The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher The Electric Rev (Ain’t Skeert Tunes) Released August 2009 Reviewed by Robert Ham

Style:A soulful hybrid of blues, funk and gospel

Top tracks: “Elijah’s Road,” “Pray for Me”

In a nutshell: With a voice like Lyle Lovett and the guitar chops of B.B. King, Reverend Jimmie Bratcher preaches an unusually funky gospel on his latest album. But it is one that no less moving and inspiring than the most well-worn worship song. Bratcher, a regular on TBN’s Love, Marriage and Stinking Thinking, tries his hand at everything from impassioned dobro breakdowns (“Elijah’s Road”), a New Orleans-style shuffle (“Green Bananas”) and sax-driven funk on this fun and surprisingly powerful disc.

Check out this review from the February / March 2009 issue of Blues Revue Magazine

THE REV. JIMMIE BRATCHER
The Electric Rev.
Ain’t Skeert Tunes

The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher looks like someone you might find on an East Coast college campus an intellectual hipster who reads Kant while sipping white wine. It’s all the more startling, then, that “Call On Me,” the opening track of Bratcher’s fine new album, erupts with a blast of righteously down home funk. It’s as if Ray Charles has been reincarnated in the body of a character from a Woody Allen movie.

Bratcher is a study in contradictions. The Kansas City-based performer is an evangelical minister who splits his time between churches and bars. But listeners wary of folks who use religion as a political force can rest easy: Bratcher’s approach, at least on this outing, is universal enough to stand on its own in a multicultural world. This is due in large part to his strong sense of musicianship. Surrounding himself with a cadre of first-rate musicians, Bratcher builds each performance on intelligent and unexpected elements – the tuba, for instance, that rumbles beneath the opening track. Bratcher accompanies himself ably on guitar, and his voice is excellent: clear, soulful, and penetrating, with a built-in elasticity that lets him explore diverse musical forms without straining.

“Green Bananas” is a fun New Orleans-styled shuffle, while “Pray for Me” captures the slow blues intensity of classic Percy Mayfield ballads. “One Rock” arrives with a spirited burst of pure gospel energy, balancing the darker mood of tracks such as “When the Blues Come.” Bratcher’s power diminishes when he embraces heavy rock balladry: The wry humor that makes much of the disc sparkle disappears on heavy-handed tracks such as “Cadillac” and “How Far Down.” This comes as a disappointing surprise, since Bratcher ventures into serious territory elsewhere without sounding leaden. Fortunately, spirits rise for the closing track, a funky cover of “Grits Ain’t Groceries.”

As Bratcher proves on The Electric Rev., blues and gospel aren’t merely acquaintances; they’re branches of the same family tree.

-David Freeland

Download Article

Cover High Res.

Cover Low Res.

Profile Pic High Res.

Profile Pic Low Res.

Blues Blast Magazine April 2009

The Reverend Jimmie Bratcher – The Electric Rev

Ain’t Skeert Tunes www.theelectricrev.com

The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher is an honest-to-gosh man of the cloth, along with being a pretty hot blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Based in Kansas City, MO, Bratcher brings, as one might expect, a strong gospel influence to his blues music and the songs contained on his latest CD release The Electric Rev., are entertaining and uplifting at the same time. Bratcher uses his music as part of his ministry to preach the word to both the churched and un-churched alike and takes his blues and his message everywhere and anywhere he is needed. He plays in venues ranging from blues clubs to churches to correctional institutions, bringing the Word with him. If his sermons are anything like his CD, Rev. Bratcher surely has a large and growing congregation, as he is one of the more unique and talented characters on the roots music scene today.

When preaching time comes, Bratcher really turns it on, as evidenced on the CD’s opening cut “Call On Me”. The song calls those struggling in their lives and marriages to call on Jesus, letting them know that He is there with them through their darkest hour, all over a sweet gospel groove. Bratcher lays his soul bare on this and other cuts here and speaks directly to what is good in all of us, which is what makes his message understandable by all types of people, not just the already devout. Other highlights on the record include “Green Bananas”, “Pray For Me”, and “Cadillac”. Those looking for a different flavor in the music they love or for deeper lyrical content than the typical big-legged-woman-fuss-fight-boogie themes found in much of the blues may find what they seek as part of Bratcher’s flock.

Reviewer Mike O’Cull is a noted Chicago music writer and Blues Blast contributor. Visit his MySpace page at:
www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic

Download Article

Cover High Res.

Cover Low Res.

Profile Pic High Res.

Profile Pic Low Res.

March 30, 2009

A few days after I believed on Jesus in December 1976 a guy who I had never really meet stopped by my house and dropped off a few records. I had never heard of the artists but they soon became my life line to another world, a better world for sure. Who were the artists? Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy.

Last week I was invited to jam with both Paul & Phil two of my all-time favorite musicians. I was blessed and stressed at the same time. Bless to be invited and stressed because Phil is in my opinion one of the greatest guitar player alive!!! WOW. But I found both these men to be great men of faith and honor. I had a blast.

During sound check Phil walks over and says “hey Jimmie, you ever do this”? He’s giving me a guitar lesson on the spot. Needless to say I came home and have been practicing that riff and you know it will show up someplace in my playing.

Paul is one of the best songwriters in not only Christian music but in my mind all of music. He for sure has spoken to my life.

One of the lessons I have learned from being around successful people is that almost all of them have this really outstanding attitude. They are kind, gracious, encouraging and willing to give. I think it is the coolest thing. Being around people like that makes me want to try harder and be better.

Anyway, I heard there was going to be some bootleg YouTube clips leaked out and when they do I will for sure let you know.

Peace,
Jimmie

PS, if you don’t know who Paul Clark & Phil Keaggy are here are their links.

I’ve been on the road this month and MAN it was fabulous. Even after I tell you that I’ve never been colder in my life that this month and it was still fabulous!!!

As in 2008 my friend Mark Gungor invited me to Green Bay, WI for three weekends in a row to help him with a teaching series “How to Beat the Blues”. If the cold in Green Bay wasn’t bad enough I spent last week in Winnipeg and man it was really cold there. I was invited to appear on a TV show “It’s a New Day” and that was a blast.

While in Green Bay ministering at the church we were able to do an “Out of the Box” event in prison. It was the first time that this institution has ever allow anything of this size behind the walls. We were able to do two full concert with altar ministry and it was outstanding.

As we cleared security they gave each of us a visitors id card. In a spontaneous moment while speaking I pointed at one of the men who was wearing an inmate id card and said “how about I trade with you, you take my card and leave and I’ll stay here and do your time”. Needless to say I had his attention and the guards as well. I continued to explain that this is exactly what Jesus did for us all “paid the price for our crime so that we could be free”. It was a powerful moment that I am sure every man there will remember.

Let’s not forget that if it we’re for Jesus, if it wasn’t for Him breaking the chains that held us we would still to this day be bound. I am so glad for the gospel that is the power of God for all mankind.

Here are a couple of pictures from Lambeau Field I had lunch at the stadium t a great place called Curly’s. Next time you’re at a Packer’s game check it out.

Peace….. Jimmie

I’m in Green Bay, WI the next two weekends helping my friend Mark Gungor with a series of messages titled “How to Beat the Blues”. This week I’ll be doing a couple of tunes and next week I’ll be preaching and I want your help.

So, How do YOU beat the blues?

Make some comments and if I use you’re I’ll send you some free stuff!!!

Jimmie

Love Marriage & Stinking Thinking debuts on TBN today and Dish Network Tuesday!  Jimmie wrote all the music and he and the band perform LIVE on all the episodes. Hosted by pastor, marriage and relationship expert– and very funny guy–Mark Gungor.  Throughout the series, Mark exposes the true source of marriage problems and the flawed notions -or stinking thinking- that shape our expectations of marriage.

Co-Hosted by actress, author Nancy Stafford who engages Mark in a lively discussion from a woman’s perspective.

Jimmie leads a killer house band.  Mark answers the question so many have, “why do you have a blues band on a show about marriage?” the answer “Because it’s a show about marriage”

So tune in every week, and get ready to Laugh and Love your way to a better marriage!

***Set your DVR to record the show every week!***
TBN
Thursdays
9:30pm PST
11:30 PM CST
12:30am EST

Sky Angel 2 on
Dish Network [266]
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7:00pm EST
8:00 PM CST
4:00pm PST

Tell them So! During this holiday season we are all going to be with friends and family and that means conflicts. It’s just part of life, we all get on each others nerves, we all have times of making someone else mad, saying things in the heat of the moment that we really don’t mean. This will happen, but be ready to get past this. “Tell them So”.

What do you mean “Tell the So”? I am in Kentucky at this moment where we played one of the concerts on this years Christmas tour. The highlight of the evening for me was playing the song “1941”. It is a memorial to my parents Pete & Marge and their generation that some call, the greatest generation. They were depression era kids and when the call came for them to fight and sacrifice for the cause of freedom they rose to the call.

The first verse of the song says this “Just a boy from the farm, he left the plow and took up arms, Pete was just seventeen. December 7th gripped his soul, December 8th he swore an oath to fight and die if that’s what it took, 1941”. I think about my Dad at seventeen my grandparents giving their permission for him to go fight our enemies. I realize that the young that fight our wars’, are our most precious and valuable resources, that we ask to risk the most and we must be forever grateful.

When I talk about this song I talk about it in two lights, one honor and the other regret. Honor is obvious, all who have fought for us deserve our respect and esteem. But regret? Yes, my personal regret for things I should have told my folks, “Tell them So”. Words that I wish I had taken the time to say to my Mom and Dad, words of honor, words of respect, words of the deep love that I have for them. But I was silent, I kept my words to myself and now that my folks are gone my words have no value expect regret.

Sure, my folks knew I loved them but I could have done a much better job in telling them so. I remember the moments that we were together, I had the time, you know just a passing alone moment in the kitchen with my Mother at a family dinner, just a moment alone with my Dad to look them in the eyes and “TELL THEM SO”. Say the words that need to be said.

So this holiday season, take the time to tell those you love that you love them. Take, or make the time in your busy holiday schedule to take just a few minutes to tell them about the love and respect that you have for them.

Here is a copy of my song “1941” my way of saying thanks to very great man and woman who has fought for our nation and as my folks for being the greatest Mom and Dad in the history of the planet. Of course I am sure you say, “no it’s your folks” who are the greatest and all I have to say to that is well “TELL THEM SO”?

So from our house to yours we love you and are thankful for your love and friendship.

Peace & Merry Christmas,
Jimmie & Sherri

December 15, 2008

We just got word that the Man! It’s Christmas video is airing on “Gospel Music Channel“, “JCTV” & “TCT” Network. We are thankful for everyone who helped us make this happen. Be watching for the video and email me if you see it.

Jimmie

We started a national radio promotion campaign on November 3rd and the first week of the campaign we had over 100 stations add a song from “The Electric Rev.” to their play lists. One show “Blues Deluxe” has over 2.1 million listeners. The show we are on will start to air Sunday, November 23rd. Here is the list of stations from Blues Deluxe, tell your friends to listen.

STATION                FREQUENCY           LOCATION                           AIR DATE/TIME               AUDIENCE

KXLW-FM    96.3 FM    Anchorage, AK    Sundays, 8 p.m.    13,300
WALW-FM    98.3 FM    Huntsville, AL    Saturdays, 6:30 p.m.    25,000
WZEW-FM    92.1 FM    Mobile, AL    Sundays, 8 a.m.    72,000
KAWW-FM    100.7 FM    Searcy, AR    Sundays, 8 p.m.    25,000
KLPZ-AM    1380 AM    Parker/Lake Havasu, AZ    Mondays, 1:30 p.m.    40,000
KMGN-FM    93.9 FM    Phoenix/Flagstaff, AZ    Sundays, 8 p.m.    58,000
KMMT-FM    106.5 FM    Mammoth Lakes, CA    Sundays, 9 p.m.    10,000
KZRO-FM    100.1 FM    Redding, CA    Sat., 4 p.m. & 11 p.m.    23,800
KZIQ-FM    92.7 FM    Ridgecrest, CA    Saturdays, 10 a.m.    40,000
KMET-AM    1490 AM    Riverside/S. Bernadino, CA    Sundays, 9 p.m.    50,000
KXFM-FM    99.1 FM    Santa Maria, CA    Sundays, 11 p.m.    15,000
KVLE-FM    93.5 FM    Crested Butte/Monarch, CO    Thursdays, 2 p.m.    11,000
KIQX-FM    101.3 FM    Durango, CO    Saturdays, 5 p.m.    25,000
KFTM-AM    1400 AM    Ft. Morgan, CO    Wednesdays, 5 p.m.    11,500
KSBV-FM    93.7 FM    Salida, CO    Mondays, 9 a.m.    10,500
WLVO-FM    106.1 FM    Live Oak, FL    Saturdays, 6 p.m.    30,000
WWLL-FM    105.7 FM    Sebring, FL    Sundays, 11 a.m.    38,500
WKSX-FM    92.7 FM    Augusta, GA    Sundays, 8 p.m.    30,000
WDBN-FM    107.5 FM    Dublin, GA    Sundays, 9 p.m. & 10 p.m.    12,000
WPNG-FM    101.9 FM    Pearson, GA    Sat. 1 p.m./Sun. 6 a.m./3 p.m.    66,000
KALA-FM    88.5 FM    Davenport, IA    Mondays, 8 p.m.    19,500
KECH-FM    93.5 FM    Sun Valley/Ketchum, ID    Mondays, 9 p.m.    17,000
WWHP-FM    98.3 FM    Champaign, IL    Mon., 12 p.m. & 6 p.m.    23,000
WXRD-FM    103.9 FM    Chicago, IL / N.W. Indiana    Sundays, 10 p.m.    35,000
KALA-FM    105.5 FM    Moline, IL    Thursdays, 8 p.m.    18,500
KLKC-AM/FM    93.5 FM/1540 AM    Parsons, KS    Thursdays, 10 p.m.    26,000
WXMZ-FM    106.3 FM    Hartford, KY    Sundays, 9 p.m.    18,000
WHAY-FM    98.3 FM    Whitley City, KY    Sundays, 9 p.m.    50,000
WJDF-FM    97.3 FM    Orange/Central, MA    Sundays, 10 p.m.    45,000
WSYY-FM    94.9 FM    Bangor, ME    Sat., 10 p.m./Sun., 11 p.m.    22,000
KLLZ-FM    99.1 FM    Bemidji, MN    Sundays, 9 p.m.    11,500
KFMC-FM    106.5 FM    Fairmont/Mankato, MN    Sundays, 10 a.m.    13,500
KOZY-AM    1320 AM    Grand Rapids, MN    Sundays, 8 p.m.    30,000
KRWB-AM    1410 AM    Roseau, MN    Saturdays, 9 p.m.    10,000
KCMQ-FM    96.7 FM    Columbia, MO    Sundays, 7 a.m.    83,500
KHBL-FM    96.9 FM    Hannibal, MO    Fridays, 7 p.m.    13,800
KSEK-FM    99.1 FM    Joplin, MO    Sundays, 5 p.m.    35,000
KRXL-FM    94.5 FM    Kirksville, MO    Sundays, 9 p.m.    30,000
KNIM-FM    97.1 FM    Maryville, MO    Sundays, 9 p.m.    25,000
KKID-FM    92.9 FM    Rolla/Salem, MO    Saturdays, 10 a.m.    10,500
WROX-AM    1450 AM    Clarksdale, MS    Saturdays, 8 p.m.    9,900
WKNZ-FM    107.1 FM    Hattiesburg, MS    Sundays, 12 Noon    17,000
WKSO-FM    97.3 FM    Natchez, MS    Fridays, 7 p.m.    9,900
KMMS-FM    95.1 FM    Bozeman, MT    Sundays, 8 p.m.    28,000
KZMT-FM    101.1 FM    Helena, MT    Sundays, 6 p.m.    11,700
KZPR-FM    105.3 FM    Minot, ND    Sundays, 12 Noon    45,000
KMHA-FM    91.3 FM    New Town, ND    Sat., 6 p.m./Sun., 6 p.m.    16,000
KSIL-FM    105.5 FM    Silver City, NM    Mondays, 7 p.m.    25,000
KBZB-FM    98.9 FM    Las Vegas/Pioche, NV    Sun./Wed./Fri., 1 p.m.    38,000
WKTX-AM    830 AM    Youngstown, OH    Sundays, 8 p.m.    50,000
WYBZ-FM    107.3 FM    Zanesville, OH    Sundays, 9 p.m.    20,000
KUSH-AM    1600 AM    Cushing, OK    Sundays, 7 p.m.    14,000
KIXR-FM    104.7 FM    Ponca City, OK    Wednesdays, 8 p.m.    15,000
KWDQ-FM    102.3 FM    Woodward, OK    Mondays, 7 p.m.    12,500
KBDN-FM    96.5 FM    Coos Bay, OR    Sat. & Sunday, 7 p.m.    50,000
KLOO-FM    106.1 FM    Portland/Eugene, OR    Sun., 6 p.m./Tues., 7 p.m.    35,000
WWEC-FM    88.3 FM    Lancaster, PA     Saturdays, 10 p.m.    10,500
WPAM-AM    1450 AM    Pottsville, PA    Sundays, 10 a.m.    20,000
KYBB-FM    102.7 FM    Sioux Falls, SD    Sundays, 6 p.m.    39,000
WRJB-FM    95.9 FM    Camden, TN    Sundays, 1 p.m.    25,000
WFIV-FM    105.3 FM    Knoxville, TN    Sundays, 10 p.m.    48,000
WCPI-FM    91.3 FM    Mc Minnville, TN    Thursdays, 6 p.m.    10,000
KEYJ-AM/FM    107.9 FM/1560 AM    Abilene, TX    Sundays, 5 p.m.    21,500
KEEP-FM    98.3 FM    Bandera, TX    Fridays, 7 p.m.    10,500
KNRG-FM    92.3 FM    Columbus, TX    Sundays, 10 p.m.    11,500
KBSO-FM    94.7 FM    Corpus Christi, TX    Sun. 9 a.m./Sat. 2 a.m.    60,000
Music Café Radio    Cable    Dalhart/North Texas    Mondays, 9 p.m.    8,000
KFAN-FM    107.9 FM    San Antonio, TX    Fridays, 7 p.m.    18,500
KCUB-FM    98.5 & 107.9 FM    West Central TX    Sundays, 6 p.m.    50,000
KPND-FM    95.3 FM    Spokane, WA / North. ID    Sundays, 6 p.m.    40,000
WBSD-FM    89.1 FM    Burlington, WI    Tuesdays, 10 p.m.    13,000
WWYO-AM    970 AM    Bluefield/Pineville, WV    Fridays, 3 p.m.    9,000
KMTN-FM    96.9 FM    Jackson, WY    Sundays, 1 p.m.    21,500
WMNG-FM    104.9 FM    St. Croix, Virgin Islands    Sundays, 10 a.m.    25,000
WIUJ-FM    102.9 FM    St. Thomas, Virgin Islands    Sundays, 11 a.m.    50,000
KGUM-FM    105.1 FM    Agana, Guam    Sundays, 6 p.m.    35,000
KRSI-FM    97.9 FM    Saipan, Mariana Islands    Sundays, 6 p.m.    18,000
CKX-FM    96.1 FM    Brandon, MB, Canada    Sundays, 8 p.m.    25,000
CHMR-FM    93.5 FM    St. John’s, NL, Canada    Wednesdays, 1 p.m.    12,500
CJMQ-FM    88.9 FM    Montreal, Quebec, Canada    Thursdays, 2 p.m.    38,000
PT Radio 1ZZ    88.1 & 107.7 FM    New Zealand            Sat., 1 p.m. / Sun., 5 p.m.       5,000
Studio One FM    91.4 FM    Dhahran, Saudi Arabia    Sundays, 9 p.m.    3,000
rootsmusicreport.com    (Worldwide)    24/7    N/A
pennspeakradio.com    (Worldwide)    Sun., 3 p.m./Mon. 7 p.m. ET    N/A
radiofreephoenix.com    (Worldwide)    Saturdays, 7 p.m. MTN.    N/A