Three Bridges - In Conversation | Absolutely Gospel Music

Three Bridges - In Conversation

I recently had the opportunity to catch Three Bridges in concert and chat with them about their ministry. Three Bridges consists of long-time member Elliott McCoy and newcomers, Shannon Smith and Jeremie Hudson. Although Shannon and Jeremie are fairly new with Three Bridges, they both previously sang with the Imperials, so they are not strangers to gospel music. I thought I would share what they had to say….

Carol Lawson: Tell me about the background of the group – where from, how started, how long together?

Three Bridges: Elliott started Three Bridges in late 2001 with a love for the ministry of gospel music. It has taken a tremendous amount of work but, when you love what you are doing, it becomes a labor of love! They say timing is everything. Well, when I started the group I began to look for a great song. I wanted a song that we could release to radio with the hope of getting attention for a new group. I was singing in the choir at my home church, Cornerstone Church in Nashville, TN, and on July 4th, 2001 I heard a girl in the choir sing a song and she told me her Mom and Step-dad wrote the song. I asked if the song had ever been recorded and she said no. It had been pitched to over 200 artists but not recorded. The song is about praying for the President of our country. I told her I was starting a new group and wanted the song to be our first. I believed the Lord had spoken to my heart about that song even though 200 artists had turned it down. In August, 2001, I hired a producer to create a song track and told him that I wanted the track to sound like a classic. We all remember what happened the next month on September 11, 2001. I was thinking the Lord has given me a song about praying for the leader of our country, a song entitled “Dear Captain”. We went into the studio, recorded the song and it launched the group to national attention. The current configuration of the group has been together for almost 14 months.

CL: Where did the group name Three Bridges come from?

TB: In coming up with a name for the group, we wanted it to be something new and fresh. We like the word “bridge” because we have bridged our life to Christ and we want to be a bridge to Christ for others. Since we have “three” members, why not Three Bridges? As our dear friend and producer, Rick Sandidge of Mark Five Records says “It’s the group that makes the name and not the name that makes the group”.

CL: All groups have road stories, what are some of Three Bridges funny or embarrassing moments?

Elliott McCoy: Too many to list! When you travel on a bus together like we do, a lot of things can and will happen….like going to the wrong church or getting stuck in a ditch at the Alabama Chocolate Festival or getting pulled over by a police just to see what country music star is on the bus or driving in a winter snow blizzard.

Shannon Smith: Well, are we talking about funny stories, funny smells or funny people? Since Elliott brought it up, on my second trip with the group, we were in Rainbow City, AL to sing for the Chocolate Festival. Elliott was driving the bus down some really narrow roads that were close to the venue and at the same time was talking on the phone. We came to a T in the road and Elliott started to make a right turn but there was quite a deep ditch on our right hand side. I said, “Elliott, I don’t think you can make this turn” and no sooner did I say that than we heard a thud and we were in that deep ditch. Thanks to a very efficient officer and a very generous tow truck operator, we were out of the ditch and parked safely at the concert venue about 30 minutes later. Moral of the story – every group needs a full time bus driver!

Jeremie Hudson: This last weekend out, two out of the three of us basically lost our voices! Don’t know if that’s funny, embarrassing or just scary. Elliott is funny every week!!

CL: What should people expect when they come to see Three Bridges in concert?

EM: A relaxing evening with a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. A wide variety of music and most of all, they should expect to meet Jesus.

SS: The joy of the Lord; our excitement about knowing Jesus personally; our passion for His Word whether spoken or sung; His presence; our interest in meeting them and hopefully some great music!

JH: High energy, laughter, tears, and The Word in song and word. Something different, we seem not to be very normal (ha-ha) as Southern Gospel groups go.

CL: What do you want the people to leave from the concert with?

EM: All of our merchandise! Have you seen our new t-shirt? LOL! If they know Jesus, we want them to leave refreshed, uplifted and encouraged. If they don’t know Jesus, we want to introduce them to Him.

SS: The comfort, strength and encouragement that come from being in the presence of Jesus, awareness that God is good, He loves them and desires to have a personal relationship with them.

JH: Salvation, if they do not know the Lord and a new desire and determination to apply the Word to their life. Excitement…and OUR CD’S!!

CL: Tell me about your latest project, chart song, past chart songs.

TB: Our latest project is entitled “Refined”. Our latest radio single “David” and is moving up the charts. It is #27 on the Singing News chart for the month of July and will be #19 in August. Our new single will be “Satan and Grandma”. All 15 of our radio singles have been in the top 40 on the Southern Gospel music charts, including seven top 10’s and three #1’s….”Cooling Water”, “In The Sky” and “A Little Song Coming On”. Our new Live DVD will be coming out soon and we are currently in the studio working on two brand new projects one of which is a Christmas CD.

CL: Any big events – cruises, big sings, etc. that Three Bridges are on this year?

TB: A new TV show on TBN this fall called “Country Campmeeting”, Holy Land trip in November and we will go on a cruise to the Bahamas in February, 2012.

CL: What about your website and booking information?

TB: You can visit our website at http://www.threebridges.net to find out more information on us, our tour schedule, contact information, media, see photo gallery with pictures, latest news and our store where you can purchase our merchandise. For bookings, you can contact Beckie Simmons Agency at http://www.bsaworld.com.

CL: What is the family history or backgrounds for each of you?

EM: Both sets of my grandparents were godly people and very active in their churches. They all sang in church as well and influenced me heavily in my desire to be involved in music.

SS: My grandfather and grandmother were pastors, my dad is a pastor and both of my siblings are pastors. I actually served as a senior pastor for a short time and have also served in various pastoral roles. In the 1960’s my parents were itinerant singing/preaching evangelists and actually recorded one album. My mother is an exceptional musician and has always directed the music in our churches. Our family sang special music together in church and we were always very active in our church and school music programs. I sang my first solo in church at age 5 and have always had a love for singing. I started formal vocal lessons at age 14 and eventually majored in Vocal Performance at the University of South Carolina. My wife, Kathryn, has a degree in music and has a beautiful voice. When I was doing solo ministry, she traveled with me and we did a few duets as part of the concerts. Both of my children, Nic and Tori, have begun to show a serious interest in music in the past few years and are playing instruments. I was doing some solo concerts just before I joined Three Bridges and they joined me on stage with guitar and keyboard. They dream and pray about starting their own band.

JH: My family has been in music all our lives. My dad, Harold Hudson, sang professionally for about 13 years, he has an amazing baritone voice. Then he went into local church music. I learned most of my trade in his choirs. My mom sang a lot, she sounds like Karen Carpenter. My wife, Amanda, is a great singer. She has a degree in music from Samford University. Now both boys, Mike and Brant, do music at church and on stage in Broadway productions in Birmingham. Emma, my 4 year old, may beat us all!

Well, the guys have managed to pack up the equipment and product table and are now more than ready to board the bus and head home. Whenever you hear of Three Bridges being within driving distance of you, go and see them in concert. I promise you, you will be glad that you did!