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Dennis Isaacs
Dennis Isaacs adds his strong lead and rhythm guitar playing on his Gallagher, Larrivee D-09 or Larrrivee D-03 to Southern Accent to continue to define their well-loved, recognizable sound. Doc Watson, as is apparent in Isaacs' playing, was and still is the greatest influence on Dennis. Since teaching himself to play guitar at the age of 8, Dennis has become a well-respected fingerpicking and flat picking guitarist from self-discipline, daily practice, and love for bluegrass. Contributing to Southern Accent's songs by singing harmony, he adds a smoothness to the group and lends his ideas to the arrangements of their songs and instrumentals. Dennis is employed as a trim crew leader by Enterline and Russell Builders in Blowing Rock, NC. He also gives guitar lessons weekly. Dennis has 2 daughters who live in Virginia. He and his wife, Paulette, enjoy spending time with their sons who accompany them when they travel to perform. The Isaacs' are members of Willow Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Vilas, NC. Dennis believes Southern Accent's music is a ministry and feels each member is blessed by the Lord to have been called to work and live for Him.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High...
Psalms 92:1 KJV
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Paulette Isaacs
Learning to play music from her husband, Dennis, shortly after they were married, Paulette Isaacs has continued to develop her love for bluegrass gospel. She began singing in the church choir at the age of 8 and enjoys taking the old hymns and singing them bluegrass style. Paulette plays the acoustic upright bass, a 1959 Kay (owned by Gary Trivette), for Southern Accent and sings lead and harmony vocals. Paulette's influences include The Whites, Claire Lynch, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Blue Highway, Doc Watson, Ron Block, and Barry Bales. Residing in Avery County, she and Dennis have two sons. The Isaacs' are members of Willow Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Vilas, NC. Paulette is a registered nurse, who had the privilege of working as a perioperative nurse for five years, in addition to working as a home health nurse and long-term care nurse, but now proudly stays at home to raise their sons. She is thankful for the opportunity to tell of the saving grace of Jesus Christ through music and considers it an honor and a privilege to work and live for the Lord in this ministry.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
Romans 1:16 KJV
I would like to dedicate my section to my father, the late John Malcolm Johnson (WWII veteran and former coalminer), and to my maternal grandmother, the late Grace Harris Presnell. Also, to our wonderful church family at Willow Valley Missionary Baptist Church - we love you all very much and appreciate the support you give us as we go and sing praises unto Jesus, our Lord.
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Connie Norris
Connie Norris was greatly influenced and encouraged by her father, Auborn Trivette, and his lifetime of musicianship. Other influences include Ricky Skaggs, Patsy Cline, and Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. She plays rhythm guitar, a Larrivee D-03, for Southern Accent, as well as writing some of their songs. Some of the best loved are: Time is Ticking, The Road Less Traveled, The Eye of the Storm, Lord, Open My Eyes, Step Out on Faith, On a Journey, Greater Love Hath No Man, and It Was Love - all of which Connie feels are from the inspiration of the Lord. Her strong, clear vocals compliment the group's sound tremendously. Connie and her husband, Gary Norris, have one son, and they reside in Avery County. The Norris' are members of Beech Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Sugar Grove, NC. She is a registered nurse who works at the Life Care of Banner Elk. Like the other members of Southern Accent, Connie feels a strong commitment to deliver through their songs the message of salvation only through Jesus Christ.
To find out more about Larrivee guitars, click here: www.larrivee.com
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...
Matthew 6:21 KJV
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Leonard Arnold
Leonard's biggest musical influence was his dad, George Arnold, who taught him his first chords on the guitar when Leonard was only 8 years old. Over time, his dad continued to show him more oand more about different types of instruments. They both played in churches together in groups that his dad had, but Leonard mostly remembers sitting around the house on Sunday afternoons on the front porch playing with his family of 9 siblilngs, who can almost al play music. Leonard plays a Morgan Monroe mm300 mandolin and a Antonio Strativarius-copy fiddle. He will be having a big part vocally in Southern Accent with lead and harmony vocals. Leonard is married to Lesa, his wife of 7 years, and has 2 children - Andrew and Jenn - who all encourage him and says he is "thankful to have a wife that supports me in my music ministry." The Arnolds attend Southside Freewill Baptist Church in Mountain City, at which Leonard is also the pianist in the choir. Leonard was raised in several Baptist churches, where his father was the pastor. Leonard thanks everyone that has supported him over the years in his music and thanks Southern Accent for the chance to serve the Lord in song.
To find out more about Morgan Monroe mandolins, click here: www.morganmonroe.com
To find out more about Strativarius violins, Google "Strativarius"
Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Psalms 96:2
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Jimmy Kerley
Jimmy's earliest memories of music was hearing his Mom playing guitar and singing old songs like An Old Log Cabin For Sale and old gospel hymns. Over the years he has been very blessed to have had the opportunity to play in bands with his close friends and family. Jimmy's favorite groups are The Seldom Scene, Flatt and Scruggs, Tony Rice, and Doyle Lawson; however his main influence will always be Mike Auldridge. Playing a resonator guitar made by Tooter Meredith and a Martin HD 28 guitar, Jimmy will help give Southern Accent a new sound. In 2000 Jimmy married his wife Crystal, whom he loves dearly. He has a daughter, Brittney, who hes feel is the greatest daughter a Daddy could ask for, saying, "the Lord has blessed me." Jimmy and his wife attend Three Forks Baptist Church in Taylorsville, NC. He believes that salvation thru the blood of Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, there is no other way. "I give Him praise for everything good that has happened in my life."
To find out more about Meredith resonator guitars, Google Meredith Guitars (no website available)
To find out more about Martin guitars, click here: www.martinguitar.com
And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand
John 10:28 KJV
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