Here is a video, cover of a Dylan tune of The Rev and some fine players… Enjoy

The Rev, Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy, Eric Stark, Josh Meyers and Others

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

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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

I received this story a couple of days ago, “Just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your concert last night!  We heard about it from a co-worker and friend of mine that is a member of the church.” Somebody invited a friend to a concert and they were ministered to. That’s how it works, the kingdom at its essence is a relationship. Someone tells the story, someone hears it and miracles happen.

We are so thankful for your help, without it we would not be able to do all that we do. We are always pressing on and I wanted to share what is about to happen and ask for your help if you’re able.

We have in front of us a huge opportunity. This opportunity will allow more people to hear our story than ever before and what that means is more people will hear the gospel and know Jesus, why? Because they will know who I am and hear our story. But I need a whole lot of help to make this happen.

So, we are hiring a professional storyteller to help us, Lynn McCain president of McCain & Associates a Nashville based public relations firm whose forte is telling stories. She has done it for many years and is considered by many to be one of the best storytellers in the music industry. This is a huge step of faith for us but after prayer, Sherri and I both feel it is the right time for us to take this step. But we need your help.

The campaign will start February 2nd and run for six months. The monthly cost of the campaign will be $3,000.00 per month. OUCH, I know it is a lot of money but how much is one family worth, one couple that hears our story and their marriage is restored, one life that is saved?

Here is a link to our on-line contribution form. If you would like your contribution set up on a monthly debit system please email my assistant Amanda jatrux AT gmail.com. Look it over, pray, give and help tell the story.

For the harvest,

Jimmie

Well in a few days I’m going to be on TV!!!! On February 5, the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will start airing the show I am on “Love Marriage & Stinking Thinking”. It comes on a little late for us central time zone folks 11:30 PM every Thursday. They tell me that there is a possibility that they will re-broadcast it on TBN the following day, when I know for sure I will let you know.

I don’t have exact details of when but I do know the show is also airing on Sky Angel, which I think is part of the DISH Network on Tuesday’s, I think 6:30 PM CST.

We watched a couple of the shows recently and MAN do they ROCK… Mark Gungor is one funny dude with something to say, Nancy Stafford is one fine lady and the band and I hold nothing back. For the first thirteen weeks my band is Dave Autry on drums, Denny Autry, Dave’s Dad on keys, Landy Ewing on bass and Joe McGlohn aka “Smokin’ Joe”.

The format of the show is like a Letterman/Leno kind of a talk show with a live band. For the first thirteen shows there are no guests just us, Mark & Nancy. The open song or theme song for the show is “Lord Make Us Funky” from “The Electric Rev.” the closing song while the audience dances, that’s right a bunch of Christians dancing to “I Love My Baby” from RED. In about half of the shows we do a song or part of a song. Some of them are, Bad Religion, Three Chords, When the Blues Come, and others.

I know that the content of each show will help marriages in a big way. I also know that some of the “super spiritual” may get all riled up but hey. A pastor friend of mine taught me this saying “let the dogs bark cause the train rolls on”.

Email me if you get to see the show….

Peace,
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

December 20th Sherri and I are going to party and we want you to come. It will be our 32nd anniversary and we would love for you to be with us as we celebrate. The event will be at Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS and will start at 5:00 PM make sure and note the start time. We will also be filming a LIVE DVD of the Christmas concert that evening that will include tunes from Man! It’s Christmas, The Electric Rev. and some new songs as well.

It would be wonderful if you could come and hang with our family and us as we celebrate our anniversary. No presents necessary just your presence is requested.