David Parmley

If you’re the type who cringes at the thought of hardcore bluegrass gospel music—you know, the kind where they’re singing lines about being bathed in the blood of the lamb, and songs with titles like “The Gloryland Way” and “A Soul Winner for Jesus"—you might as well stop reading right now. If, however, you love the uplifting sound of superlatively played banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle and mandolin, and spot-on vocal harmonies singing that good ol’ church music, you’ll love Church House Hymns. Lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist David Parmley, a founding member of long-lived, influential bluegrass band the Bluegrass Cardinals, leads his impeccable group—Randy Graham on tenor vocals and mandolin, Dale Perry on baritone vocals and banjo, fiddler Ron Stewart and acoustic bassist Kyle Perkins—through 12 gospel classics. It’s solid throughout, capped off with the final song, “There Is a Fountain,” a shining, a capella gem that shows off the exceptional vocal talents of Parmley, Graham and Perry. Glory!