she fitting in right now?
Kelly: Hope continues to amaze us night after night. She loves to sing both lead and harmony. She takes her place on stage and sings "He Pilots My Ship" with Mike and Jeff and nails it. She adores the great women of Gospel music from Vestal Goodman to Dottie Rambo and wants to know all the details of their lives. She loves singing and as long as that is the path she chooses, we will continue to encourage her to do it. We are all sitting back and waiting to see what happens with her talent and will go where God leads us. She is getting ready to record her first record. She has told us that she wants it to be a mix between Vestal Goodman and Hannah Montana, so we will see how it turns out. LOL All she knows is getting out there and giving it all she has and that is what she does.
Mike you have written some great songs in the past. Are you still doing much writing? Tell us about some of your latest works.
Kelly: When Mike has time to write, he does. He actually is toying around with a new song for Hope's album and Mike & I actually wrote our first song together on the new album.
You just signed with the huge record company, Canaan Records, a part of Word, Inc. That has to be a tremendous blessing. Tell us a little about what's happening with that situation.
Kelly: Everyone at Canaan has been amazing! This is a dream come true for Mike. When he was little, Mike was a member of the Canaan Record Club and still has his membership card. We recorded Faith to Believe and after talking with Dave Clark decided this would be a great debut on Canaan. Mike & Kelly have so many more opportunities with Canaan than we would on our on. We admit it is a lot of work and wouldn't just sign a deal with anyone, but Canaan felt right from day one.
What are the biggest influences in your Gospel Music careers individually? Who are your biggest influences?
We all have the same favorites. We couldn't go without saying Kenny Hinson, the Goodmans and the McGruders are the kinds of groups that have set the bar for us. We have both since childhood been drawn to groups who took the stage and held nothing back. There are individuals who have along the way influenced us personally from Sheri Easter to Alfus LeFevre, but all in all we just love good music that carries the Message.
What can a Pastor or Promoter expect when Mike and Kelly Bowling performs for them? How can a Pastor or Promoter book Mike and Kelly Bowling?
Anyone who books Mike & Kelly Bowling can expect no less than all we have. We take the platform and deliver a Message we truly believe in the best we know how. We mix up our new songs, crowd pleasers that they have heard us sing throughout our careers, to standard classics around the piano. Mike never has a set program and is very good about allowing the spirit to move. The Harper Agency books our dates and we consider them a major part of our ministry.
http://www.mikeandkellybowling.com
http://www.harperagency.com
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Written: 09/01/2008 
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