The Kelley Family - While Eternal Ages Roll, 1976, Bluegrass Gospel

The Kelley Family consists of Nathan, Simon, Christine, and Karlyn. The Kelley Family may be new to you; however, they are still known by country enthusiasts. When Christine Kelley was 16 years of age, she and her husband, Nathan J. Kelley, and his three teenage brothers started playing music and singing to entertain others over the Hazard, Kentucky, radio broadcast station. Their unique bluegrass, country-style music caught on fast. Soon they were performing over three radio broadcast stations at Knoxville, Tennessee. During this time they made live appearances on stages with well-known artists of the Grand Ole Opry, such as Chet Atkins, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Cotton Galyon, Archie Campbell, the Carter Family, and many others. They entertained in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Grand Ole Opry until 1950. Christine became homesick for Kentucky. On their way home they stopped over in Lexington, Kentucky. They started a new program entertaining over WLEX, WLAP, and WVLK radio broadcast stations. This lasted for five years. Nathan and his brother Simon acquired top jobs working for the U.S. Government, and this took the Kelley Family into a long retirement. Since resuming country entertainment, the Kelley Family have appeared on TV and radio programs. This group is recognized as one of the first to promote the bluegrass style of music. The Library of Congress of the United States selected this group of honorable singers to record an album entitled “The Early Days of Bluegrass.” This was recorded and produced by them. Allen Vanderpool, A&R for Sun-Ray Records, and myself, Jimmy Price, did enjoy this Christian group of singers. I sincerely want to give a lot of praise to the musicians: Banjo — Charley Hall Dobro — Billy Joe Bass — Donnie Reed Mandolin — Nathan Kelley Guitar — Simon Kelley I am sure you too will enjoy the Kelley Family as the sacred songs of this record are being played. The number six song of side two brings this statement our Lord Jesus Christ made to my mind: Mark 9 :37–40 “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” My prayer is that each and every one of you will receive a spiritual blessing from this sacred album of great compositions. I also wish to thank Christine Kelley and James E. Lanham for their beautiful publications of great songs. Christine’s daughter, Karlyn Kelley, and Charley Hall’s wife, Joyce Hall, have joined the Kelley Family in their work for the Lord. Christine’s Testimony I, Christine Kelley, wish to give this testimony. In July 1973, I became very ill and the doctors didn’t think I had much of a chance to live. I had also given up hope. Then one night I heard someone whisper in my hospital room, “God has the power.” This someone must have been our Saviour Jesus Christ, as there was no one in the room at that time. I felt the presence of Jesus in my room with me in person. Jesus taught me to pray that night. My life was changed. Although I was raised by Christian parents and took an active part in a Baptist church, I found Jesus to be my answer, and I began to improve. When the doctors made their next visit, they were astonished over my sudden improvement. I knew God had a new way for me to live, for He gave me my first gospel song entitled “Jesus Taught Me to Pray.” Since my release from the hospital I have written other sacred compositions with my Saviour’s help. We are now singing the praises of our Lord over WEKY Radio, Richmond, Kentucky, and we have had some programs over the local TV stations. Can You Name This Hymn? If you can, you can learn to play the lead guitar. In short, all numbers above the line represent the guitar strings, and all numbers below the line represent the guitar frets. This numbered staff and method are under full copyright since 1961. This guitar, banjo, and dobro are all of the same method. ------ 1 - The Kelley Family - While Eternal Ages Roll - 0:00 2 - The Kelley Family - We Will Cross Over - 2:38 3 - The Kelley Family - I'm Going To Kneel Down To My King - 5:06 4 - The Kelley Family - The River Of Crystal - 7:22 5 - The Kelley Family - I'm Not Ashamed To Own My Lord - 9:41 6 - The Kelley Family - Preacher Man - 12:07 7 - The Kelley Family - Flowers For Mother - 13:59 8 - The Kelley Family - Jesus Taught Me To Pray - 16:04 9 - The Kelley Family - John Oh! John - 17:56 10 - The Kelley Family - Old Time Religion - 19:54 11 - Amazing Grace - 21:49 12 - You Go To Your Church, I'll Go To Mine - 23:41 13 - The Crucifixion Of Christ / The Old Rugged Cross - 25:09