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An overview of the life and times of Ernie Couch & Revival
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XXXXThrough the years Nashville-based Ernie Couch & Revival has appeared in various configurations, ranging from a duo to as many as six members, and even toured as a mixed group. However, two elements, Ernie Couch and Jason Couch, have remained constant throughout the group's exciting and continuing musical journey. From its inception EC&R has produced high energy, emotionally colorful music reflective of the diverse musical heritage that has made Music City internationally famous. The group’s unique blend of traditional, country, and contemporary gospel music speaks to people of all ages and all walks of life.
XXXXThe group's journey had its beginnings in the early 1990s. Both Ernie Couch and, favorite son, Jason Couch had worked with the Plainsmen Quartet in the late 1980’s. When Ernie and Jason left the Plainsmen in the summer of 1990, they began discussing what they wanted to do in music. It was determined that they would create their own group, and over the following year they formulated what they wanted to incorporate within the purposed group. One of the first elements agreed upon, was that the group would present “live” music. Due to the reality of economic boundries the ongoing challenges of finding and keeping personnel, and the lack of individual instrumental musical skills, many groups had gone to canned music, in essence, they had become karaoke groups. Ernie and Jason wanted the flexibility and spontaneity for their proposed group, that only “live” music could give. XXXXWith reguard to the type of material the group would present, Ernie and Jason felt it should be a blend of the past and the present. They were influenced by such groups as the Statesmen and Blackwood Brothers of 1950’s and 60’s, with their great harmonies, professionalism, and energy, along with the showmanship and creativity of the Oak Ridge Boys during the late 60’s and early 70’s. In addition, Ernie had grown up listening to such ivory pounders as, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Floyd Cramer, each coloring his style, and the sounds he wanted to incorporate within the music of the new group. Another priority was that the group would serve as a vehicle for presenting original compositions penned by Ernie and Jason. There was no desire to create just another cover group singing the top-20 line-up of the day. So, it was determined that the group would strive to present a broad spectrum of material ranging from traditional gospel classics to original works. XXXXErnie and Jason felt the group should be different. Different in its approach to presenting the “good news” through music. Different in its thinking, creating, and working outside of the established box. They felt the group should be willing to work with artists from other genres of music, willing to be “performers” presenting Chirstian entertainment, and most importantly, willing to insure that the “message” of their music would always take first place. XXXXThe first advertising teasers and auditions for the group began early in 1992, and by summer, Max Collum, had signed-on in the tenor slot with, Ernie on lead vocal and keyboard, and Jason singing baritone. Max, who had been born and raised in the Jackson, MS area, had relocated to Nashville, and was doing background vocals at various recording studios around town. After much planning a hard work Ernie Couch & Revival began to take shape. As to the group’s name, it derived from the title of a solo project Ernie had recorded in 1974. Weekly practice sessions began as additional members were being sought. A few trade ads were placed in publications around the county touting the yet to be completed group and featuring its distinctive logo, all in hopes of creating some name recognition and of drumming-up future bookings. By fall, Eddie Russell, a member at Ernie and Jason’s home church in Nashville, had been enlisted as drummer, with the two remaining positions bass singer and a bass guitar player being filled in early January of the new year. The line-up was complete, and the push for bookings began in ernest. |
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Suiting up for first Ernie Couch & Revival concert (March 28, 1993) • Sign advertising first EC&R concert
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EC&R (top row) Max Collum - tenor, Jason Couch - baritone, Ernie Couch - lead & keyboard (bottom row) Wayne Clemons - bass guitar, Eddie Russell - drums (c. late-1993 to early-1994) • Addition of "Froggy" Venable on bass vocals (1994) • Recording first radio single at Ben Speer's Sweet Sixteen Studio on Music Row in Nashville (1995)
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XXXXOn March 28th, 1993, Ernie Couch & Revival presented its inaugural concert at Tusculum Hills Baptists Church in Nashville. The attendance was, according to the pastor, some 1,100 rowdy, enthusiastic, listeners who left no doubt that EC&R was off and running. However, running is not without its challenges. Within a few brief months the group’s first bass singer got married, and shortly there after left the group, along with the bass guitar player. The bass guitar position was quickly taken by Wayne Clemons from Hazel Green, Alabama, and EC&R continued on without pause as a trio.
XXXXIn 1994 Jason “Froggy” Venable filled the group’s bass position. Jason Venable had grown up in Ernie and Jason’s home church, and when a fellow member, Jake Hess, heard that the group was looking for a bass, he suggested that they give Jason a try, feeling that he had potential. Jake proved correct, and with much work and practice on his part, and with a new name, “Froggy” became an excellent bass singer who would remain with the group for over a decade. XXXXEC&R began label hunting. The group had laid down some demos in one of the many studios in the Berry Hill area of Nashville, and at Warner Brothers Studios. In 1995 the group began pitching the demos to both gospel and secular labels. Signings got close, but never quite gelled, so EC&R decided to take a page out of the playbook that many other artists had used through the years, and go ahead and record a full project, then shop the finished work. In the fall the group went into Ben Speer’s Sweet Sixteen studio on Music Row and recorded the first song for the purposed project. Ben, who sang with the legendary Speer Family, engineered and co-produced the cut. The single, If The Lord Wasn't By My Side, was released to gospel radio stations nation-wide, and proved to be the right song, at the right time for EC&R. The single opened doors for numerous radio interviews across the country, and created the group’s first national visibility. In December, a performance video was shot of the single, that included Jason’s cousin, Chris Powell on drums. |
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If The Lord Wasn't By My Side was EC&R's first radio single (1995) • In the studio with Jake Hess, who was EC&R's special guest on the group's first full-length CD, Takin' Flight
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"Big" contract signing with MCG Records in Nashville (1996) • EC&R signing with Sonny Simmons' Century II talent agency (1998) • Lisa Bottoms overseeing the Century II booth at NQC in Louisville, KY, with Jason hanging 'round
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XXXXIn early 1996, moving on the success of the radio single, EC&R pushed to finish their project. The remainder of songs were recorded at Robb Tripp’s HIS studio on the grounds of Conway’s, Twitty City in Hendersonville, TN, the property having been aquired by Trinity Broadcasting. Robb, son of long-time gospel singer and song writer, Lavern Tripp, who is a gifted producer and musician in his own right, engineered the sessions. Over the next fifteen years, Robb, with his congenial personality, great musical skills, and wealth of studio experience, would continue to add his expertise in various ways to EC&R projects.
XXXXA tradition started with the creation of the group’s first full-length project that became a part of every major EC&R vocal and instrumental project, that being a song featuring a special guest. The group’s first guest was, as Hovie Lister of the Statesmen Quartet used to put it, “the often imitated, but never duplicated,” Jake Hess. When Elvis Presley was asked by reports early in his careerg who his favorite singer was, he answered without hesitation, “Jake Hess.” The answer would have been the same from countless gospel music fans across the country. Even though, as mentioned earlier, Jake attended church with Ernie, Jason, Eddie, and Froggy, and was a good friend, it was still an immense honor to the group for him to share his time and talent on their inaugural project. Jake was featured on a song written by Ernie entitled, He's My Friend. The group made sure footage was shot of the session, and the footage was later turned into a music video. |
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EC&R at the National Quartet Convention through the years at Louisville, KY • First year booth (1996) • Miss Jill, Ernie's "favorite" wife, manning the booth • Doing a showcase for MCG Records at NQC
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Ernie doing the booth thing (c. 2000) • Froggy showing off the "big" booth (2002) • Jason holding down the fort (2004)
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Ernie's nephew, Chris Powell, (far right) added as drummer • EC&R featured at the second annual Rocky Mountain Quartet Convention held in Denver, CO (1996)
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XXXXWith finished project in hand, EC&R approached a new label in Nashville that had just signed J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, that was looking to expand. A contract was signed and soon EC&R’s first CD, Taking Flight was available. The release of the group’s first CD was just one of severl firsts EC&R would experience that year, as they established themselves as a main-stay in gospel music. A first tour West was made as the group was booked to headline the second annual Rocky Mountain Quartet Convention in Denver, CO. Also EC&R had its first booth and gave its first showcase with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet for MCG Records at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. The same year, the group became members of NARAS, the Grammy organization. Jake Hess had always told the group members to learn the business side of music, to understand that there was more to the industry then just singing the song, so NURI Music Group was formed that eventually included publishing, recording, graphics and video work.
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First Canadian tour... looking like tourists in Toronto, eh? • Signing group pictures • On set of Phillip's Family television program to tape, Church Twice On Sunday
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Two of EC&R's long-time drummers • Eddie Russell • Terry "T-Ted" Pate
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Shooting footage in Texas for the Thought I Was Somebody video • Selecting shots in Maine for the Lighthouse video
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EC&R loves working great old theaters around the county • Pennsylvania • Texas • New York
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XXXXIn 1997, Terry Pate, another fellow church member with Ernie and Jason, and a former Nashville motorcycle cop, took Eddie Russell’s place on drums. Through the years, Terry would continue to be a great asset to the group. A bass player change was also made, and the group headed out of the States for the first time to sing in Canada. EC&R quickly learned to love Canadians for their wonderful hospitality, and for their appreciation of gospel music.
XXXXCarrying over into 1998, EC&R started focusing on expansion of the group’s market. It had become obvious the group was ideal for fairs, festival, corporate events, oprys and music barns. So, EC&R signed on with Liz Gregory Talent, a booking agency that focused on the fair market around the country. The group also signed with Sonny Simons’ well known Century II Talent agency that had represented some of the biggest acts in country, rock, and gospel music through the years. Also EC&R did its first New England tour that immediatly became one of the group’s favorite annual runs, and has expanded into two tours per year to the area. |
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Been there, done that... EC&R at all types of venues • Big Spring Festival, Huntsville, Alabama • Fair in Pennsylvania
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Conneticut street fair with Froggy Venable on drums and Jason Couch on bass guitar • Ocean Opry, Panama City Beach, Florida • Setting up at Lake Truman Opry in Missouri
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Jason (upper left) in keeping with the theme of the Watermelon Festival in Cave City, Arkansas • Sound check at Cowtown Days in Kansas • Tri-County Fair in Massachusetts
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Electric coop annual meeting in Missouri • Barrel Racing competition in Ohio • Blueberry Festival in Minnesota
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XXXXBy 1999, the group had gotten their maximum good out of the Taking Flight CD and it was time to return to the studio to create a new work. This project would prove to be somewhat a watershed in EC&R’s musical development, in that it marked a point where the group began to move away from some of its traditional influences, into the creation of the EC&R sound, a sound that would give identity to the group. It would be a very “hands on” project filled with experimentation, advanced technology, and new sounds, sounds that would become the hallmarks of EC&R music. The project was to be called, Going Higher, and featured the iconic, nine-time Grammy Award winner, James Blackwood.
XXXXSince the death of J.D. Sumner in 1998, MCG Records had somewhat fallen on difficult times, having lost the Stamps from it roster. In view of the circumstances with MCG Records, when it came time to release the “Going Higher’ project, the group decided to step-out on their own and release the new CD on their NURI label. NURI was already providing some services to other labels, and had become aquainted with an older label, SIMS Record, that was very active in the early 60’s, and had launched the recording career of the Happy Goodman Family. Singles from the Going Higher project were released through SIMS Record’s radio compilations. The single, Wait For Me, especially connected with the radio stations and listeners across the country, and became one of the group’s most requested songs. The song, written by Ernie, was later released in sheet music. |
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Early EC&R memorbilia • Mug with mug shot • Rare etched candy jar • EC&R vanity plate
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First series t-shirt • Fan posters (approx. 13.5" x 23.75") • Second series t-shirt
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Rarest of all, etched navy blue water glass • EC&R sheet music • Baseball caps in various colors • Calender (also '03 version)
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XXXXIn 2001, Jason began writing a monthly article for the trade publication, U.S. Gospel News, in which he shared observations and anecdotes of EC&R’s on-the-road experiences. During this same time frame, EC&R started making plans for its next CD project that would not come to furition for some three years. The next two years were filled with touring, recording singles, and in making a transition from Century II to the new Applause Central talent agency. The Ernie-penned single, This Pilgrim Way, featuring Jason, was released and became the group’s first song to chart in Europe. The song was also released as a popular music video. EC&R’s long-time tenor, Max Collum, left the group due to on-going health problems. Fill-ins were enlisted during the time of tenor transition. Even Jason’s wife, Lisa, kindly stepped up to the plate, and filled-in on several dates, giving her the distinction of being the only ever female member of EC&R.
XXXXThe beloved bass singer of the Cathedral Quartet, George Younce, had agreed to be the special guest on EC&R’s up-coming CD project. Due to the health issues George was dealing with at the time, a full court press was put on by EC&R to compose, arrange, and lay down bed tracks for his song. Unfortunatly, George became to physically debilitated to record his part. At that point EC&R turned to another “George” who graciously stepped-in to assist on the project, country legend, George Jones. It was now 2004, and for the project, George recorded one of Ernie’s compositions, And They Sang, the single of which, received air-play around the globe, and charted in Europe. Footage of the George’s recording session was shot and made into a music video. The bulk of the “finish-up” sessions for the CD project were done under Robb Tripps direction at the new, Family Room studio, Lavern Tripp had built in the Nashville burb of Gallitan, TN. |
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A real trouper, Lisa, Jason's "favorite" wife, filling-in on tenor • Lisa as an official member of EC&R • Greg Cook of Ricochet filled-in on bass guitar with EC&R • Jason with recording pioneer, label head and producer, Russell Sims
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Setting-up stuff • Ad series for trade publications, with Ernie line drawings (2003) • Waiting for sound check
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XXXXDuring the same year, Jake Hess died, and the group re-released, He's My Friend, that becomes their biggest single, to that point in time. Bill Gaither contacts the group, and indicates that he wants EC&R to be a part of one of his up-coming videos, and the group’s first DVD, entitled, “First Decade,” that features a collection of music videos created over the past ten plus years, is released.
Finally, the new EC&R CD, Ridin’ Fast, released in early 2005, and the group found itself being boycotted by some, for having George Jones as a guest on the project. EC&R had learned through the years that it was difficult to be all things, to all people, even in sharing the Gospel. Undeterred, the group pushed on at the task of doing what it had been called to do. Soon, new opportunities presented themselves, and EC&R found itself on its first West Coast tour. The West Coast run became an annual event for the group and at times it has expanded into two such tours a year. As a footnote, at this writing, EC&R has preformed in all of the contiguous states with the exception of Rhode Island. Also, in 2005, long-time bass singer, Froggy Venable, left EC&R, and the music industry, to pursue other vocations. The group returned to a trio format for a time. |
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Things to do on the road between concerts • Dig for diamonds in Arkansas • Ride on rides in Florida that your momma warned you not to ride • Check out dinasour tracks in Texas
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Look at old stuff in Conneticut • Climb on rocks in Kansas • Visit unusual places like, Grovers Mill, New Jersey, made famous by Orson Wells' 1938 radio broadcast of, The War of the Worlds.
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XXXX2006 brought a whirlwind of activity for the group, filled with new opportunies and new venues. It was also an important year for EC&R stylistically. There was a deliberate movement to have more of the group members double on insturments, a coalescence into a “band,” a concept that would proved very popular with EC&R fans around the country. During the year there were tweakings of fill-in personnel, and Matt Chaffin, a talented young man from New Mexico took the bass position. Matt possessed a smooth rich singing voice reminiscent of Tennessee Ernie Ford, and was a gifted keyboardist who brought a new dimension to EC&R. Work began on the group’s first instrumental project with the amazing saxophonist, and special guest, Boots Randolph, of “Yakety Sax” fame. Boots’ cuts were laid down, at Tim Smith’s Groovehouse Recording Studio. Tim, a great musician, producer, and veteran of the road who had worked extensively with the Joe English Band, personally engineered the Boots’ sessions. The end result was musical magic.
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Dining on the road • In Maine you have to try the "lahhhb-sta" (that's with a short "a" on the end) • Do you have the moxie to wash down your pizza with a Moxie? • Buffalo wings at their point of origin in Buffalo, NY
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A grape pie feeding frenzy in the Finger Lakes region of NY • Philly hoagies in Philly • A warning to watch caloric intake
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Breakfast in New England • Cookin' dogs (hot dogs, not prairie dogs) in west Texas • Next time lets ask for extra cheese
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XXXXThe new instrumental project, Elevator Music, is released in 2007, to great reviews. Joe Cox came onboard as tenor and bass guitarist. Joe was a transplant from the Tampa Bay area of Florida, who had initially relocated to Nashville to work with a new start-up group, before joining EC&R.
During 2007, the group formed an association with the folks at First Baptist Church in Odessa, TX, and with their long-running, annual dude ranch retreat, an association that would continue for a number of years. The year brought other groups beginning to record original EC&R songs, but the highlight of the year came in the form a very special guest for the group’s next recording project. For some years fans had been requesting that EC&R create an all hymns project. In eventual response to the on-going requests, the group started selecting songs and writing arrangements for this speciality project. Due to the vast number of hymns that had been composed over the past two thousand years, it was determined that for this particular project only classic hymns of the 1800’s would be chosen. This decision helped reduce the number of songs to select from, but still it was a daunting task to choose a handfull of compositions from thousands. With the firming-up of the final song list came the challenge of determing who might be best as a special guest, someone who would exemplify these great, inspiring traditional hymns of the church. One name came up time-and-time again, and soon EC&R found itself recording in the living room of Billy Graham’s long-time associate, Mr. George Beverly Shea. What a godly, unpertinacious man, a man who has unselfishly invested his life in the Kingdom. It was a time of blessing, encouragement, and honor for EC&R to be able to work with Bev Shea. |
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On the road you've got to learn how to improvise • Improvised recording studio in a motel room • Improvised changing room in a janitor closet • Improvised rain hat in a downpour • Improvised stage to make sure they can see you
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A little choreography in Nevada? (2007) • EC&R shares its music coast-to-coast in churches of all shapes, sizes, and varities
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Playing at Tri-Lakes Center, Branson, MO • Lakewood Resort, Myrtal Beach, SC • Setting up for a TV taping
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XXXXThe Pioneer Hymns project released in early 2008, and became an instant hit for EC&R. The group signs a contract for the new project to be distributed world-wide, becoming the first EC&R project to have such global visibility. During the year, the group played Branson, and Myrtle Beach resort/theaters for the first time. However, EC&R considers their greatest accomplishment of the year to be their mission project where in they sent 10,000 compilation CDs of their greatest hits, to the U.S. troups serving in Iraq. The project is named for Jason’s composition, and moving rendition, A Letter From Home.
XXXXIn 2009, yet another major EC&R project is released, Hanging On. The CD features, as guests, members of the great Christian rock group, Petra. The project quickly becomes the group’s most popular regular vocal CD. Three singles are released to radio, with each release passing the previous in the charts. A second instrumental project is created, with Kenny Lovelace as guest. Kenny had served as Jerry Lee Lewis’ lead guitarist and music arranger for over forty years. The instrumental project is given the unique name of, Watermelon Rinds. EC&R moved once again into a trio mode, and released a third project for the year, the group’s first Christmas CD. Ever true to its eclectic approach to guest on its projects, EC&R enlisted the vocal talents of original Supremes’ member, Mary Wilson, to be a part of the holiday Christmas Time CD. Also during the holiday season of 2009, EC&R began performing its now annual Christmas tour. In 2010, Joe took a sabbatical from the group returning about a year later when Matt was forced to leave the road due to chronic health problems. |
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Joe and Matt... cats in hats (very Dr Seuss) • Makin' music (2009)
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Christmas tour (2010) • "In a place called Evening Shade" (Evening Shade, AR, 2011)
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XXXXEarly in 2011, the new CD, Today’s Special, was released with a guest who’s melodic voice has garnered her countless fans through the years, Patti Page. Also in the fall of the year, EC&R published its first cookbook, filled with great recipes collected from the group’s many travels, and including a new instrumental CD with guest keyboardist, and long-time member of the Lawrence Welk organization, Bob Ralston.
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Twentieth anniversary concert in Nashville (March, 2013) • Special logo for EC&R's twentieth anniversary
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XXXXMarch, 2013 marked EC&R's twentieth anniversary and was celebrated with a special concert at the same venue in Nashville where the musical journey first started two decades before. All of 2013 was designated as Ernie Couch & Revival's "Twenty Tour." Work commenced on a "Twenty Tour" CD concepted and produced by Jason to commerate this special milestone in the group's history. Creation of the project stretch into a year-and-a-half of production work featuring over twenty special guest . The guest list included such pop and rock artists as Lou Christie, Danny & the Juniors, Tommy Roe, Carl Ciammarese of the Birminghams, The Angels, Ron Rosman of the Shondells, Gary S. Paxton, gospel artists, Bill Baize, Ed Enoch, Willie Wynn, Tommy Fairchild, Ann Downing, The Couriers, Donnie Sumner, and country artists, Jeannie Seely and Lacy J. Dalton. Later in the year the group moved to a duo configuration when Joe Cox left the road to spend more time with his wife who was dealing with some health problems. In November Ernie and Jason released their "Hail, Hail Immanuel" Christmas cantata, that was the culmination of four years of writing and recording. The project featured all original music penned by Ernie and Scripture readings by the talented actor, James Earl Jones.
XXXX2014 proved a busy year for Ernie and Jason. The father/son duo format was a big success with EC&R fans around the country. In November the long awaited "Twenty Tour" CD was finally released, along with two compilation CDs of Plainsmen recordings created by Jason. The two CDs, one gospel tunes and the other country songs, gives a great historical overview of the group's music from the 1950s through the Ernie and Jason years. 2015 has been a whirlwind of touring. Currently work is proceeding on Ernie and Jason's new "Takes Two" project scheduled for release in early 2016. XXXXThe music, and the message of the music, continues on! T |
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Keep-up with, Ernie and Jason on the Ernie Couch & Revival Facebook page
E-mail: revival@erniecouchandrevival.com |
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© Copyright 2015 by Ernie Couch & Jason Couch, Nashville, TN
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