Rev. Jerry T. Yates hails from the Ashe County community of Fleetwood, in the beautiful, Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, just 15 minutes from one of, if not THE best flatpickers and "Travis Style" fingerpicking guitarists in the world, Doc Watson. However, Jerry’s family moved to Fairburn, GA in 1961, when his father took a job with the U. S. Post Office, as a mail carrier, setting up and starting the very first city mail route, in the City of Fairburn.
Jerry's early musical influences were Elvis, Johnny Cash, Lightnin' Hopkins, and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. A seventh grade class talent show was Jerry's first public performance, playing his guitar and singing, "On the Wings of a Dove". He played guitar and sang in numerous rock bands throughout high school , and after graduation in 1970, Jerry embarked on a career in radio broadcasting as a DJ, news director, and music director. He continued to perform in several rock and country bands, playing a circuit of honky tonks and juke joints around the south, and later he even became a popular Elvis impersonator. However, things began to change after he was saved in 1975.
In December 1978, while alone at home, watching television, Jerry heard, what he firmly believes was, the audible voice of God say, "I want you to preach." Though initially somewhat rattled, he promptly obeyed, and on New Year's Day, of the year 1979, Jerry held the first practice session of his newly formed Contemporary/Christian Country band, "Chosen Vessels," and later, the Southern Rock/Rockabilly Gospel band, "Jerry Yates and Rock Solid Revival." Jerry and RSR received several nominations for "Band of the Year" from the Country Gospel Music Guild, and the band also released a CD called, "I Got Saved in a Chevrolet". The title track of the CD was released as a single, and it went to # 23 on the CGMG Radio charts. However, as time went by, Jerry began to sense the Holy Spirit leading him toward a solo career, as a Christian singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist, with a more Country Blues and Rockabilly style. So in April, of 2003, he made the change.
As a solo artist, Jerry has been nominated for the "New Male Vocalist of the Year" and the "Trailblazer" awards; he received the International Country Gospel Music Association's "New Male Vocalist of the Year Award from Georgia", and in November 2008, Jerry was named the winner of the "2008 Roots Music Association Gospel Artist of the Year Award". Jerry said, "But an even greater act of God's grace, is the fact that Ricky Skaggs and the Blind Boys of Alabama were nominated for the same award, in the same category as me! So now, tell me how that is possible, considering the magnitude of talent and fame, held by them! It ain't possible! God is still in the Doing the Impossible business!"
Jerry writes most of his own songs, several of which have reached various Christian country and country gospel radio charts. One of his releases, "There's Peace from the Lord" debuted at number 14 on the Roots Music Report's Roots Gospel chart and stayed in the top 30 for more than 54 weeks. It was also number one for two months in a row, on the Georgia Roots Radio Airplay chart.
Jerry's radio promotions are provided by RhonBob Promotions, in Kodak, TN. (www.rhonbob.com)
"I know that all this hype and stuff about reaching charts and winning awards, and all the press releases and promotions and so forth, seems to be a necessity, if a person hopes to get any work in this business. But the fact is that it is a ministry, a calling, and I pray that I never lose sight of the real goal, the main goal, which is getting people into God's kingdom, the only way they can get there; through Jesus Christ. And I hope I can somehow encourage or help lift the spirits of those, who already belong," Yates said.
Jerry T. Yates Ministries is based in Newnan, GA., where Jerry and his wife Karen, also make their home.
If you are interested in booking Jerry for a concert at your Church, Special Event, or any type of gathering, he usually does not charge a flat rate. He would however, like a Love Offering to be received. Jerry will then give the Church 10% of what he gets. He would love to play and sing at your next event, meeting, or at a future worship service. He also really enjoys playing at Coffeehouses, House Concerts, Country Fairs, Festivals, Family reunions, or anywhere people are gathered or can gather. Jerry can be contacted at (770) 252-9176 or by email at jkyates@bellsouth.net.
