It’s been nearly twenty years since I wrote an extensive feature article for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine about The Churchmen (see BU, November 2003), a gospel bluegrass band from Virginia that formed in 1989. While, like most groups, they have experienced a few personnel changes over the years, founding member Keith Clark is still with The Churchmen and now plays bass with the band rather than guitar. Banjo-player Carroll Arnn joined in 2012. A songwriter and lead singer, Arnn had a hand in composing the two opening songs on The Churchmen’s eleventh album, “Heaven on my Mind” and the title cut, “Shadow of the Cross.” With the band since 2018, mandolinist Greg Jones also wrote two songs for this project, “Heaven’s Not the Place” and “I Know He’ll Let Me In” that features an entertaining call-and-response arrangement with the full quartet. Guitarist Jay Adams penned the closer, “Plain Air Ride.” The singing gospel quartet is joined by guest fiddler Nathan Aldridge.

Associated with the reputable Mountain Fever record label (and now its gospel subsidiary Morning Glory Music) since the early 2000s, The Churchmen have consistently and regularly released excellent bluegrass gospel music albums. Shadow of the Cross follows their 2019 album A Mountain to Climb. During the course of the band’s history, they have consistently maintained an exciting traditional sound and fresh repertoire that have good drive and energy behind them. The Churchmen’s songs are founded in good feelings, attitude, and of course, the band members’ love of bluegrass music, their use of it to share the gospel, and their brotherly love. Singing Dwayne Harmon’s “Preach the Truth,” they vocalize their intent to keep preaching the word with love and honesty. The Churchmen continue their mission to show people that gospel music and being a Christian are fun and exciting. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)