Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Jim Brady blesses a mourning husband

Jim and Melissa Brady

“Mourn With Those Who Mourn” – How Jim Brady Blessed My Father-in-Law

By Allison Lynn

My bleary eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness. Why was my husband, Gerald, standing over me with mugs of coffee in his hands? Had I overslept? Why was it so dark?

I struggled to make sense of his words, “Dad called. Mom is in organ failure. She’s not going to make it.”

Gerry and Sandy Flemming

Two hours later, we arrived at my mother-in-law’s hospital bedside, just in time to witness the minister giving the last rites. “Ashes to ashes; dust to dust…” “Our Father, who art in heaven…” What followed was a surreal series of scenes: my weeping father-in-law, breaking the news to the neighbors, meeting with the funeral home director.

Sandy and Gerry Flemming had been married for over 50 years. Their journey had begun in a small town in New Brunswick, Canada. By the time I joined the family, Sandy and Gerry were close to retirement and living in a quiet suburban neighborhood, just north of Toronto, Ontario. They’d raised two amazing children – my husband, Gerald, and my beautiful sister-in-law, Kristi. Add in Kristi’s husband, Walt, and their sweet son, Connor, and we were a small, close-knit family. 

Sandy had three loves in life: her family, cooking, and Southern Gospel music. She loved nothing better than to have everyone gathered around the dining room table, feasting on her mouthwatering lasagna and her legendary apple crumble pudding. We had a deep well of memories created by laughing and teasing and loving on Sandy.

And now, she was missing from the table.

I could hardly imagine what my father-in-law was facing. My in-laws were private people. There wouldn’t be a parade of well-wishers at the funeral. What could I do to honor Sandy and show Gerry how much he’s loved?

I remembered that third love: Southern Gospel.

When Gerald and I were first married, we sold everything we owned and moved to Nashville to pursue our music ministry dreams. One of my great blessings at that time was working as Ben Speer’s assistant. Ben was an absolute legend. We couldn’t go anywhere without people wanting to shake his hand and share how much his music meant to them. Yet, with all that fame, he also became our friend and mentor.  With my work at Ben Speer’s Stamps-Baxter School of Music, I’d been able to meet many of the Southern Gospel artists loved by my in-laws. I started to write some of their favorites, sharing Sandy’s loss, and asking if they might reach out to Gerry in his grief.

Sandy Flemming in autographed photo of the Booth Brothers with Jim Brady

The most important letter I wrote was to Jim Brady. Sandy and Gerry loved the Booth Brothers and the Jim Brady Trio. And when I say “loved”, I don’t use that word lightly! My in-laws were homebodies, but they thought nothing of driving six hours in the Canadian snow to watch a Jim Brady concert. 

Jim and Melissa knew my in-laws by name. Gerry loved to tell “The Legend of the Sweet Tea”. Michael Booth would (jokingly) complain that his only regret about singing in Canada was the lack of sweet tea. Well, on one of their concert trips south of the border, my in-laws filled their trunk with jugs of Cracker Barrel sweet tea. Michael, Ronnie, and Jim almost fell off the stage when Gerry and Sandy gave it to them at their next Canadian concert! 

And the relationship only grew stronger over the years. Sandy and Gerry discovered that Melissa had a special love for the iconic Tim Hortons Canadian Maple donut. So, they never showed up for a concert without an entire box of sweet treats for Melissa! 

Melissa and Jim Brady

It made sense, then, when Gerry asked Gerald and me to sing a Jim Brady song for Sandy’s funeral. “On My Way Home” sings of the fleeting nature of this world and the glorious true home that awaits us in heaven. Gerald worked out a guitar arrangement and we created our own duo harmonies. I wrote to Jim to let him know that his song would be sung to honor Sandy. I hoped he’d reach out to send a small word of encouragement to Gerry.

The funeral came and went, but no word from Jim. I knew he was busy touring, but still, I was surprised by his silence. It didn’t seem like him not to respond to something like this.

A few months before Sandy’s passing, Gerry had purchased tickets for an upcoming Jim Brady Trio concert. As the date loomed, we all wondered what he would do. None of us were able to attend with him, and we hated the idea of him going alone. But attending Southern Gospel concerts was his and Sandy’s favorite thing to do together, and all Gerry wanted to do was honor his bride. 

Now, just ten days after burying the love of his life, my father-in-law sat alone at the concert, empty chair by his side.

The music started, and the Trio entered the stage. Jim stopped, gestured to my father-in-law and said, “Gerry…” Then, they started to sing “On My Way Home,” just like we had sung at the funeral! The Trio had chosen that song for Gerry, and for Sandy.

Jim Brady Trio

Gerry’s heart swelled and his tears flowed as he felt the love and the music washing over him.

Just before the intermission, the Trio sang another song about heaven. As they got to the final chorus, they left the stage, stood around Gerry, and sang it directly to him. The track ended, and Jim said, “Let’s sing that chorus again, acapella”. They laid their hands on my father-in-law and sang to him about the hope beyond all hope.

Jim had received my email! He knew Gerry would be at the concert and planned those songs as his special gift of love.

This was ministry, pure and simple. There was no showiness, no exploiting of a widower’s grief. Jim was simply following scripture: “Mourn with those who mourn.” “Encourage each other and build one another up.” “Love one another, as I have loved you.” 

Gerry called us the next day. As he shared the story, tears flowed from all of us. Tears of grief for the loss of Sandy, and tears of joy for Jim’s precious act of love. 

At that moment, Jim and the Jim Brady Trio reminded all of us of the true power of Gospel music: to lift up the brokenhearted, to love those who are hurting, and to share the promise of our one true home.

Infinitely More: Gerald Flemming and Allison Lynn

By Allison Lynn

Jim Brady Trio as seen Through the Lens of Craig Harris

The Jim Brady Trio

The Jim Brady Trio performed at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in Ashland City, Tenn., on July 6. SGNScoops’ photographer and writer, Craig Harris, attended the concert and captured these images.

More About the Jim Brady Trio from their website:

In the summer of 2014, Jim and Melissa felt the time was right to answer a new call and to embark upon a brand new ministry. Thus came the announcement that Jim would be leaving The Booth Brothers to join his wife in forming The Jim Brady Trio.

Jim and Melissa Brady are living proof that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that He is always

Layke Jones

working for our good and His glory. “God has brought so many opportunities our way as a result of Jim’s time with The Booth Brothers,” Melissa states. “Had Jim chosen to sing with Ronnie and Michael for the rest of his life, I would have supported him 100 percent, but God had other plans.”

Obviously, those plans include lots of great music and a great future for the Jim Brady Trio.

The Jim Brady Trio currently consists of Jim Brady, his wife Melissa and Layke Jones.

Read the full SGNScoops Magazine July 2018 HERE

Jim Brady

Melissa Brady

 

Download the PDF of SGNScoops Magazine HERE

Listen To Today’s Gospel Music Online HERE

Jim Brady Trio to perform in Hartselle, Alabama

Night of Celebration with The Jim Brady Trio!

National Recording Artist The JIM BRADY TRIO will perform at Tunsel Road Baptist Church, Hartselle, Alabama on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 6:00 PM.
The main thing that Jim and Melissa, also a talented singer-songwriter, want people to know is: “What we do is always and only about the Lord and telling others about Him. When we write and when we sing it is our desire and our goal, first and foremost, to lift Him up in praise.”
This event is love offering only and no ticket will be required to enter the concert!
Also appearing that night will be Regional Recording Artists, The Joyful Hearts from Cullman, Alabama.
For more information please contact David Bates at (256)-221-8781.
We look forward to seeing you that night as we have A Night of Celebration with The Jim Brady Trio.

For more Gospel music news click here.

More About The Jim Brady Trio from their website:

In the summer of 2014, Jim and Melissa felt the time was right to answer a new call and to embark upon a brand new ministry. Thus came the announcement that Jim would be leaving The Booth Brothers to join his wife in forming The Jim Brady Trio.

Jim and Melissa Brady are living proof that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that He is always working for our good and His glory. “God has brought so many opportunities our way as a result of Jim’s time with The Booth Brothers,” Melissa states. “Had Jim chosen to sing with Ronnie and Michael for the rest of his life, I would have supported him 100 percent, but God had other plans.”

Obviously, those plans include lots of great music and a great future for The Jim Brady Trio!

The Jim Brady Trio currently consists of Jim Brady, his wife Melissa and Layke Jones.

Please Pray For Jim Brady And His Family

Please pray for Jim Brady an his family

Please pray for Jim Brady and his family

From Jim Brady:

My heart hurts as I say goodbye to my big brother. He went to be with Jesus last night after a car accident. He was my biggest supporter, my friend and a great brother. I’m sure he’s already catching up my dad & sister on all the family news, as only he can. I love you Chuck!

We at SGN Scoops are all praying for the family

Find More News HERE

Praying For Jim Brady

Praying For Jim Brady

From The Booth Borthers .. Folks we ask you to join us in praying for the Brady family once again. Jim Brady’s sister Debbie has gone home to be with the Lord after battling cancer. She was a precious sister in Christ. As some of you know, Jim just said goodbye to his father Charles Brady three weeks ago. We love this wonderful family! May this remind us all that this world is NOT home. Salvation is through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ to ANYONE who will call on Him in faith believing.

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Jim Brady’s father passes away

Chuck Brady Sr.

SGN Scoops has learned that Jim Brady’s dad, Chuck Brady Sr.passed away today.

Jim Brady

Today, September 14 2015 at 5:05 pm, Jim tweeted to his followers: “He’s home…November 12, 1937 – September 14, 2015. Farewell, but not forever!”

Our condolences and prayers go out to Jim and his family, as well as Chuck Brady’s wife, all of his children and extended family.

Tune In Alert: Lari Goss – The Man Behind The Music

This One-Hour TV Special is hosted by Jim Brady and Gerald Wolfe, and honors the life and music of Lari Goss, who passed away in January of this year.

SHILOH HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH to host The JIM BRADY TRIO in Concert

Jim Brady Trio At SiriusXM

The JIM BRADY TRIO will perform at Shiloh Hills Baptist Church, Kennesaw, GA on Friday, March 13th, at 7:00 PM.

The Jim Brady Trio Takes A Leap…Of Faith

Jim Brady Trio

Twelve years. Jim Brady spent more than 12 years of his life singing, sharing, laughing and living with the Booth Brothers. His mellow baritone and incredible range made him fit in the group like another brother. However, beginning January 1, 2015, he followed God’s call to begin his own journey with his wife Melissa, and Tim Parton. So the obvious question is…why?

“Well it’s been a dream of (mine),” Brady begins. “My wife and I actually sang together as The Shulers. Her father was an evangelist, and we did revivals, crusades and churches; a little bit of concert work and a lot of church work.”

After 10 years, Melissa’s father came off the road. Jim and Melissa continued as The Shulers with a man who would play a role in Jim’s future: Paul Lancaster. Then came the call that would alter Jim’s life significantly. The Booth Brothers asked him to fill in until they found another singer.

“After about three weeks of filling in, my wife came to me and said, ‘you know what, if you think that’s where God wants you, then I’m behind you.’ The Bradys had just built a home close to her parents and Melissa’s father was ill. Jim wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. In fact, he didn’t even consider it.

“Melissa said, ‘you know my home is wherever you are and if you feel like this is God opening a door for you, I don’t want to hold you back.’ We felt like God had opened up a great door and I didn’t realize He was doing that, because I was truly just going to help the guys because I loved them and respected them. So, after a few weeks of filling in I said to the guys, ‘If you guys are interested, you know, I’d be interested.’” Then Michael and Ronnie Booth admitted that they hadn’t actually auditioned anyone else. Jim Brady was officially a Booth.

Jim Brady Trio At SiriusXM

“The first night I ever sang with the guys was with the Gaithers in Nashville. I met Bill on stage, in front of all those people.” Jake Hess was there, and told Brady that he really “fit” with the Booths. “That was a great compliment. You know, I’m nervous, I’m around all these heroes of mine and Mosie Lister, the great legendary songwriter, said to me: ‘you could be a (Booth) Brother, you sound like a Brother.’” Terrific compliments, from a couple of gentlemen who embodied Gospel music.

Jim Brady had an amazing start with the trio that would take his voice and his music to the top of the charts and to the heart of every listener. Many thought the three men would continue on until they rode off into the sunset together.

One of those, however, was not Michael Booth. “It’s one of these things that we always knew was a possibility because he had his own group before he came with us. So we are just grateful for the amount of years we got,” says Michael. “You can’t fault a guy for wanting to be working with his wife! She has spent an enormous amount of time alone. With our [Ronnie and Michael’s] wives, we have children. Ronnie’s are grown and out of the house, but my wife home schools our kids and although it is hard for her to do that job by herself, she is not alone. She has the burden of being the guy and the gal, raising our kids by herself. But for Melissa it got pretty lonely.”

Michael immediately adds, “We want to make sure everybody understands that it was not a situation where Melissa talked her husband into quitting the Booth Brothers. That was NOT the case. I think it was Jim realizing that if he was ever going to do it, he needed to do it now. We are just grateful we got almost 13 years to sing with him.”

Scoops staff with Booth Brothers

Brady knew it was the right time. “I felt like God was really putting it on Melissa’s and my heart to do this ministry. God has opened up doors for her and I, the last couple of years. It was hard to tour with the Booth Brothers and then do what we wanted to. We have a Ladies’ Ministry and conferences that she does. We do a lot of traveling together, banquets and marriage conferences.”

The Booth Brothers were doing 150 concerts a year, which kept the Bradys apart for 200 days a year. “The reason ‘now’ is the right time is because first of all, I’m not getting any younger, and we cherish the moments we have together. We can now minister and do what God has called us to do – together – for those 200 days. You can’t get those back.”

How does it feel to begin again? “It’s a leap of faith, it’s exciting, it’s crazy and it’s hectic right now, but I feel like it’s the right thing. Once we made that decision, we just had peace that God was leading every step of the way.”

“It’s hard to leave. This is a great job! When you think about the familiar and the safe and it’s all laid out for me; all I do is walk on the bus.” With the Booth Brothers, everything was provided that the Jim Brady Trio may not have at the first, from the sound engineer to the driver to the product person. “I just walk on stage and they hand me my mike and I sing, and it’s very easy. It’s awesome, it’s been rewarding to do this but I’m in some ways starting over and now it’s all up to me to do all that.”

Sometimes when God asks you to leap, it doesn’t make sense. “You walk through those doors and He provides, and He opens. It’s been amazing the doors He’s already opened, the concerts that are being booked. It’s like the floodgates of heaven have opened up and He’s given us the opportunity that we had hoped for.”

“So you take that leap of faith, and I don’t know why we’re surprised, we know God says He’ll take care of us and walk with us and it’s funny how we’re surprised when He does.” The Jim Brady Trio has signed on with the Harper Agency, the same booking agency that works with the Booth Brothers. The dates are coming in fast.

“Our first date is at Opryland Hotel with Legacy Five. It’s kind of neat; December 31^st is Paul Lancaster’s first day with the [Booth Brothers] and I’ll do a little bit (with them) that night. The very next day is our first date as the Jim Brady Trio. It’s kind of a goodbye and then the start of a new chapter of my life.” On January 4^th, the Trio is scheduled to be Dr Charles Stanley’s church. “What a way to start out! God has opened the doors and we hope to walk through them and just be faithful.”

Jim Brady Trio

The Jim Brady Trio is working hard to get their new music to their audience. They have completed a project that was recorded in four days, over the Thanksgiving break, and Daywind will release it, with the first single to be determined. At press time it was tentatively self-titled, but Brady says that may change.

“We wrote a lot for this project, and a couple of songs were written directly to where we’re at right now in our life (lives). One of the songs is just called, ‘Stepping Out in Faith.’ There’s another one called, ‘The God of What’s to Come.’ We wrote it specifically for what our life is right now. We pulled a few songs that I’ve written through the years that I felt would fit, and what we need for our live performances right now. I did some familiar songs that I’ve written that [people] would know and then we pulled some classics, then the rest are fresh and new.”

Tim Parton

Brady wanted to make sure all the songs were exactly right for the new Trio. As a prolific songwriting couple, it was hard to decide between all of their ‘babies.’ “You know you kind of love your ‘kids’ the best. We didn’t want to play favorites, so we bounced it off a lot of friends. So Scott Godsey and Ed Leonard, and the people at Daywind have been really helpful to give opinions and ideas of what would be the best. I think we’ve got the right collection. We’re excited!”

At first it was surprising for Booth Brothers’ fans to see who the new voice would be in the Jim Brady Trio, a man who has been known more for his piano work than his vocals. Jim first met Tim Parton when Parton was with the Missouri family group, The Lesters.

“I’ve known him all these years, but we toured together for several years with the Christmas Jubilee tour and then the regular Jubilee tours, because he was part of Legacy Five. When we recorded all those Jubilee projects, he was arranging and producing and we became great friends. Through the years we’ve just worked together; even on some Booth Brother dates, Tim would be opening, playing the piano, and then he’d sing a little.”

Jim Brady

Jim and Melissa invited Parton to join them in their Nashville conferences entitled Something Beautiful. “We’ve worked with him on stage, in the studio, we’ve had him in our home, so we just felt a good connection with Tim. Not only is he an unbelievable talent, he’s also a great singer, and he’s just a great guy. He’s just a great human being; he has a sweet, gentle spirit. We loved him and we knew that the personalities would click. When we started singing, the blend just worked. There’s something magical that happens when three voices blend well together and that’s one of the things that the Booth Brothers have been known for and people love, is that chemistry that those voices have. We actually talked to him about coming before we ever sang together. When we did, it felt right. You know as a singer if you think you can blend with somebody, and then more than that, you got to think about living together on the road in a 45-foot bus or 40-foot motor home.”

“Whatever you’re in, you’re in tight quarters, so you have to be able to get along, work together, and be like-minded in ministry as well as music. We knew that with Tim we would also connect spiritually and in ministry.” The Bradys knew that there would be harmony with Parton on and off the stage.

Jim & Melissa Brady

As exciting as this new leap of faith is for the Bradys, Jim says that there are things he will miss, from the Booths, to their driver, to all the men who work with them. “I’ll miss those moments of fun with these guys. The music has been wonderful. It’s those moments on stage that are so priceless to me: when you feel God working, and you feel the song with the audience. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss the laughs on the bus I’m sure, because we absolutely had a wonderful time.”

“My wife and I love to be together and there’s nothing like it, it’s just wonderful, but I think sometimes you get out with the guys and you laugh a little more and it’s different. We’ll have that too, it’ll just be a different dynamic.”

The Jim Brady Trio’s goals are much the same as the Booth Brothers’ and as Jim’s personal goals: to bring hope. “It seems like everywhere you turn, people are hopeless; tragedies are happening, and they feel like they have no hope. But we want to remind people that there is hope, there’s always hope in Christ. It’s more than success, if you can help an audience, help a Christian in their walk with the Lord, to know that it’s not just about the here and now. You can remind them of the things we have to look forward to. It’s significant when you help people for eternity; whether it is salvation for those that do not know the Lord, or just encouragement for those who do know the Lord, who are going through a hard time. That’s really what I would love, that would be huge to us if we felt that we could do that successfully. That would be fulfilling for us.”

Find out more about the Jim Brady Trio HERE

Visit the SGN Scoops website to read a follow-up story called Getting Personal with Jim Brady HERE

By Lorraine Walker

First published by SGN Scoops in January 2015. Download this issue HERE.

BOOTH BROTHERS AT SHILOH HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH

The Booth Brothers

By Robert York

Stan Whitmire

After opening remarks, introductions  and announcements, Pastor Vic Bledsoe introduced the Shiloh Hills Choir under the direction of Matt Bledsoe.  A great music program from the choir concluded with “How Great Thou Art.”

The Booth Brothers took the stage ​to a standing crowd, singing many of their new songs that featured their newest member Paul Lancaster.  Michael introduced a special guest in the audience: Stan Whitmire. He invited Stan to the piano and Michael, Ronnie and Paul gathered around the piano to sing. Stan accompanied the group throughout the second half of the concert on the piano also playing a couple of piano solos.  Michael closed the program with prayer and folks hung around for about an hour talking with the guys. I must say that Paul Lancaster is a great fit for the Booth Brothers.

The next concert at Shiloh Hills Baptist Church will featured the departed member of The Booth Brothers, Jim Brady and the Jim Brady Trio. This concert will be March 13 at 7:00 pm.  Former Mark Trammell Quartet bass singer, Pat Barker, will open for the Jim Brady Trio.