Next to theology, I give to music the highest place and honor. Music is the art of the prophets; the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has give us. - Martin Luther
GROUP PROFILE
Members: Craig Allen: guitar, banjo, dobro, vocals; Danny Allen: sound engineer / equipment technician; Jason Allen: bass; Brandi Blair: vocals; Dale Blair: guitar; and Dan Wells: guitar, fiddle and vocals.
Influences: The Rochesters; Doyle Lawson; Ricky Skaggs; Del McCoury; and others.
Venues: The BLACK CREEK members have played many different venues together over the years, including church functions such as revivals, homecomings, seasonal festivals, youth rallies, camp meetings, and missions events. Denominational differences are of no effect where BLACK CREEK's ministry is involved, because they believe every denominational intricacy falls behind the question that must be answered both first and finally... ARE YOU SAVED OR AREN'T YOU? Once that initial question is answered for the good in the first place, all other questions will fade into place in the final hour. And that is the first and foremost mission of BLACK CREEK; to be vessels through which the Holy Spirit can minister to lost souls.
BLACK CREEK has also played many festivals such as Acorn, Oaktoberfest, Painter Farm Bluegrass, Laurel Lakes Bluegrass, Sweet Potato, and Farmers Day; music halls, theatres, and general stores; civic clubs such as Ruritan and Lions; private engagements such as benefits, birthdays, fundraisers, dinners, and reunions; and even Fishers of Men fishing tournaments.
BLACK CREEK ministers wherever the Lord opens a door. They've had the honor of performing at events with such great artists as Jeff & Sheri Easter, Roby Huffman & the Bluegrass Cutups, The Singing Perrys, and others, but the greatest honor of all is playing for the Lord Jesus Christ.
In The Beginning: The current group found its beginnings in another group called Jordan's Journey back in 2000. Craig, who was a fresh convert, began playing and singing at church. Scott and Tracie became intrigued with the music he played, and joined in a couple Sundays along with another church member, Cabot. Craig began playing at retirement facilities, Scott, Tracie, and Cabot tagged along, and the bug bit. They played as Jordan's Journey until the Lord called Cabot to seminary in 2002. Craig, Scott, and Tracie came back together in 2004 as BLACK CREEK, with Danny as sound engineer. Skyler and Julie Smith worked with BLACK CREEK a few months in early 2008 to give Scott and Tracie a break from the road.
What's In A Name: The name BLACK CREEK evolved from the members' common geography (and Craig's wife, Jenny). We all live right next door to one another on a tributary of BLACK CREEK, which is a topographical feature that defines the rural area we call "home."
Favorite Song: We each have our own personal favorite. But our group favorite would likely be "Heaven's Door," a song written and arranged by singer/songwriter Gary Duty at Sound Doctrine Music which gives a straight-ahead outline of the reason Jesus came, and that's our mission.
We're Different Because: Of our strong conviction to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. We want folks to hear the Message, not the music; the Savior, not the sound. We long to see the lost come into the fold. God help us never to neglect the work of carrying the Gospel and to see the lost as God sees the lost.
Oddest Engagement:
Keysville, Virginia Trip 2008 (To the tune of Gilligan's Island Theme Song)
Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of the lot of us
We started to Virginia on BLACK CREEK’s big tour bus
The driver was a mighty man, his helper brave and sure
Five passengers set out that night for a 3-hour tour, a 3-hour tour.
The weather started getting rough, the big tour bus was tossed
Even with the help of the GPS, the big tour bus got lost
We finally came to a church we thought was where we were to be
With Scott and Craig in the rain and dark to find the power we need
But it was not the place we booked, we finally understood
So back on the road went the big tour bus to find it if we could
The road ran out in the pasture of unknowing, startled cows
We knew at once we must back up, but no one knew just how
We turned and rode the other way, on the wrong road the whole time
We laughed to make the best of things, it was an uphill climb
Twenty miles across another county line the tour bus went
Five hours later, we pulled in, but all of us were spent.
The group set camp on the side of this uncharted country road…
With Davie Craig, and Jenny too,
Linwood Scott and his wife
And Cody Lee
Were in the bunks, sleeping tight, here on BLACK CREEK’s tour bus!
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