All of the Incarnations of the Crabbs

[Jeff_from_Kentucky]

I didn't see a topic for the Crabb Family so I thought I would start one. We can talk about the Family group and any of the various spin-off groups.

Some of you may remember on the other board that I publicly stated that I did not like the final CD that the Crabb Family released and that I probably would not buy any of their other projects because of my dislike for that one. Many of you explained that their final project was nothing like their earlier projects, and that I should give them a chance.

Well, I finally did give them another chance when I found a used CD of theirs today - Still Holdin' On. I'm glad I broke down and bought it and gave them another chance. I'm listening to it now and I love it!

I was definitely wrong about the Crabb Family! They were pretty good and nowhere near as contemporary as their final CD!

On this CD, their style reminds me of the Hinsons from the middle 1970s.

[JimCheek]

They were not "pretty good", Jeff....they were AWESOME!!!

I had the privilege of seeing them in person a few times when they were at their peak, and I tell you, nobody could touch them!
Their awesome vocals, plus the jaw dropping talent of the band (zack, justin and micah), with Gerald writing so much of the music.....it was unbelievable.
IMHO, this was a BIG loss to SGM.......

[Billboy]

I agree with the above poster, and would add they were really awesome when Gerald still shared the stage with them. We were fortunate enough to see them several times then, plus a few more after Gerald left. If you want a good cross section of the early Crabb Family, buy their Crabb Collection cd. It is 20 of the top songs from the pen of Gerald Crabb. A handful of them were made hits by other groups, but the Crabb Family sing all 20 on this cd.

[Seaton]

I would echo what has already been posted. I first saw the Crabb Family in '96 when the Still Holdin' On recording was out. The magic of the Crabb Family was in their live performance. One of the few groups in Southern Gospel that I have every recording they put out. And as far as Crabb Revival. I also enjoy them because they still know how to put on a great live performance!!

[Maestro]

Can someone provide a quick synopsis of what happened to the Crabb family and the group? Who went where? What direction are they going, etc..?

Last I heard them or anything about them was "Through the Fire" when they were peaking. I just don't keep up with them.

[ChrisUnthank]

Maestro - the Crabb Family was peaking about the time of "Through the Fire" - well peaking probably isn't the right word. Plateau would probably be better. After "Through the Fire" they released a host of other #1 hits like "The Cross," "Don't You Wanna Go?," "The Walk," and a host of others. The closer they got to retirement the more they went towards a more inspo/middle of the road sound. They ended in 2007 with <i>Letting Go</i>, which overall wasn't viewed as their best work, but by the time it released they weren't even traveling together anymore.

They've splintered off by Jason going solo. His debut solo CD is being released on Spring Hill Records later this year. Adam and Terah joined forces with the Crabb Family's guitar player (Zach Smith) and drummer (Micah Schweinsberg) and formed Crabb Revival (also joining the group was their cousin Jedidiah and Zach's wife Amanda). Aaron started a group with his wife Amanda. Last I saw them they had a terrific piano player/third vocalist who I can't remember his name at the moment. Kelly started Mike & Kelly Bowling with Mike. They have a third vocalist (Chris Whitaker just recently replaced Jeff Snyder) and are looking for a piano player.

I believe Justin and Lori (of the Crabb Family band) went with Jason and tour with him.

Gerald is still writing songs and touring as a soloist/evanglist.

Kathy is now working in realty in the Nashville area and is doing quite well.

Mike & Kelly have had the most radio exposure so far - 3 back-to-back #1s. Crabb Revival and Aaron & Amanda Crabb have both done very well - a couple Top 20's apiece.

[Maestro]

Thanks so much for the good info...great post

[KathyVanHorn]

I've been keeping up with this on Facebook, but I thought everyone should read it here, too.


Update on Eva's Fall

April 23rd Eva Lyn fell from a 2nd floor window in Hendersonville, Tn. Aaron and I were attending the Dove awards at the Opry house. We received the phone call about 8pm that Eva had fallen. When the ambulance arrived they decided to take her to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. We immediately headed there. Our nanny rode with Eva and my mom went to stay with Eli and Hannah.

Eva was at the home of our Nanny along with brother Eli and cousin Hannah. They were playing in a back bed room when our nanny realized Eva had a diaper that needed to be changed. She went into the other room to grab Eva a diaper and wet wipes when she walked back into the room Eva had already fallen. In Hannah and Eli’s words, Eva saw a little girl outside blowing bubbles and got excited. She sat on the window seal to look out and that is when she fell out backwards.
When we arrived at the hospital, nothing could have prepared us for what we saw. There laid our little girl in a trauma unit with a neck brace, covered in blood. She had about a 6 inch long laceration on the very top of her head and her mouth was filled with blood also. The awesome thing is that she was very alert and very mad! As soon as she heard my voice she started asking for Mommy and Daddy. They allowed us to come over top her head and comfort her. Aaron and I began trying to calm her down as they were getting everything they needed to start the process. As I looked at my baby I wanted to scream but I knew I had to be calm for her. We just started praying with everything that was in us. We didn’t care who was around or what they thought. I started praying over the doctors hands and asking God to guide them. At this time Aaron had to step out of the room. We didn’t want Eva to see us get real upset. Aaron went out to the front to find that so many of our family members had already gotten there. He fell in the arms of his brother Adam and wept. We are so grateful to have such awesome family and friends.

Aaron came back to the room to give me a chance to step out. Thinking about it now it all feels like a dream. I went to the front and of course there stood our family. Shellye and Kristi grabbed me and started praying for me. No one really knew what to say other than pray.

The doctors wouldn’t touch Eva until they did a CT scan. She had such a fight in her that they were not able to get the scan the first time. They took her back to the trauma unit and asked us to get her calmed down. Everyone left the room and it was just us. I said Eva you want us to sing to you, and of course her response was yes. We began to sing a song she loves, “we fall down we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. The Greatness of mercy and love at the feet of Jesus, We cry Holy, Holy, Holy, We cry Holy, Holy, Holy, We cry Holy, Holy, Holy Is the lamb”.

Eva would sing that song every once in a while and one time she looked past us and said, Mommy you see that man? She said he came down because we sing holy.

I knew that if the angles had came down before they would do it again. There was such a sweet presence that filled that room and all I could do was raise my hands and weep. Our little girl went into a peaceful sleep and we were able to get the scan.

As the scan was taking place I turned my back and prayed for a miracle. My biggest fear was finding something wrong on the scan. As it looked you didn’t know if her neck was okay if her spine was still together. The laceration on the very top of her head let us know she landed on her head. Also there was the fear of internal damage. At this point so many people were praying for our little one that I knew God would take care of her.

Finally the test came back and God had given us our miracle. Everything came back negative. So they started the process of stitching up her head. The doctor did a great job and it looks as if it will heal well. After that I asked them to check inside her mouth one more time and of course the roller coaster bottomed out again. They found that the inside of her bottom lip had detached from her jaw bone. So the excitement of getting ready to head home turned into having to completely put her under and have surgery on the inside of her mouth.

We were released from the hospital about 4 am. We want to thank all of you that prayed for our baby. We truly believe that all the prayers of the saints are what pulled her through.

So many people came to be with us at the hospital. All of our family that could we appreciate and love each of you. We couldn’t have made it without you. Ed Leonard, Michael Turner, Crystal Burchett Johnson, The Tills, The Corley’s, Smith’s, Rick and Micah, Rick Goodman and even Donnie McClurkin. We are humbled that you would take time out to check on our family. We are blessed to have you all in our lives.

Please continue to pray for Eva for she has a long road ahead of her. Today is Saturday and she is still very sore and swollen. But she is still Eva… Playing and asking for her passy!

The enemy has tried several times to take our little baby, but God has faithfully had his hand on her.

When I was 6 weeks pregnant many of you will remember there was an empty yolk sack and no heart beat. 2 weeks later there was a healthy 8 week old fetus. 5 month check up they thought something was wrong with her kidneys. 2 weeks later they couldn’t find what was there before. In delivery my Doctor looks at me and said this has to be the last push (I didn’t know why at that moment), When Eva came out the Doc put his fingers around the cord that was so tightly wrapped around her neck cutting off her air way. She was the worst color of purple you ever seen. He ripped the cord in two allowing her to breathe.

Last April she was playing outside with her brother when she started acting strange. We brought her in and set her in the bath when she passed out on us. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she lost all color. We couldn’t even tell if she was breathing it was so faint. We rushed her to the hospital, again praying like no one was around and God proved he’s faithful again. Before they could even get her hooked up to anything she came to her self. He sees us and he knows right where we are!

Please also pray for our nanny. She is having a hard time blaming herself. This was an accident and we do not in any way blame her. She is a precious soul that cares for our children with a loving heart! Eva was even asking for her Stephie when she lay in the hospital. Big brother is having a hard time as well. This has been a trying time for all of us. But still God’s grace is sufficient! Thank you all for everything!

Amanda & Aaron

Cards may be sent to

242 W Main St #186
Hendersonville, Tn 37075


Amanda had written on FB that Eva had hit an air conditioning unit, and then onto the ground. When they asked Eva about the fall, she said that an angel had caught her. I believe she is correct.

[smokymtnsanta]

Thanks Kathy for posting this. God is Good!

[Melissa]

I was crying when I read that post. I'm praying for Eva and her family.

[AmyR]

I've got a question about the Crabbs (and BTW that was quite a story!).

I bought a song off of iTunes last night from Yesterday, Today & Forever (1997). I'm just curious if anyone knows who is leading on it... The song is "I Won't Walk Without Jesus." It is great listening!

The voice is kind of husky and country-style like Gerald Crabb's, but it sounds so much younger to me that I wonder if it is one of the boys. (It sounds a little like them, too.. ) If it is Jason/Aaron/Adam, then I would have to say their style of singing changed a lot after that!

[1970rodney]

I've got a question about the Crabbs (and BTW that was quite a story!).

I bought a song off of iTunes last night from Yesterday, Today & Forever (1997). I'm just curious if anyone knows who is leading on it... The song is "I Won't Walk Without Jesus." It is great listening!

The voice is kind of husky and country-style like Gerald Crabb's, but it sounds so much younger to me that I wonder if it is one of the boys. (It sounds a little like them, too.. ) If it is Jason/Aaron/Adam, then I would have to say their style of singing changed a lot after that!

I am about 100% sure it is Jason.

[AmyR]

I've got a question about the Crabbs (and BTW that was quite a story!).

I bought a song off of iTunes last night from Yesterday, Today & Forever (1997). I'm just curious if anyone knows who is leading on it... The song is "I Won't Walk Without Jesus." It is great listening!

The voice is kind of husky and country-style like Gerald Crabb's, but it sounds so much younger to me that I wonder if it is one of the boys. (It sounds a little like them, too.. ) If it is Jason/Aaron/Adam, then I would have to say their style of singing changed a lot after that!

I am about 100% sure it is Jason.

Thanks! I can hardly believe it is the same guy ... I mean, didn't he sing "Please Forgive Me"? It has a totally different sound. I enjoy this more than just about any of Jason's singing I've heard till now ... He must have taken voice lessons since then. lol (Please understand I'm referring to a Purely Personal Preference. McCray Dove is one of my style of vocalists, and that's a world apart from most of the Crabb Family music I've heard!)

He just sounds so much like his dad here ... My first preference is traditional SG male quartet stuff, but there is a little spot down in my heart for this "country" style.

[KathyVanHorn]

I just got an email from Kelly Bowling confirming that it is Jason singing lead on that song.

[smokymtnsanta]

TBN tomorrow night:

Be sure to watch Praise the Lord Friday night, May 15, at 9:00 CST (check your local listings for channel). Aaron & Amanda will be featured along with David Ring, and Angelo and Veronica . . . all hosted by Jason Crabb! It's going to be a great evening!

[JimCheek]

TBN tomorrow night:

Be sure to watch Praise the Lord Friday night, May 15, at 9:00 CST (check your local listings for channel). Aaron & Amanda will be featured along with David Ring, and Angelo and Veronica . . . all hosted by Jason Crabb! It's going to be a great evening!

I won't miss that one!!!!!
Haven't seen David Ring in a LONG time.
Thanks, Santa.

[smokymtnsanta]

Welcome Jim.

[Mr. Big]

I attended a Crabb Reunion in Cherokee, NC Saturday night. It was wonderful. The mountains in the backdrop of the ampitheater were beautiful. The bad news is it was very poorly attended. I can't imagine they could coax them all back again next year. A couple of other things:

1. Terah didn't perform with Crabb Revival for the first 3-4 songs and I wondered why. Adam then said "Is it OK if I bring my sister Terah up on the stage to sing one with us?". I thought, of course it is since she's in the group. He then announced that about a month ago she had decided to drop from the group to stay at home and be more of a mother and wife. I was surprised I hadn't heard this before.

2. Jason performed songs from his upcoming album (June 30 release) and they were very good.

3. Aaron and Amanda's daughter Eva was there and she was very healthy, running and climbing on everything and driving her mom and nannies crazy,

4. Mike and Kelly's daughters performed and were very cute. The oldest one then subbed for her mom on "He Pilot's My Ship" and got a rousing ovation.

Overall a wonderful day (almost 6 hours) spent with the Crabbs.

[hopperfan]

I saw on the Singing News website where Terah is coming off the road to spend more time with Logan since he is starting school in the fall.

[U376977]

I heard Jason twice in the last couple of months. Don't get me wrong, he is a great singer. But he shouts out a lot of his singing; somewhat, though not as bad, as the lead in Selah. And that is not my preferred style. But he is an awesome entertainer/minister. He has a lot of passion in his singing and that "sells." I really enjoyed the concerts. His new CD is going to have a song on it, I think it is called "amazing grace" or something like that, look for the song. I am sure it will be a hit. It is about a guy that comes to church not looking the part and is exposed to the hypocrits...powerful message.
What really impressed me is Justin Ellis, keyboard player. He had the electric keyboard and a porta B3 "xB2 hammond organ (I own one myself). He played both and brought down the house! I even wanted to buy a solo CD but he has not recorded one. He is one to be watched. He is versital also, he played the SG but Jason also does a R&B/gospel/SG type sound...Justin rolled out blues licks like they were nothing. I could have listened to him play another hour.