Jordan's
Bridge
INFO
Jordan’s Bridge is a fairly new group; however, there are some familiar faces in the line-up. You remember your favorite old time singing you wished you could have seen in person or relived just one more time ? If you said yes, Jordan's Bridge is your ticket in 2017 and beyond! Like the old style of gospel singing at concerts you have on LP, Cassette, 8 Track or CD, You will want to see them LIVE! Capture this style once again and add their new CD Project to your A-list collection.
Tenor - Phil Barker
Phil Barker is best known for his old time tenor singing with such great groups as Singing Americans, Dixie Melody Boys, and the Harvesters Quartet. How many of ya'll like old time tenor singing? Phil captures that old time spectacular tenor sound and thrills audiences with his amazing TENOR TALENT!
Bass - Burman Porter
We are delighted to welcome Burman Porter singing bass! How many of you know Burman from his time with The Dove Brothers Quartet? Burman has also sang with groups you may recall; including The Palmetto State Quartet and The Blackwood Gospel Quartet. Burman is loved for his smooth bass tones and his ability to communicate the message of a song. Few bass singers are as versatile in their range and abilities. Besides being one of Gospel Music's favorite bass singers he is a storied personality. EVERYONE has a Burman Porter story!
Baritone - Rick Sheets
Baritone singer Rick Sheets has done a lot of promotion of Gospel Music and owns/operates a full-time recording studio (Rising Star Studios). In addition to his individual awards, Rick is a founding member of the Gospel Christian Music Association (GCMA). The GCMA has a simple, yet profound mission....
Sing unto the Lord, bless his name;
show forth his salvation from day to day - Psalm 96:2
Lead - Dale Shipley
Jordan’s Bridge is excited to announce Dale Shipley as their new lead singer. Fans will remember Shipley as a founding member of the “Million Dollar Quartet,” known as Perfect Heart, and as the lead on their first #1 song, “Somebody Touched the Lord.” Shipley is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and spent several years as the lead for Bob Wills and the Inspirationals. Recently, he sang lead with the now-retired Freedom Quartet.
Exciting things are beginning to happen to this group of men faithful to the call of God. They have recently worked out a deal with Creation Music Group and will be signing this month. The tracks are cut on a new album and the vocals will soon be recorded.
Jordan’s Bridge is working hard on their new material and the group is looking forward to a busy schedule in 2018. To keep their ministry strong both individually and as a group, the men say that prayer is vitally important. Rick Sheets says, “We try to always pray together before each concert and we keep in touch with each other almost every day so we can encourage each other in God’s way.” Sheets says that on a personal level he tries to remain diligent about fasting, praying and reading the Word.
RECORDING PROJECTS: Jordan's Bridge's debut, self-titled CD, contains many well-loved Gospel Tunes.
'All Who Call' is a project comprised of mostly familiar songs but is a good project to introduce you to this great group. To get this project kicked off is a peppy, upbeat song “I’ll Be Ready To Go With Him.” This song has that old quartet style sound that was popular back in the 60s, and Jordan’s Bridge does a great job on it. The title cut “All Who Call” is a great song written by Rodney Griffin, and they do a good job on this one. Be listening for this one on your radio as it has been sent out as their single.
“How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” is a classic song and one of my all time favorites. Many groups have recorded this one many times over the years. Other familiar songs include “Just Over In The Glory Land,” “He’ll Hold My Hand,” “Sweet Beulah Land” (written and recorded by Squire Parsons), and “Far Above The Starry Sky.”
Other songs on this project that may not be as familiar are “He’s My Comfort,” “Great Day,” and “The Writer.” All of these are great songs and done well by Jordan’s Bridge.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE THROUGH SERVICE
Jordan’s Bridge members are committed to their calling and their desire is to continue to sing Gospel music regardless of what others are doing or what the sacrifices may be. They would even like to see their ministry expand. Barker says, “I would like to be able to quit my job and travel full-time again. I would like to sing anywhere we are wanted.” His future bucket list is even more expansive: “I would like to have something nice for us to travel in and to sing at the National Quartet Convention.”
Sheets personal bucket list is similar to Barker’s. “I’d love to be able to sing to large crowds and see the lost come to know Christ. My fantasy venues would include the National Quartet Convention Main Stage and also to sing with the Gaither Homecoming.”
Everyone agrees with Sheets about the need for prayer and encouragement. “Obviously there are times we pray together prior to services or concerts, but we also love each other enough to share things that are going on in our personal lives. I don’t believe any of the guys have a problem coming to another member and saying, “I have this going on…”, or “would you pray about …” because we have all done it at one time or other.” Barker remarks, “I try to pray for each member of Jordan’s Bridge every day and when we are together I try to tell each member that I love them.” As well, Barker adds that daily prayer and scripture reading is important.
Jordan’s Bridge members do indeed have a ‘passion to serve’ as do their families, who are involved with this musical ministry. Rick Sheets says his family is very supportive of his involvement with the group and his wife keeps his home in operation while he is on the road. “My wife goes with us as much as possible, but she is always available to do anything we need her to do. My children even help us by advertising on social media!”
Another family man, Phil Barker says that his family is very important to him and they are very involved in Jordan’s Bridge ministry. “When you have family behind you, it makes traveling easier because you know they are supporting you with prayer and love.
The men of Jordan’s Bridge definitely see the group as their way to reach hearts that need to find Jesus. Barker says, “I sing Christian music because I believe it is the only music on earth that can change a life and make a person see their need for Christ.” Sheets adds, “I sing Gospel Music to allow God to use me in whatever way He sees fit, to be a blessing to His children and to see the lost become saved. And as Phil always says, ‘To tell you that Jesus loves you and wants to live in your heart.’”
Jordan’s Bridge at Grand Old Gospel Reunion 2013
