Publisher's Synopsis
The STRINGS of LIFE MEMOIRS of the PENTECOSTAL STRING BAND is a real life story of a southern gospel music band. Their exploits and adventures are recounted in this memoir of their personal stories. During the 1950's this small band of six traveled throughout the Carolinas and Georgia spreading the gospel message in song. The adult men band members were all full time textile mill workers and were accompanied by two young daughters of one of the men members. They performed every Saturday and Sunday at various venues for over a decade of the band's existence. Their performances included their own radio program, area churches, regional singings, municipal gatherings, and a brief television program. The band's performances and travels as told by the remaining band members reveal much of the culture and history of the life in rural South Carolina during the 50's. The story is told from the perspective of the band members and their families relating a personal side of their exploits and lives. The band members exhibited a strong Christian faith which led to the formation of the band. Each band member's life was interwoven with another by God's providence to create this instrument for telling the good news in song. The story narrates the individual life of the integral players and how they were brought together for a season to produce gospel music. As each story is told the weave of lives is blended together to reveal the creation of the band. The progression of the story then sets about recounting their adventures as they travel throughout the region. Their stories relate the setting of rural textile mill life and the culture of that era. As their personal memories are explored much is also revealed about their personal beliefs and the influences of the band's tenure together. The memoir continues through the disbanding of the group and the impact of their time together on their current lives and the legacy built for their children. This story is a personal story. The remaining band members are family or very close friends to one another and to the author. It is a story of a part of their lives in a bye gone era which reaches into their current lives as family and friends. It is a story of Christian faith and obedience and its impact on the lives of the participants. It is a story which reveals the work of God in the life of an individual and how each is blended with another to reveal His purpose. This recounting of these personal reflections set in the framework of a southern gospel band decades ago also gives insight to the way of life in rural mill towns in the south. Their stories reflect the culture, religion, and music of that time period. The life of a textile mill worker in 1950 South Carolina was one of hardship and meager lifestyle. The southern gospel music of the time served to encourage the listeners as they faced their daily struggles. Amidst the long hours of grueling labor, these men and women were able to find joy and comfort in their faith renewed by the songs they sang. The Strings of Life includes personal stories and direct quotes from the remaining four band members and their families. There are personal photographs available of the band, their families, and the radio studio. The author's wife, her sister, their dad, and a very close friend are the band members the author was fortunate to interview to hear their story. This work is a collated collection of their personal stories told in a manner that reveals life in the rural south during the 1950's.
