LATEST NEWS: (Dec, 2009) Our latest single, Jesus Died Like A Man has climbed to number 57 on the Christian Voice Magazine's Top 100 Chart for Feb 2010 & is still climbing! Please continue calling your local SG station & requesting this song! Thanks to all of our friends & fans, it debuted at Number 1 on the Gospel Music Times Top 100 Chart & remained there for 4 consecutive weeks in June 2009! Thanks SO much for voting for JESUS DIED LIKE A A MAN, as well as our other singles at http://gospelmusictimes.com/ChartVote.aspx !
CHARLOTTE...our bus!
Martha (Goodwin) Drake (Lead Vocals / Songwriter-Poca, WV) began singing at the age of 4, she was saved at the age of 12. At the age of 14, on a family vacation to Fort Mill, SC, Martha was privilaged to meet Howard & Vestal Goodman. Howard impressed upon Martha that it was great to have vocal talent, but stressed the importance of writing original songs. This advice weighed heavily upon Martha's mind... The following year she wrote & recorded one of her first songs, entitled "Going Home Now". This song was voted number 1 song in the tri-state for 6 weeks by WXIT radio in Charleston. From that time to present Martha has penned numerous songs that The Goodwins themselves have recorded & have also been recorded by some of the biggest names in the industry. She is credited with songs like, "That's My Boy", "Jesus Died Like A Man", "24/7" etc. She is the primary source for the group's material.
Natasha Blethen (Soprano Vocals-Marmet, WV) is the newest addition to the group. She has recently joined the group to fill the Soprano position. She has many years of experience in singing Southern Gospel music & considers it one of her greatest joys. She resides in Marmet, WV with her husband, Adam & her dog, Polly.
John Goodwin (Baritone Vocals-Scott Depot, WV) has an extensive history in music. John was in all state orchestra in high school, as well as being given scholarships to further pursue his musical endeavors. John graduated high school & pursued the family path instead. His love of music was handed down to his daughter Martha, & the two would spend hours singing with nothing more than an acoustic guitar. John was saved in 1982 & later led many members of his family to the Lord. His love for the Lord has harmoniously joined with his love of music.
Ron Hamilton (Bass Vocals-Bentree, WV) joined the group several months back to initially fill an opening in the group until a permanant replacement for the soprano was found. After the position was filled, Ron has remained with the group as their bass singer. Ron has several years of experience in singing with various Southern Gospel groups as well as promoting Southern Gospel concerts. He makes his home in Bentree WV where he resides with his wife.
Katie Drake (Background vocals-Poca, WV) is the newest addition to the group. Katie is the daughter of lead singer/songwriter, Martha Drake & sound technician, Alfred Drake. She has one brother named Brandon. She is 4 years old, but no stranger to the stage! She has been singing with the group for several months & rivals her Momma's singing ability! Be sure to pay close attention to this talented, young singer at The Goodwins next concert appearance, she is SURE to delight!
Justin Belcher (Piano-Gauley Bridge, WV) is also a new addition to the group He has enhanced the sound of The Goodwins with his superb pianist abilities. He makes his home in Gauley Bridge, WV.
Alfred Drake (Sound Technician-Poca, WV) is the sound technician for The Goodwins. He also occasionally drives the bus! He is husband to Martha Drake.
Brandon Drake (Equipment / Drums-Poca, WV) is the son of lead singer, Martha Drake & sound technician, Alfred Drake & brother to Katie Drake. He is in charge of the set up of the equipment & the product table. He is training to be the drummer for the group & is also an expert at keeping everyone laughing!
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Ron Hamilton also travels with The Goodwins doing whatever is required of him! Ron is currently filling in as a vocalist with The Goodwins until a full time replacement is found to fill the open position in the group. He also helps with the product table & equipment.
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Influences
The Hinsons, The Paynes, The Happy Goodmans, etc. We are heavily influenced by family groups. We can't get enough of pure family harmony!
Sounds Like
Our musical style is derived from a variety of sources... Traditional, Campmeeting, Southern & even Country Gospel. All of our material is written by lead singer, Martha Drake (Goodwin-Ketron) With all original material, The Goodwins have developed a sound that is both unique and inspiring!
The Goodwins have been spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through song since 1982. The current group members are John Goodwin (Baritone vocals), daughter, Martha Drake (Lead vocals / songwriter), Natasha Blethen (Soprano Vocals), Martha's 4 year old daughter, Katie Drake (Vocals), Ron Hamilton (Bass Vocals), Brandon Drake (Drums), Justin Belcher (Piano) & Martha's husband, Alfred Drake, the group's sound technician.
The father - daughter duo began singing together in 1974 when Martha was just 4 years old. They started with nothing more than an acoustic guitar. Through the years they added other members to their family group which included John's father & brother. In 1982 John gave his life to the Lord. Later that same year, John was instrumental in leading his father, brother & daughter, Martha to the Lord. It was then that the ordinary family group was transformed into The Goodwins that audiences know today. After the death of baritone singer, Brian Ketron, in 2000, The Goodwins temporarily ended their traveling. The current group was reformed 7 years later & The Goodwins returned to the road, ready for many years to come! They have themselves written numerous songs that have been on the national charts & were featured in an article in Singing News Magazine in August, 1997. The Goodwins previous charting singles include: "That's My Boy", "Amen Corner", "The Walk" & more recently "24/7" (Number 26, Gospel Music Times Top 40 Chart - Feb 2009) Their latest single, "Jesus Died Like A Man" gave the group their first number 1 song when it debuted at number 1 on The Gospel Music Times Top 100 chart (the industry's ONLY 100% FAN voted chart - May 30, 2009) & remained there for 4 consecutive weeks! In August 2009, the song debuted on the Christian Voice Magazine's Top 100 chart & is currently number 57 on that chart for Feb 2010.
Over the years, The Goodwins have shared the stage with such artists as The Freemans, The Singing Cookes, The Paynes (Mike Payne), The Kingsmen, Gold City, John Lanier etc. They have performed in such venues as Heritage USA (PTL Club) and have shared services with such speakers as internationally known minister, Jack Van Impe. Martha is an accomplished songwriter with many recorded songs to her credit. She is credited with such songs as, "That's My Boy"(recorded by The Wilburns and more recently Cheryl Paige Edelmann), "Amen Corner", "The Walk", "24/7", "Jesus Died Like A Man" & many, many others. Some of today's most popular artists have recorded her songs. Their most recent projects to date include: "He gave Up Heaven" (1997, Eddie Crook Co), "The Walk" (1999, Eddie Crook Co) & their newest MorningStar Signature project, "Reflections". This new project contains all original material mostly penned by Martha. The Goodwins goals are to see souls saved & to see Christians uplifted. The Goodwins share songs, testimonies, laughter & tears with every congregation. They bring an energy to every performance that comes from a true love of what they do and the Savior that called them to do it. Their dynamic vocal ability combined with their unique songs assure a performance which brings something for every one! For booking information contact: Martha Drake (304) 419-2695 or John Goodwin (304) 419-0000 Please check our site frequently as we will be providing many additional updates in regards to our ministry!
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Click here for The Goodwins COMPLETE 2009-2010 Schedule!
glitter-graphics.com.. glitter-graphics.com.. glitter-graphics.com. glitter-graphics.com.. The greatest gift ever given Did not come from a store It was not given for a birthday But no gift has ever meant more The greatest gift ever given Was a gift of pure love No greater gift will ever be received Because this gift came from above The greatest gift ever given Was paid for at the highest price To you for your salvation The Gift of Jesus Christ(THANK YOU JESUS,YOUR THE BEST GIFT EVER)AND I WANT TO SHARE YOU WITH THE WHOLE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANK YOU JESUS,FOR THE GIFT OF FRIENDS YOU PUT IN MY LIFE,MY FRIEND HAVE A BLESS HAPPY HOLIDAY NOW AND FOREVER,GOD LOVES YOU AND I LOVE YOU TOMERRY CHRISTMAS
“A DAY WITH FAMILY, A DAY WITH FRIENDS; A DAY OF MEMORIES THAT WILL NEVER, EVER END. A DAY OF THANKFULNESS TO GOD UP ABOVE, FOR ALL OF HIS BLESSINGS THAT HE SENDS DOWN WITH LOVE. A DAY TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE NOT HERE, THANKFUL FOR THE TIME WE HAD AND THE MEMORIES SO DEAR. THANKFUL FOR OUR FREEDOM AND THE ONES WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES, LAYING DOWN FREELY TO BECOME A SACRIFICE. A DAY TO PRAY FOR OTHERS THAT HAVE NO FOOD TO EAT, NO PLACE TO LAY THEIR HEAD EACH NIGHT; NO SHOES UP ON THEIR FEET. BUT MOSTLY WE ARE THANKFUL FOR A SMALL LONELY HILL AND A MAN NAMED JESUS CHRIST LIKE A SHEEP HE WAS KILLED. SO SINNERS SUCH AS YOU AND I COULD FOREVER BE SAVED; YES THIS IS WHAT I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR ON THIS GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY!”
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING Y’ALL, FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!
I wanted to Thank All that critiqued my new page and gave your suggestions. I have implemented them and would love to get you to critique it again. This page is very important in Helping Us to Continue to Feed Hungry Americans.
I would also like to request that you share this site with your family, friends and associates.
We will have many more helpful things like vegetable plants for sale, trees, Catawba Trees, to help us raise money to feed the hungry.
Please keep us bookmarked or saved as favorite places for future reference.
Hey y'all , see I can talk southern.....lol. Gods blessings to you all. I pray that your cup overflows with the things of God. Love your music. Oh, sign this petition and it will hopefully keep the government from getting envolved with NATIONAL HEALTH CARE..... Blessings Craig
Hey guys, glad to see the success of your radio single. I couldnt think of anyone who is more deserving. God bless you and your family, and please never stop making music to worship and praise the Lord with. Craig
THANKS FOR THE ADD!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!!! WE ARE GOING TO THE HIGHWAYS AND BIWAYS SINGING PRAISES TO OUR LORD!! PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.thetrophiesofgrace.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS 
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING Y’ALL, FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!
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