STEVE “RABBIT” EASTER ANNOUNCES REFORMATION OF THE RABBIT EASTER BAND

Steve “Rabbit” Easter announced today the reformation of the Rabbit Easter Band, effective immediately. This is great news for gospel country/bluegrass lovers and the many fans of this musician extraordinaire and recipient of the 1997, 1998 and 1999 Singing News Fan Award for Musician of the Year. 

In its short tenure of only 9 months, the original Rabbit Easter Band delighted audiences everywhere with its musical virtuosity.  Their only project, “The Rabbit Easter Band” received a 1999 Dove Award nomination for Country Recorded Song of the Year for “He Chose To Wear A Crown”.  Rabbit says, “It has been my dream to put the band back together since financial difficulties forced me to break it up in 1998. I am really excited about this new group and I’m looking forward to getting out on the road and showing folks the way to the Lord." 

The new band will bring a wealth of talent and experience to its performances. 

Steve “Rabbit” Easter - Steel guitar, banjo, dobro and vocals.  Rabbit has remained at the forefront of Southern Gospel Music and has been a favorite performer serving in several premier groups. He spent his first 11 years with his family group, The Easter Brothers, before joining The LeFevres in 1976. During his four-year tenure with The Happy Goodman Family, he served as their first and only banjo player. Rusty Goodman gave him the name "Rabbit." After a few years as a studio engineer and musician, he joined The Nelons in 1988. In 1989, Steve, Jeff and Sheri Easter announced their plans to travel as a group, which gave Steve new visibility among fans as a vocalist as well as a musician.  In February 1998 he formed his own group, The Rabbit Easter Band. After disbanding the group later that year, he performed with The Crabb Family until March of this year.  With Rabbit in the band, the Crabb Family Band won their first “Favorite Band” in the 1999 Singing News Fan Awards. 

Just prior to winning the Singing News Fan Award in 1997, Rabbit emerged to center stage to record a solo project entitled “Friends” for Daywind Records.  This project showcases Easter's instrumental genius, and he is joined by some of Gospel Music's greatest vocalists, including Ivan Parker, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Rabbit’s dad, James Easter, Tim Surrett and the Isaacs and others. This project was nominated for Album of the Year (Southern & Bluegrass Gospel) for the Association for Independent Music. 

Through the years, Easter has received numerous awards and recognitions from various groups and organizations in addition to the Singing News Fan Award. These include: The Gospel Voice "Diamond Awards,” Instrumentalist of the Year for the Kentucky Gospel Music Association, Instrumentalist of the Year for the State of Georgia, Award recognition by the International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMS), Instrumentalist of the Year, Heart Aflame Awards (voted by the Southern Gospel Music Guild) and Jeff & Sheri's "Pickin' The Best Live" album was nominated for a Grammy in 1992. Steve has been featured on the following: 1997 Dove Awards, TNN’s “Prime Time Country,” “Music City Tonight” and “Nashville Now” shows, The Gaither Video Series, The National Quartet Convention, TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and The Grand Ole Opry.

Jason Camp - Bass guitar and vocal.  Jason recorded his first album with his family at the age of four. At seven years of age he was traveling full time singing gospel music with his family. At thirteen he became the original tenor for The Kingsboys touring each weekend for two years opening up for The Kingsmen. The Kingsboys won the "Favorite Horizon Group" in Singing News Fan Awards in 1983. At 15 he left the group to preach revivals and youth rallies. In 1990 and 1991 he toured with Jeff & Sheri Easter playing drums and singing specials. During this time he recorded a solo project that had five singles released some of which charted on the Singing News Top 80. Some of these also went number 1 on local charting stations in the USA and in the Netherlands. He spent several years off the road in various ministries. In 1998 he traveled with the original Rabbit Easter Band playing drums and singing tenor. Jason states it is his desire with the Rabbit Easter Band is "to uplift Jesus Christ  in everything we do. It is our goal to encourage Christians with our songs and testimonies and lead people to salvation through faith in God's Son and His sacrifice for our sins." He adds "God has a big plan and we are glad to be a part of it! Praise the Lord!"

John Youngblood – Mandolin, guitar and vocal. John began playing music at the age of 5 years. He played and sang gospel music in a family band The Hutch Mountain Boys from 1992 to 1995. In 1997 he joined the Lonesome Road Band playing and singing bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music. On Sunday mornings he played with George Simmons and the Old Chunk of Coal Band on WJFJ Radio for a gospel radio program.

Justin "Bubba" Grant – Drums. Grant, now 18 has been playing the drums since age 4. He traveled with his family, in full-time evangelism until his father assumed a full-time pastorate. Justin then played in his local church and with the Harris Family of Rock Hill, SC. 

The Rabbit Easter Band is a group that will offer the finest in southern, country and bluegrass gospel music. They are available for booking at churches, concerts and other venues. Contact: Joan Aaron, P.O. Box 349, Acton, CA 93510, 800 557-0005 or 661 269-2636, FAX 661 269-9346. Email: jajosiah@qnet.com.