The Isaacs

Bluegrass Southern gospel group

This article is about the bluegrass band. For other uses, see Isaacs (disambiguation).

The Isaacs

Origin| Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres| Southern gospel, Bluegrass, Country
Years active| 1987–present
Labels| Horizon, Gaither, K-Tel, Spring Hill, Isaacs House
Members| Lily Isaacs
Ben Isaacs
Sonya Isaacs
Becky Isaacs
Past members| John Bowman
Jimmy Yeary
Levi Bowman
Joe Isaacs
Thomas Wywrot
Tim Surrett
Website| www.theisaacs.com

The Isaacs are a bluegrass Southern gospel music group consisting of mother Lily Isaacs (b. September 20, 1947), daughters Becky (b. Aug. 2, 1975) and Sonya Isaacs (b. July 22, 1974) and son Ben Isaacs (b. July 25, 1972), along with John Bowman (husband of Becky Isaacs) as an instrumentalist and songwriter. Joe Isaacs, formerly a singer and banjo player in the group, has left since his 1998 divorce from Lily Isaacs. He now does solo work on a far more localized level.

Former Kingsmen Quartet bass player, lead singer and baritone Tim Surrett was a member of group from 1997 until 2002. Surrett was married to Sonya Isaacs during this time period. Thomas Wywrot was a member from 2008 to 2011. Sonya Isaacs' husband, Jimmy Yeary, took his place.[1]

Currently, the Isaacs consists of Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Lily Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman and Ben Isaacs. On August 10, 2021, they were invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry.[2]

## History

[edit]

The group's roots go back to 1971,[3] when Joe and Lily Isaacs began a bluegrass band. Lily's parents are Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors. A few years after they were liberated from a concentration camp in Germany in 1945, her parents moved two year old Lily to New York City, where, in 1958, she got a recording contract with Columbia Records and started performing in night clubs. While performing with his Kentucky band at the Gerde's Folk City, Joe met Lily and they were married in 1970. After Joe's brother died in an automobile accident, Joe and Lily became Christians, and the group began to perform only bluegrass gospel music.[4] The group was initially named the Calvary Mountain Boys and later became Sacred Bluegrass before settling on the family name, the Isaacs. The group performed primarily on weekends, part-time, until 1986.[5] As their son and daughters became old enough, they joined the group.[6]

In 1992, the Isaacs moved from Morrow, Ohio, and settled in LaFollette, Tennessee.[6]

## Recording

[edit]

As the Calvary Mountain Boys and Sacred Bluegrass, the group recorded for Pine Tree and Old Homestead labels. As the Isaacs, they had more success with Morning Star Records and Horizon record labels.[6]

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

Year  | Album  | Peak chart positions  | Producer  | Label

|
|
|
|

Christian | Country | Heat | Bluegrass
1988  | Heartbeat |  |  |  |  |  | Harvest
At Nightline |  |  |  |  |
1989  | Family Chain |  |  |  |  |
1990  | A Labor of Love |  |  |  |  |  | Morning Star
Live at Hominy Valley |  |  |  |  |
1991  | 20th Anniversary |  |  |  |  |
1992  | Live In Atlanta |  |  |  |  |
1993  | Songs to Remember |  |  |  |  |
Our Style |  |  |  |  |
1994  | Carry Me |  |  |  |  | Tony Rice  | Horizon
1995  | I Feel the Christmas Spirit |  |  |  |  |
1996  | Live: Mountain Praise |  |  |  |  | Kim Ryan
1997  | Bridges |  |  |  |  | Ben Isaacs
The Very Best of The Isaacs |  |  |  |  |  | K-Tel
1998  | Increase My Faith |  |  |  |  |  | Horizon
1999  | Pieces of Our Past |  |  |  |  | Ben Isaacs
2001  | Stand Still |  |  |  |  | Ben Isaacs
2002  | Christmas Spirit |  |  |  |  | Ben Isaacs, Tony Rice
Eye of the Storm |  |  |  |  | Ben Isaacs
2003  | Songs of the Faith |  |  |  | 14  | Ben Isaacs
2004  | Heroes | 19  | 45  | 31  |  | Don Cook  | Gaither
2005  | Bluegrass Preserved |  |  |  |  |  | Horizon
Radio Hits |  |  |  |  |
Lily |  |  |  |  |
Isaacs Bluegrass: A Cappella |  |  |  |  |
2006  | Isaacs Bluegrass: Sonya |  |  |  |  |
2007  | Big Sky | 21  | 48  | 23  |  | Mark Bright  | Gaither
2009  | Naturally: An Almost A Cappella Collection | 25  |  | 12  | 1  | Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs  | Spring Hill
2010  | Christmas | 31  |  | 5  | 2  |
2011  | Why Can't We | 47  |  | 25  | 3  |
2013  | The Living Years | 10  |  |  | 1  |  | Gaither
2016  | Nature's Symphony in 432 | 3  |  |  |  |  | Isaacs House
2018  | Favorites: Revisited By Request |  |  |  |  |  | Gaither
2020  | Songs for the Times |  |  |  |  |  | Isaacs House
2021  | The American Face |  |  |  |  |

### Video

[edit]

* 2001: Live: Mountain Praise (Horizon)
* 2001: Pieces of Our Past (Horizon)
* 2002: Stand Still (Horizon)
* 2004: The Best of the Isaacs: Favorites from the Homecoming Series (Gaither Music Group)
* 2008: Live From Norway (Gaither Music Group)

#### Gaither Homecoming video performances

[edit]

* 1996: When All God's Singers Get Home "Carry Me"
* 1996: Sing Your Blues Away "I Have A Father Who Can"
* 1997: This is My Story "Look What God Gave Me"
* 1998: Singin' With The Saints "I'm Gonna Move
* 1998: All Day Singin' At The Dome "Satisfied" (Sonya)
* 1998: Atlanta Homecoming "Daddy Sang Bass" (Sonya),"That's All That Matters To Me"
* 1998: Down By The Tabernacle "The Tabernacle" (Sonya), "The Least I Can Do"
* 1999: Sweet Sweet Spirit "Reaping In The Spirit"
* 1999: Mountain Homecoming "Did You Ever Go Sailin'", "Go Rest High On That Mountain" (Sonya)
* 1999: I'll Meet You On The Mountain "I'll Meet You On The Mountain" (Sonya)
* 2001: Passin' The Faith Along "I Wanna Be Ready" (Sonya & Becky), "Stand Still"
* 2002: Let Freedom Ring "The Star-Spangled Banner", "It Is Well (Elisha's Song)"
* 2002: New Orleans Homecoming "He Understands My Tears"
* 2003: Going Home "The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming"
* 2003: Heaven "O Come Angel Band"
* 2003: Red Rocks Homecoming "When The Rains Come" (Sonya)
* 2003: Rocky Mountain Homecoming "Sweet Holy Spirit"
* 2003: Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. 1 "Is Not This The Land Of Beulah?"
* 2003: Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. 2 "Another Soldier Down", "He Ain't Ever Done Me Nothin' But Good"
* 2004: We Will Stand "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" (Sonya & Becky), "Hebrew Lullaby", "If That Don't Make You Wanna Go"
* 2005: Hymns "Wayfaring Stranger"
* 2005: Israel Homecoming "Halleluyah", "Shalom My Home"
* 2005: Jerusalem Homecoming "Moses, Take Your Shoes Off" (Sonya), "Walkin' In Jerusalem", "Heroes"
* 2005: Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood "Ha Ha Hollywood", "Friend 'Til The End", "Peace Like A River"
* 2006: Canadian Homecoming "It Is Well With My Soul", "More Than Ever"
* 2006: Live From Toronto "Great Is Thy Reward/Orange Blossom Special"
* 2006: Christmas In South Africa "The Savior Of The World Has Come"
* 2007: Amazing Grace "I Need Thee Every Hour", "I Surrender All"
* 2007: Love Can Turn The World "Everything Is Going To Turn Out Right", "Hear My Song, Lord" (Sonya)
* 2007: South African Homecoming "Umbrella"
* 2008: Country Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. 1 "There Is Power In The Blood", "Walk On", "I Know Somebody Who Does", "All Prayed Up"
* 2008: Country Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. 2 "Barbie Bandaids"
* 2008: Homecoming Picnic "Sally Goodin/Wildwood Flower", "The Sweetest Song I Know" (Becky), "Mama's Teaching Angels How To Sing"
* 2009: A Campfire Homecoming "I Have Found A Way", "Orange Blossom Special"
* 2009: Nashville Homecoming "The One I'm Dying For"
* 2010: Better Day "Mama's Teaching Angels How To Sing"
* 2010: Count Your Blessings "No Shortage"
* 2011: Alaskan Homecoming "I've Got Joy"
* 2011: Majesty "Little Bit Of Heaven", "When I Lift Up My Head", "Healing Stream"
* 2011: Tent Revival Homecoming "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary"
* 2011: The Old Rugged Cross "Consider The Lilies" (Becky & Sonya)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

### Grammy Awards

[edit]

The Grammy Awards are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry. The awards were established in 1958. The Isaacs have been nominated three times.

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2016 | Nature's Symphony In 432 | Best Roots Gospel Album | Nominated
2018 | Favorites: Revisited By Request | Nominated
2022 | Songs for the Times | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Jimmy Yeary Joins The Isaacs | The Southern Gospel Music Magazine". SingingNews.com. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
2. ^ "Grand Ole Opry invites the Isaacs to become newest member".
3. ^ Etienne, Vanessa. "The Isaacs Premiere 'The American Face' Music Video: 'United We Stand'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
4. ^ BARCLAY, BRITTANY. "The Isaacs to bring bluegrass gospel to The Pines". The Lufkin Daily News. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
5. ^ Gilmore, Justin (February 25, 2017). "The Year Of Jubilee: A Conversation with Lily Isaacs of the Isaacs". Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
6. ^ a b c McNeil, W. K. (2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 196\. ISBN 9781135377007. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website of the Isaacs
* Interview with Lily Isaacs
* The Fishman Isaacs Israel Initiative

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Grand Ole Opry

Current members|

* Trace Adkins
* Lauren Alaina
* Bill Anderson
* Kelsea Ballerini
* Bobby Bare
* Mandy Barnett
* Dierks Bentley
* Clint Black
* Garth Brooks
* T. Graham Brown
* Steven Curtis Chapman
* Henry Cho
* Terri Clark
* Luke Combs
* John Conlee
* Dailey & Vincent
* Diamond Rio
* Sara Evans
* Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers
* Crystal Gayle
* Vince Gill
* Emmylou Harris
* The Isaacs
* Alan Jackson
* Chris Janson
* Jamey Johnson
* Alison Krauss
* Lady A
* Little Big Town
* Patty Loveless
* Dustin Lynch
* Barbara Mandrell
* Martina McBride
* Ashley McBryde
* Del McCoury
* Charlie McCoy
* Scotty McCreery
* Reba McEntire
* Ronnie Milsap
* Eddie Montgomery
* Craig Morgan
* Lorrie Morgan
* Gary Mule Deer
* The Oak Ridge Boys
* Old Crow Medicine Show
* Brad Paisley
* Jon Pardi
* Dolly Parton
* Carly Pearce
* Stu Phillips
* Jeanne Pruett
* Rascal Flatts
* Riders in the Sky
* Darius Rucker
* Don Schlitz
* Blake Shelton
* Ricky Van Shelton
* Ricky Skaggs
* Connie Smith
* Mike Snider
* Marty Stuart
* Pam Tillis
* Randy Travis
* Travis Tritt
* Josh Turner
* Carrie Underwood
* Keith Urban
* Rhonda Vincent
* Steve Wariner
* Gene Watson
* The Whites
* Mark Wills
* Lainey Wilson
* Trisha Yearwood
* Chris Young

Former members|

* Roy Acuff
* David "Stringbean" Akeman
* Jack Anglin
* Eddy Arnold
* Ernest Ashworth
* Chet Atkins
* DeFord Bailey
* Bashful Brother Oswald
* Humphrey Bate
* Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers
* Margie Bowes
* Rod Brasfield
* Jim Ed Brown
* The Browns
* Carl Butler and Pearl
* Archie Campbell
* Bill Carlisle
* Martha Carson
* The Carter Sisters
* Maybelle Carter
* Johnny Cash
* June Carter Cash
* Roy Clark
* Zeke Clements
* Patsy Cline
* Jerry Clower
* Stoney Cooper
* Wilma Lee Cooper
* Cowboy Copas
* Charlie Daniels
* Skeeter Davis
* The Delmore Brothers
* The DeZurik Sisters
* Little Jimmy Dickens
* Joe Diffie
* Danny Dill
* Jimmy Driftwood
* Roy Drusky
* The Duke of Paducah
* Holly Dunn
* The Everly Brothers
* Lester Flatt
* Red Foley
* Curly Fox
* Lefty Frizzell
* Troy Gentry
* Don Gibson
* Billy Grammer
* Jack Greene
* The Gully Jumpers
* Theron Hale
* Tom T. Hall
* George Hamilton IV
* Sid Harkreader
* Hawkshaw Hawkins
* George D. Hay
* Hoot Hester
* Goldie Hill
* David Houston
* Jan Howard
* Ferlin Husky
* Stonewall Jackson
* Sonny James
* Norma Jean
* Jim & Jesse
* Johnnie & Jack
* George Jones
* Grandpa Jones
* The Jordanaires
* Doug Kershaw
* Hal Ketchum
* Bradley Kincaid
* Pee Wee King
* Hank Locklin
* Lonzo and Oscar
* Bobby Lord
* The Louvin Brothers
* Charlie Louvin
* Ira Louvin
* Bob Luman
* Loretta Lynn
* Uncle Dave Macon
* Rose Maddox
* Mel McDaniel
* Jesse McReynolds
* McGee Brothers
* Bill Monroe
* George Morgan
* Moon Mullican
* Willie Nelson
* Jimmy C. Newman
* Bobby Osborne
* Sonny Osborne
* Johnny Paycheck
* Minnie Pearl
* Webb Pierce
* Ray Pillow
* Ray Price
* Charley Pride
* Del Reeves
* Jim Reeves
* Leon Rhodes
* Tex Ritter
* Marty Robbins
* Johnny Russell
* Rusty and Doug
* Earl Scruggs
* Jeannie Seely
* Jean Shepard
* Mississippi Slim
* Carl Smith
* Fiddlin' Arthur Smith
* Hank Snow
* Red Sovine
* Ralph Stanley
* Texas Ruby
* B. J. Thomas
* Uncle Jimmy Thompson
* Mel Tillis
* Tompall & the Glaser Brothers
* Ernest Tubb
* Justin Tubb
* Leroy Van Dyke
* Porter Wagoner
* Billy Walker
* Charlie Walker
* Kitty Wells
* Dottie West
* Keith Whitley†
* Slim Whitman
* The Wilburn Brothers
* Don Williams
* Hank Williams
* Boxcar Willie
* The Willis Brothers
* Chubby Wise
* Del Wood
* Marion Worth
* Johnnie Wright
* Tammy Wynette
* Faron Young

†Honorary former member; was scheduled to be invited, but died before the invitation was extended

Pending members|

* Steve Earle
* Kathy Mattea

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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