About 10 years ago, the only people who heard the bluegrass gospel band The King James 1611 Boys perform was the congregation at their church, Mountain View Baptist, in Cowpens, S.C.
They still often sing in Mountain View Baptist, but now their voices also are heard in a growing number of venues and at bluegrass festivals, including performances Saturday at the Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival at Elijah Clark State Park, 10 miles east of Lincolnton, Ga., on U.S. Highway 378.
Also known to fans as the "KJ Boys," the group takes its name from the King James version of the Bible and the year it was published. Their pastor suggested the name.
"In church we loved singing Southern gospel music, and we all also love bluegrass music," guitarist Randy Spencer said in a telephone interview. "So, we said, 'Heck, we love it, and we're going to start a bluegrass gospel band', and that's what we did. Everything started snowballing after that."
Masters Tournament patrons might not know of Mr. Spencer's musical talents, but they buy his work every year at Augusta National Golf Club: He is a graphic designer employed by a company in Inman, S.C., that is authorized to use the Masters logo on products.
His brother, Jarred, plays mandolin with the King James 1611 Boys when he's not working in a Spencer family business as an industrial insulation supervisor. Other group members are Kyle Atkins, mandolin player and a financial adviser; Derek Mabry, Dobro player and electric company lineman; his brother, David Mabry, banjo player and power company manager for the city of Greer, S.C.; Mike Kester, fiddle player and truck manufacturing employee; and Jeff Dover, bass player and firefighter for the city of Gaffney, S.C.
"We've been together for about 10 years and have been on the road doing shows for six," Mr. Spencer said.
In October, the KJ Boys hope to have out its first major-label bluegrass CD on Son Sound Platinum Records based in Bessemer City, N.C. They still don't have a name for the 10-song album, but one fan suggested Thumpin' the Devil, after a song they do called Thumpin' the Devil in the Head with a Hickory Stick.
Mr. Spencer said the group is proud of what they have accomplished, especially of the respect they have received from bluegrass and gospel music stars.
"We were doing a show at the Brevard, N.C., Music Hall with Jim and Jesse McReynolds, of the Grand Ole Opry, and The Lewis Family," Mr. Spencer said. "I looked over in the wings, and there was Jim McReynolds singing along with us and giving me the thumbs up sign. I'll never forget that. He might as well as have just hugged my neck. I could have sung another 10 hours."
Don Rhodes has written about country music for 34 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.
IF YOU GO
What: Fifth annual Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival
Where: Elijah Clark State Park, 10 miles east of Lincolnton, Ga., on U.S. Highway 378.
When: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11:25 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5:25 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free, but the park charges a $3 parking fee
Friday Lineups: Southern Bluegrass, Darlene and The Amicks, Southern Travelers, Bluegrass Confederation and Wait-N-Csaturday lineup: Abney Road, Southern Bluegrass, J.N. & Onie Baxter, Paul Hopkins as host for the LouZee Banjo Pull (sponsored by the LouZee Banjo company), King James 1611 Boys, J. Monroe Smith with Etterleeroad, Smalltown Bluegrass, Mountain Angels, Old Virginia Homestead and Cane Creek
Sunday lineup: Old Virginia Homestead, Paul Hopkins as host for the LouZee Banjo Pull, Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold, J. Monroe Smith with Etterleeroad and Smalltown Bluegrass
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