'The Boys from Bethlehem' gospel group holding Jacksonville reunion concert 50+ years after forming
The Boys from Bethlehem began as a group of teenagers singing about the gospel in 1971 before morphing and changing over the years. Now over 50 years later, the original group is getting back together for a reunion concert.
On March 11 at 5 p.m., inside Bethlehem Baptist Church, Michael Jarman, Marshall Jarman, Tim Jarman, Warren Jarman and Donnie Avery will reunite for the people of Jacksonville. The group's sixth original member, Tommy Jarman, passed away five years ago, but he'll be there in spirit.
Member Steve Brown will also be in attendance, though health issues will prevent him from performing. Brown was the group's piano player and joined shortly after they formed in the 70's.
"I think we all hope that people walk away with a life change or renewal," Tim said. "For us, it's become that. We've been practicing and will break down singing some of the songs. God speaks to us through those songs, and we've been very open about having an alter call and invitation, because we do see this as a ministry, not just from The Boys from Bethlehem, but from the church."
Back in 1971, Marshall said they were having fun at youth practice, singing Amazing Grace really 'countrified.' He said their youth director came out and suggested they sing on youth Sunday at church, and that's what they did.
Michael said at the time, Tim was the only one with a driver's license, and Warren was the youngest at just 14 years old.
"Then, when we went to another church that we had been invited to sing at in Jacksonville, we didn't have a name," Warren said. "We were just kinfolk getting together and singing. The pastor said, 'they don't have a name, but they're the boys from Bethlehem,' because we were from Bethlehem Church. We kind of liked it and it stuck."
Warren said what put their group on the map was a singing at the Cumberland County Coliseum for the men and boys convention. After that, they began getting booking after booking and their Uncle Bruce became their manager. Eventually, The Boys from Bethlehem was traveling to Florida, Missouri, Delaware, Kentucky and more.
Donnie said there were even times they'd do five shows in one weekend.
Warren said they also once won the North Carolina Quartet Convention in Benson. He added having Uncle Bruce as their mentor and manager helped keep them grounded during this time, because although they were all strong Christians, they were humans too.
Warren shared an anecdote of a time the group was traveling on their bus in rural Pikeville, Kentucky. The road was so rural, they couldn't get the bus up to the church, so the church had to send pickups down to get the equipment.
"Then, when we left, we had to go across a plankboard bridge. We were in a bus, so we all got off the bus, left the bus driver on there by himself so that in case something happened, we just lose one guy," Warren laughed.
Throughout the years, though, the group changed and morphed as members came and went. But now, over 50 years later, the original five, minus Tommy, are back.
"I think we realized, once we started being invited to churches, this is a ministry," Tim said. "We began to see God move in our lives, as well as people who were in our concerts, and so the attitude changed quickly. Even though we sang five times in a weekend or we traveled everywhere, we just saw people being blessed and we were blessed. All of a sudden, the tiredness didn't last very long."
Family and church member Angela Jarman said Marshall's wife had put some pictures of the group on Facebook and she started thinking how she'd love to get the band back together again. She said everyone else immediately chimed in. They had a gathering over at the fellowship hall one night back in November, and they all decided they wanted to do it.
Warren said it was something he'd thought about doing several years ago, but when Tommy passed, it took the wind out of his sails.
"We look back on our lives, being The Boys from Bethlehem and how God molded us together and created this ministry through us," Tim said. "It's kept us more accountable over the years. We were all different personalities, which we are today, but our lives have still followed the path of a Christian. We've stayed true to our roots. That's family heritage too, I think, that we all come from."
Michael said they can't help but wonder what the reaction may be of the folks who used to hear them sing, because they've changed, they don't sing like they used to.
"We recognize that a lot of the songs we will be doing, they're not popular anymore," Michael said. "It's going to bring back memories for a lot of the older folks and it's going to be like new music to the young ones that come. In the beginning, I was kind of concerned, like, we're not really doing the latest gospel music or anything. But these will be new songs that some are coming to hear for the first time."
Michael said his daughter told his granddaughter The Boys from Bethlehem were the rockstars of gospel music back in the day.
Tim added he really just wants everyone to come to the concert expecting a great time of worship, praise and renewing memories. He laughed that it certainly won't be perfect though.
"We thank God for allowing us to do this. He was in it all that time," Michael said. "If God were not here and He weren't in it, it would be really pretty hollow. It's a commitment everyone's made. Ultimately, we pray for a spiritual concert for people to actually get closer to God."
And a commitment it certainly is, especially for Tim, who lives in Charlotte and commutes every week for practice. Donnie added he's had many people come up to him over the years and say they got saved at one of the group's concerts.
Marshall said years ago, when they were having to sing four or five times in one weekend, it was easy to get complacent. He said it sometimes took the congregation to get the band really in the spirit. They'd feed off of each other. Now, all these years later, he said the words hit him again.
"When we started back singing, the words to the songs mean more today than yesterday," Marshall said emotionally.
Tim said he's excited to renew acquaintances, those who were big supporters in attendance, as well as financially and in other ways. He said many people who followed their group back in the day were older than they were, and joked the church will need a lot of handicap parking spaces the night of the concert.
He added God continues to remind them they're here for His glory and that's why He's kept them around.
"When you're 15-25 years old, you haven't experienced a lot of things in life," Tim said. "Not many of us had lost parents, gone through people with cancer, or if we did, we couldn't relate. Now, 50 years later, we've lost parents, we ourselves have had heart attacks and mental problems and other things have happened. Those people who came up to us in those years and said, 'will you pray for me?' Yes, we'll pray for God's will or whatever to be done but now we've been where they're at, and I think that's what we'll see and feel this time."
For those interested in attending the concert, it will take place in Bethlehem Baptist Church, located at 100 Half Moon Church Road in Jacksonville, and will include not only The Boys from Bethlehem, but also The Miles Family and The Four in Christ.
Doors open at 4 p.m. and a reception will follow the concert, which is expected to last through 7 p.m.
Warren said the way they look at it, it's not about them. It's about God, and their prayer is that people will be blessed by the words and those who have never accepted Christ, will.
"I think it's going to be good and fun and everything, but at the same time, it's a ministry," Warren said. "It's not just about us getting up and singing. The words to the songs now, I think the closer you get to heaven, the more the words do mean to you and if you're not real careful, we can get pretty emotional."
Reporter Morgan Starling can be reached at mstarling@jdnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: 'The Boys from Bethlehem' gospel group holding Jacksonville reunion concert 50+ years after forming
