Isaacs, The

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THE ISAACS

  • From La Follete, Tennessee.
  • 1988, formed by Joe Isaacs, his wife Lily and three children Ben, Becky and Sonya.
  • Lily was born in Germany after WW2. Her parents were Jewish survivors of the Holocaust.
  • 1998, Sonya toured with Vince Gill as a vocalist. During that time, Adam Steffey filled in on mandolin with the group.
  • 1998, album “Bridges” won the Dove Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year.
  • 1998, Joe and Lily were divorced and Joe began a solo career in music, recording several albums.
  • 1998, John Bowman (formerly with Doyle Lawson and Alison Krauss) joined the group, playing banjo, guitar and fiddle. He is married to Becky.
  • 2000, Adam Steffey playwas a member of the Isaacs for more than a year; left to re-join Mountain Heart.
  • 2001, Rickie Simpkins joined, playing fiddle. Stayed with the group for two years.
  • 2001, Became regulars on the Bill Gaither Homecoming Tour.
  • 2006, John Bowman retired from the group to teach at a private Christian school in LaFollette and to care for his (and Becky’s) children while the group is on the road. In 2010 he joined the Boxcars.
  • 2006, Kevin Haynie (banjo/guitar) and Jesse Stockman (fiddle) joined the group.
  • 2007, Sonya and Becky recorded with Dolly Parton.
  • 2007, Kevin Haynie left the band and was replaced by Troy Engle (banjo/guitar).
  • 2008, Sonya sang on Disney’s Hannah Montana movie soundtrack (starring Miley Cyrus).
  • 2020, The Isaacs were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
  • 2021, The Isaacs were invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry.

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