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| Ben, Suzie, Dennis, Bailey & Bonnie (in the back) |
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When you write your own bio, it is similar to maybe writing your own obituary. Except of course you don't know the publication date of the paper. The one sure thing I do know is that I will be ready to go when the time comes. Can you say the same? I accepted Christ as a young child and I look to Him for guidance everyday. Even though I stumble it is usually because I fail to follow his instruction. Prayer is your hot line to God so do it often.
December 28th, 1968 is the day the Lord blessed me with the greatest parents a child could ever want (Fred & Christine Houser). I have 2 sisters (Barbara Ringley & Debbie Wilkinson) and 1 brother (Darrell Houser). As a child I attended Belle Meadows Baptist in Bristol, VA. That is where I was able to hear to Word preached from many fine pastors and evangelists like Maze Jackson. You can still catch him sometimes on the radio even though he has gone on to his just reward. Blessings from God later came in the form of my wife Suzie who I love dearly. We were Sullivan East High School sweethearts and were married July 14th, 1990. Who ever made up all those in-law jokes would have nothing to say about mine. Suzie's parents (Darryl & Joyce Chambers) were God sent and they mean more to me then words can describe. More blessings came later to us in the form of 3 children: Bonnie, Ben & Bailey. They are all talented and I hope and pray the Lord will use them someway. All three of my children have accepted Christ as their Savior. That was an answered prayer. Without such a strong wife I would not be able to continue with the group. She has so much to do when I am gone getting the kids to and from. We attend Fellowship Baptist Church in Bluff City, TN. Suzie and myself are self employed at a family retail business in Bristol, TN. Village Discount Drapery is the business my parents started in 1971 and we now have 3 generations of family in the store. You can check out our shop at WWW.COUNTRYRUFFLES.COM . We also have residential and commercial rental property. Need a townhouse in Bristol? WWW.BRIARCLIFFESTATES.COM .
When I was asked to join Gospel Grass "Family" in 1999, I really had no idea what I was getting into. (The members and their families of the group are a version of an extended family.) Thru my life, ever since I can remember, music has always got my attention. I had played some keyboard and bass guitar in church and for my own personal enjoyment but I had no experience in playing bluegrass. Rhythm guitar was Greek to me but I was willing to learn and taught myself over the next two years. In 2001 the mandolin position was opened in the group and since I owned one I started trying to learn. (Some people collect stuff. I collect musical instruments.) God has talents for all people and I want to honor Him in what he has given to me in music. The mandolin that I played is a Ratliff R-5 made in Church Hill, TN. You can check out the Ratliff web site on our links page. On vocals I usually would sing baritone but sometimes high tenor or lead vocal depending on the song. I still handle Gospel Grass' web site but Larry Wright is now playing mandolin for the group as of Feb. 2008.
On January of 2007, I was blessed to be given a Bluegrass Gospel radio show on WIGN 1550 AM Radio. The show, which is called "THIS GRASS IS GOSPEL", is currently broadcast Saturday afternoon at 4:30 PM and sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM. The show can be heard on WIGN's web site also at WWW.1550WIGN.COM . If you have a bluegrass group and have recorded Gospel and want to send me a copy for possible air play then please do so at: Dennis Houser, 215 Raytheon Road, Bristol, TN 37620. I look forward to hearing from you.
When you go to God and pray remember me and my family. Always be faithful to God and he will be faithful to you. God Bless............. |
