Gospel Messengers with Jerry Rasmussen

Since charming our audience here in 1996, Jerry Rasmussen has made a few changes: He retired as a nature museum director, married a lovely wife and joined a Union Baptist gospel quartet. Now he is one busy, happy man, and we are pleased to bring him back to the festival along with the Gospel Messengers. Traditional songs pepper Jerry's performances and help inspire his original songs. The warmth and wit of his songs about small town life surface in his original gospel songs, too.

The Gospel Messengers were called into being in February 1997 when Jerry picked up his electric guitar and joined bass singer Joseph Evans, baritone Franklin Cummings and tenor Derrick Hanchard. They draw upon the rich wealth of black gospel quartet music sung by groups like the Sensational Nightingales, the Five Blind Boys and the Swan Silvertones. Each member of the group brings a long history of singing and performing in groups. Now, Jerry says he's a busier musician than ever. The group has performed widely on the East Coast at churches, folk festivals, concert series and museums, as well as on radio and television. They are currently working on their first album.

Way to retire, Jerry.