Easters

For Jeff and Sheri, Gospel music is genetically programmed into their DNA. As members of acclaimed musical families - Jeff's father is one of the Easter Brothers and Sheri's mother is a member of The Lewis Family - they grew up surrounded by the sound of people praising God through their musical gifts.

In August of 1984, both were at the Albert E. Brumley Sundown to Sunup Gospel Singing in Arkansas. Jeff, who was playing bass for the Singing Americans at the time, took the opportunity to reintroduce himself to Sheri's mother Polly; they had met on a previous occasion. Polly introduced Jeff to Sheri and the two were married ten months later.

They traveled and performed as part of The Lewis Family for several years. But in 1988 they decided it was time to strike out on their own and they haven't looked back since. Also joining Jeff and Sheri on the road is their son, Madison, who plays electric guitar for the group and their daughter, Morgan, who joins them with vocals to round out the kind of harmonies that only family can produce. The newest addition to the Easter family is Maura Grace, Jeff and Sheri's "twentieth anniversary gift to each other," who generally makes her way onstage doing anything to bring a smile.

Jeff and Sheri have been nominated for numerous Dove Awards and won five. They've also received a Grammy nomination, and Sheri has been named the Singing News Favorite Alto eleven times and the Singing News Female Vocalist four times. Jeff and Sheri's wall of awards also include three Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two International Country Gospel Music Association, nine Voice Awards for Female Artist, five Voice Awards for Song/Single of the Year, two Voice Awards for Christian Country Group, four SGM Fan Fair/USGN awards, five SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, four Hearts Aflame Awards and three Cash Box awards. They have also participated in the Gaither Homecoming Video Series since 1993, which has sold over 15 million units.

Apart from their frequent appearances on the Gaither Homecoming tour and videos, Jeff and Sheri have a fairly heavy touring schedule of their own. "When we perform, we want people to leave a little different than when they came in," Sheri explains. "We want them to have a great time smiling, laughing, crying and healing. We want them to know God loves them and that He is in control."

Madison, Morgan and Maura Easter are no strangers to the stage. Growing up in a household filled with music and with their exposure to not only their parents' music, but also that of their grandparents on both sides of the family, music for them was inevitable. At 12 days old for Madison, 9 days old for Morgan, and 11 days old for Maura, they made their first appearances on stage and in the public's eye. From early toddler years, they were always a part of the concert that Jeff and Sheri was performing. Sheri states, "These children love music and have always yearned to be a part, so we always gave them the platform to encourage this love. Both Jeff and I remember what it was like to have a desire to sing and play for the people and we want our children to have every opportunity that God offers to them."

Morgan took on the role of third part vocalist for Jeff and Sheri when she was only 14 years old. Although so young, she has already released two albums: the first at the age of five, the second the age of nine. The third is expecting to be released in the near future. Morgan is a senior in high school. She also participated in one Gaither Homecoming Kids Video titled God's Zoo. Just like her brother, Madison, Morgan is also multi-talented. For five years, she attended Stamps Baxter School of Music studying theory, singing - solo and group - as well as piano. She has also been taking piano lessons for the past ten years, and received the outstanding pianist award at the age of five when she began. Morgan held a role in the Lincoln County Middle School musical, Cinderella, as one of the evil stepsisters during her eighth grade year, in her freshman year, appeared as one of the bird girls in Suessical, in her sophomore year, she was a "Copa girl" in Copacabana, and in her junior year, took the supporting role of Rusty in Footloose. Morgan loves working on her computer and is finding her niche as a web designer.

Maura Easter is the youngest member of the Easter family, and always finds an opportunity to share the stage with her parents and siblings. Whether it's telling a joke, singing a song, or playing a drum solo, she brings a smile to audiences everywhere. Maura loves traveling and will no doubt continue to find her role among her performing relatives. Maura is now enrolled in elementary school.

Madison held roles in each of the four Gaither Homecoming Kids Videos as a child. In Homecoming Kids Camp Out, he played a feature role with George Younce on a duet titled God Likes to Talk to Little Boys. This was just the beginning! As Madison grew older, he began taking interest in playing guitar. "One day, he was about 14, I heard music coming from his room. He had picked up his guitar and began teaching himself!" says his mother, Sheri. He continued to learn, and also began writing lyrics as well as music. Aside from playing, he often enjoys working in their recording studio, engineering various artists. During his senior year of high school, he served as sound engineer for the high school musical theater department. He has not only played a role in recording audio, but was part of the Gaither camera crew for three years before taking on his role full time as guitarist for Jeff and Sheri in 2003. He has a great sense of humor and is always keeping us laughing while on the road! In the fall of 2008, he began his college studies through Brenau Online College, a satellite school of the University of Georgia system seeking a degree in business, as well as continuing to travel with his family.

Shannon is attending Brenau University seeking a degree in Business Management. She is responsible for the product table and office activities as Sheri's assistant. Shannon and Madison dated for 6 years and married December 12, 2010.

Kyle Calloway ticks for playing drums. "My dad has played since he was about 16. I can remember sitting in the old Baptist church and watching the drummers and I knew that's what I wanted to do. I picked up the sticks and started jamming out, or so I thought at the time - I was only 5!" says Calloway. "Music is kind of in my blood. My father was heavily involved and so I inherited those traits from him." Throughout his years, he continued to play and later became actively involved in the church as well as participating in a few competitions. In 6th grade, he made the All-City Band playing lead snare along with accepting the position as drummer for his church services and youth band. He accompanied the church choir as well as the youth band choir. He participated in Fine Arts Festival Competitions and advanced to the National Level under the category "Drum Solo" as well as The Street Stomp Team (percussion) for three consecutive years. He played in a band which also advanced to the National Level and was the drummer for the Merit Award Winning Youth Choir for two years. Not only has Kyle participated in percussion competitions, but he entered a competition under the song writing category and won the merit award. Kyle joined Jeff and Sheri Easter in March of 2008 thanks to his father who heard that they were in need of someone to fill the position. He made a phone call to Jeff Easter and just a few days later, accompanied Kyle to the audition.