Cross Rhythms UK June 2011

Reviewed by Tim Holden

Blues has always been an intensely personal music that comes from the heart and this is no exception. Kansas City-based Jimmie’s conversion and subsequent ministry has provided much experience for him to write from and the passion comes through in the music. Starting with an almost country opener “It’s A New Day” with its upbeat celebration of conversion, the styles vary from the power ballad “God Screams” through to the harmonica-laden acoustic blues of “I’ll Be Me”. The production and arrangements are excellent and work just as well on the full on, full band tracks as they do with a pared back acoustic number. Do not be fooled into thinking blues means depressing either as this album will not fail to lift the spirits and is almost a master class in blues and blues-influenced music.

Sherri, Jason, Amanda and I would like for you our friends to share in our joy as we welcome into our family my daughter Jessica. There is a huge God story attached to this announcement that we will in detail revel in the coming days.

No I didn’t have an affair. Jessica is from a relationship that I had before I meet Sherri. The “details” will follow as soon as possible all of us will be sharing something about our part in this remarkable event.

Please know I consider this to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. It is very deep, very spiritual, extremely personal and extremely wonderful. It has shown me much about myself, my family and God’s great care and love for His children.

We welcome Jessica, her husband LeRoy and their sons Matt, Seth, Aaron & Jacob in to our family. We are extremely excited and honored to have them be part of us.

Peace & Blessings,

Jimmie, Sherri, Jason & Amanda

I have been working hard most of this year writing and recording a new CD titled “Exchange”. “Exchange” is my finest work to date. I know that’s a bold statement but I think it’s true and I want you to hear it as soon as possible.

So here is the deal. We are not quite done with the entire CD but we are half way there. So we have put half of the songs on a pre-release CD and for $20.00 we will send you the pre-release CD today then sometime before March 22, 2011 we will send you a signed copy of the new CD at no additional cost. Then you’ll have two CD’s the pre-release and the entire “Exchange” CD, so you can give one away or sell one on eBay? Here is a link where you can buy yours, click here

One of the songs featured on “Exchange” is “God Screams” which you can hear “God Screams” on my Facebook fan page click here then click on the “Band Profile” tab and give it a listen and let me know what you think. Oh if your not a fan on my Facebook fan page click on Like first.

We are attempting to reach millions with the message of the gospel that is woven into every song on Exchange and for sure the message from “God Screams”. In purchasing a pre-release you are helping us with our mission.  Sure the music is great but that is not the goal. The goal is as many people as possible hearing the gospel and you can help us by ordering a pre-release or better yet several today. Thank you in advance….

Peace & Merry Christmas,

Jimmie
PS, I’ll be glad to sign the pre-release too. It will make a great gift and it’s a gift that will give twice. Once now and again before March 22.

Like anything event in the biker community it has to grow. This is the 70th year of the Sturgis Rally and it is the biggest one that I have ever seen. Our performances here have been remarkable. Our first day at The Chip and the after party 12:00 AM till 1:45 was really something. The Main Street Stage has been really outstanding as people are so open to receive the music, message and the CD’s that we are giving away. On Sunday as we were just about to start a man came up to the stage and told me this story. He said that he was walking by the stage last year and someone gave him a CD. He said that he loved the music and one day when he was really feeling down he put the CD in and all of a sudden the track “As the Story Goes” (my story) started to play. He said he was inspired by the track and has been following Jesus ever since that day! Now that’s why we do what we do. We’ve had several more stories like this one come from people who have been given a CD. The seed is working.

So I am rested and ready to do two performances tonight and bless some folks with some Good News….

Peace to y’all,
Jimmie

PS, here are some video clips from the Monday After Party click here

I am full of excitement as today we start our first day of concerts at The Legendary Buffalo Chip. I have a vision of what it will be like and I trust that it will be true. I know my band are some of the best players on earth and I know that the message in the music is powerful to heal and help. We load in at 1:00 and start playing at 5:00PM our second set tonight is from Midnight till 1:45 AM. I know there will be a “Party Going On” then for sure and we are going to be in the middle of it doing what we do…. More later.

Peace to y’all,
Jimmie

Words cannot describe how excited I am to be able to take the music and the message to the thousands of folks who will hear us, either at The Legendary Buffalo Chip or on Main Street. We are two thirds of the way to making our budget of $35,825.00 and by faith we believe for all to be meet. We have received gifts from some unexpected places and also some of the churches where I’ve ministered lately have given generously. We still need help to cover this our largest event in the history of our ministry.

If you would like to assist us click here to contribute or you can mail a check to,

Ransom Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 901495
Kansas City, MO 64190

We are also looking for an additional van to transport some of our crew. So if you have a road worthy van give me a call (816) 294-1113.

Peace & Blessings,

Jimmie

PS, here is a link to a video about the events click here….

Check it out…

Nashville, TN – Gifted bluesman, The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher, is set to release his first Christmas project, Man! It’s Christmas, on October 6, 2009 on Ain’t Skeert Tunes.

Man Its Christmas

Produced by Rev. Jimmie Bratcher, Man! It’s Christmas, hits the ground running with a jubilant classic jazz rendition of the Bratcher-penned title track, which expresses the joy of the season while referencing just about every holiday symbol there is. A smokin’ jazz funk version of “What Child Is This” follows, leading into a down-home dobro-driven country blues arrangement of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” Patriotic Christmas song “1941,” another original Bratcher tune, recalls the holiday just after the U.S. entered WWII, and expresses appreciation for those who have served our country and laid down their lives for our freedom. Backing Bratcher on the project are some world-class players, including Rick Yord (Suzy Bogguss, Lee Roy Parnell) on bass, Daron Tapscott (Joe Diffie) on fiddle and Kansas City’s Brandon Draper on drums & percussion. Bratcher is joined by Lester Estelle, Jr. (Pillar) on drums and Craig Kew (Proto-Kaw with Kerry Livgren) on bass on the live bonus DVD. Produced by Isaac Alongi (“Love, Marriage & Stinking Thinking”), the DVD gives the audience a front-row view of this lively holiday jam session.

Pastor, evangelist, author, singer, songwriter and guitarist, “The Rev” preaches in churches every Sunday, but on Saturday nights you’ll find him sharing his amazing testimony and blistering guitar licks onstage in blues clubs and at music festivals, prisons and even biker rallies.

Bratcher’s brand of the blues has been embraced by the Christian market and the mainstream blues industry alike, allowing him to perform at both Christian music festivals such as Creation East, Creation West Coast and Rock the Light, and at blues festivals such as Blues on the Hill, Simply the Blues Festival and Boxcar Full of Blues. He has appeared at venues along with Christian artists including Mercy Me, The Newsboys and Third Day, and with blues greats including Grammy winner and NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award winner David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Blues Music Award winners Zac Harmon and Otis Taylor, and Livin’ Blues Gold Award winner Hubert Sumlin, one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”

Bratcher, who serves as the bandleader and frequent commentator for the new Sky Angel/TBN TV show “Love, Marriage and Stinking Thinking,” is driven by the desire to point as many people as possible to the reality of the love that God has for them. “The blues is my most effective way to communicate,” says Bratcher.

Jimmie Bratcher’s Man! It’s Christmas will be available on Ain’t Skeert Tunes. For more information on Jimmie Bratcher, Man! It’s Christmas and his latest album, The Electric Rev, visit www.jimmiebratcher.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

McCain & Co. Public Relations
PH: 615- 262-1727
Email: mccainprnews@mccainpr.com