The band began informally around 1983 when a group of musicians got together to play music at some of the Church Services at Marvin Chapel in Mt Airy MD. To this day, the band still rehearses there weekly. Those first members, Richard Arrington, George Fry, Jeff Walter, Mark Arrington, and Kenneth Wright, had no idea how the band would take off. The band has been going strong for 27 years, spreading their musical ministry at Church Services, Church Functions, Nursing Homes, Annual Candle Light Christmas Services at Eylers's Valley Chapel, Gospel and Bluegrass Festivals, Strawberry and Pumpkin Festivals, Family Reunions, Campfire Programs, the Annual Train Day at Damascus Library, The Damascus Community Fair, The Montgomery County Farm Park Steam Show, The Montgomery Fair Grounds, and have even traveled to Cass WVA for a train program. In 1985 and '87, the band got into the recording studio and recorded 2 tapes of their favorite bluegrass gospel songs.
As in many bands, members have come and gone. In addition to the "original 5", other members include Clarence Windsor, George Green, Rod Fry, Gordon Williams, Joe Zang, and Dick MacKenzie. Larry Stubbs, the father of Grand Ole Opry Emcee and Fiddle player for the Johnson Mountain Boys, Eddie Stubbs, has also sat in with the band on occaision.
The First Fruits Bluegrass Gospel Band
At Lorian- First Fruits FF @ Train Day
2010 1985 2009
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