Bellamy Brothers Share Their Faith on Gospel CD

There's always been a connection between country and gospel music, and in recent years numerous country artists have recorded top-selling gospel CDs, among them Alan Jackson, Alabama and Brenda Lee. One of the most unique collections is The Bellamy Brothers' release 'Jesus is Coming,' which earned the veteran duo their first Dove Award nominations from the Gospel Music Association, rave reviews from numerous publications, and a recent performance at Nashville's famed Cowboy Church, a Sunday worship service broadcast over XM satellite radio.

"We were very pleasantly surprised by the nominations and the album's acceptance," David Bellamy tells The Boot. "We tried to make it musically original and lyrically honest."

Honesty and originality have long been hallmarks of the Bellamys' music throughout a career that has spanned more than 30 years. Curb Records recently released 'Number One Hits,' a greatest hits collection featuring such Bellamy classics as 'Redneck Girl,' 'Sugar Daddy,' 'For All the Wrong Reasons,' 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold it Against Me,' 'Old Hippie,' 'I Need More of You,' and 'Let Your Love Flow.'

Most country artists who have recorded gospel albums chose to revive classic hymns, but the Bellamys' album features original songs. "Our whole career we've made sure we didn't do what everybody else was doing," says David. "We wanted to make sure it was all original songs because with gospel there are only so many hymns to pick from."

The title track explores what Jesus would think about mankind if he returned today, and the song's hook line isn't what you'd expect to hear in a conventional gospel song: "Jesus is coming and boy is he pissed."

"Our dad told us never to touch politics or religion, but here we are," Howard Bellamy says. "I'm sure there's going to be some controversy about it, but hopefully the broader-minded audience will really see the sincerity of it."

Growing up in Florida, the Bellamys have fond memories of singing in church, but they were also known to hang out in the local clubs. "That's the way we were raised," says Howard. "We'd frolic with our dad's musician buddies on Saturday night and be in church singing Sunday morning. That's the way we grew up and I think there are a lot of people like that. It doesn't mean they're not devout Christians; it just means they have other outlets in their life. It doesn't mean they aren't believers. I think a lot of people are like that -- what we call outlaw Christians."

If some people see them as outlaws, David thinks they're in good company. "Jesus was the biggest renegade," he says. "He was the original nonconformist."

The Bellamys plan to record another gospel project and are currently writing new songs. They are also working on a book about their family and they continue to tour relentlessly, having just got back from another European tour.

"Touring and performing are really important to staying vital as entertainers," says David. "We're really fortunate that we've been able to tour countries all over the world for 33 years. The feedback from the live audience is something that's really valuable and we learn something from every performance. Of course there is nothing wrong with the beach and a margarita now and then."

Click here to buy the Bellamy Brothers' 'Jesus Is Coming' album