Green Pastures Gospel Music: The Shepherds

The Shepherds is a group that has been in Southern Gospel circles since the mid 1980s or so. At the heart of this group is Debra Shepherd who has written some great songs through the years including the Shepherd signature song, “There’s a Miracle in the Making”. While the group has put out some good recordings in the past, I think “Reality” ranks as their finest effort to date.

True to form, “ON MY WAY TO A MIRACLE” starts the recording off in true Pentecostal Campmeeting fervor before things slow down for the emotionally tinged, “ON MY KNEES”, which features a stellar performance by Debra Shepherd.

The medium tempo, country tinged “MOVE, OH MOUNTAIN” (reminiscent of something Sheri Easter would sing) features another excellent performance by Debra before her and Quint’s twin daughters, Haley and Hope sing the upbeat, “HE’S A WAY OUT” as well as another tune entitled, “PSALM 27:1”, which has a Praise & Worship feel to it.

The power ballad, “A BLACK HEART” is a highlight of the recording and features performances by Debra and Sheri Haynes before moving on to the Southern Funk/soulful feel of “LET YOUR PRAISE FIGHT YOUR BATTLE”.

Wallace Smith is featured on the country sounding, “GOD NEVER FAILS”, before Debra takes the lead once again with the uptempo, “GOD IS WORKING ALL THINGS FOR MY GOOD”.

Sheri is featured on the prayerful, “I AM HERE” before she and Wallace close things out with the highly favored, “I HAVE DECIDED”.

This is a great recording and the Shepherds have never sounded better, nor has Debra written better songs than what she is writing today. While some songs are a bit more progressive, they are in no way compromising this group’s sound and style. If you’ve not heard the Shepherds in awhile, and have not been impressed with them in the past, it’s time to re-introduce yourself to their music and be impressed!

The name The Shepherds has become synonymous with Gospel Music. In the early 90’s a group was formed out of Sandersville, GA and has turned into mainstay of Gospel Music…

Their true family harmony and added youthfulness creates a unique vocal blend, with a progressive sound that is re-defining gospel music for future generations. Although their roots are primarily Southern Gospel, The Shepherds latest recording, “Reality” features a variety of styles and genres in Christian Music that seem to be connecting with a diverse group of audiences.

The Shepherds perform mostly original material written by group member Debra Shepherd. Debra has not only become a respected writer for The Shepherds, but has also had many songs to be released nationwide and into other countries such as: Ireland, Honduras, Africa, and Russia. Many mainstream artists have also recorded her songs, groups such as: The Freemans, The McKameys, The Hoppers, The Hoskins Family, and The Inspirations to name a few…

Some of the songs made popular by The Shepherds that have reached national chart status
consist of, “ A Friend of God,” “Oh Yes He Is,” “It’ll Be Hard Not Cry,” “There’s Still Time For A Miracle,” “God Will Never Run Out Of Blessings,” and their signature song “There’s
A Miracle In The Making”.

Continuing the momentum, The Shepherds current recording with Dove Music “Reality”, has been turning industry heads since it hit the shelves. The first two radio releases “A Black Heart” and “On My Way To A Miracle” went into the Singing News Top 30. The Shepherds current radio release “On My Knees” has just moved up in the charts to #10 and is gaining a great response from fans across the country, all indications show it to be one of their biggest hits yet...

With appearances on such prestigious stages as Wild Adventures theme park, SGM Fan
Fair, National Quartet Convention, one of the top 5 Fireworks shows in the Nation located in Knoxville, TN…to churches, auditoriums, theaters, with many television appearances including T.B.N - Praise The Lord, Daystar Television Network, plus many other media networks, The Shepherds has firmly established their place in Gospel Music..

The Shepherds Award accomplishments include nominations for the SGM FanFair/Us Gospel Mixed Group of the Year 2005 Award, with ceremonies held in Chattanooga, TN. Group member Debra Shepherd was very honored to receive the Georgia Songwriters Award.

The Shepherds are a family affair with group members: Quint & Debra Shepherd, son Jonathan, and their twin girls Haley and Hope along with Wallace Smith and Sheri Haynes. It is all of the group members desire to reach the lost and to give the audience something they can take with them to face life’s challenges.

Despite the success and doors that are continually opening, The Shepherds are a family that remains devoted to the calling and purpose on which their ministry was founded!