Southern Gospel History

l-r: Ethan, Susan, Aaron, Jeff, Austin

Group Members

John Whisnant, Sr. (1970-1990)
Betty Whisnant (1970-1990)
John Whisnant, Jr. (1970-1993)
Jeff Whisnant (1970-Present)
Susan Whisnant (1986-Present)
Curt Davis (199?-200?)
Aaron Hise (2001-Present)
Eric Ollis (2004-2011)
Austin Whisnant (2009-Present)
Ethan Whisnant (2004-Present)

The Whisnants (1970-Present)

History

John and Betty Whisnant formed a group billed as The John Whisnant Family in 1970 along with their seven-year-old son, John Jr. and six-year-old son, Jeff. The group was based in Morganton, North Carolina.

In 1986, The Whisnants shared the stage with evangelist and singer Roland Dry who, along with his wife Carol and daughter Susan, were billed as The Dry Family. Sparks flew, and Jeff and Susan began dating. Susan soon joined The John Whisnant Family, and married Jeff two years later in 1988. By 1990, the elder John Whisnant along with his wife Betty had passed the torch to the next generation, and the group name was shortened to The Whisnants.

The younger John Whisnant remained with The Whisnants until 1993 when he left the singing ministry to become pastor of New Perspective Community Church in Morganton. The following year, The Whisnant Family became owners of radio station WCIS-AM 760, also in Morganton, where John became the morning disc jockey in addition to his duties as a pastor.

Long-time member Aaron Hise joined The Whisnants in 2001. Hise is married to Suzanne Taylor of The Taylors. Pianist Eric Ollis joined the Whisnants in 2004 after a remarkable 22-year stint with the Dixie Melody Boys. He remained with the Whisnants until 2011. Jeff and Susan's son Ethan began appearing regularly on stage in 2004, followed by his brother Austin in 2009. Both brothers sing, but Austin's primary role is playing bass guitar.

In July 2001, The Whisnants had their first number one song on the Singing News monthly airplay chart with "Is Anything Too Hard For God?" Twelve more songs by the Whisnants rose to the number one spot over the next twelve years.

Discography

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1984 Gettin' Ready (New Morning Records/1450): Getting Ready Today; Small Lonely Hill; It's So Peaceful; Too Much To Gain; Everywhere I Go; Nothing Can Hold Me Here; Look For Me; City Limits Of Heaven; One Day Too Late; Children Go Where I Send Thee (Jeff Whisnant, John Whisnant Jr, Betty Whisnant, John Whisnant).

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1986 He Didn't Give Up (Harvest Records/HAR-1085): You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet; Do You Know That You Have Been Born Again; He Didn't Give Up; Leaving On Out; Delivered; Let The Praise Go To Calvary; Everything Will Be All Right; Look What's Waiting For Me; Just Like You; A Beautiful Life (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Betty Whisnant, John Whisnant Jr, John Whisnant).

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1988 We Win (Harvest Records/HAR-1137): We Win; Glory Divine; I Want To See Heaven; I Find A Fountain; I'm Getting Ready To Leave; Everything He Touched; When I Call His Name; He Touched Me (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, John Whisnant Jr, Betty Whisnant, John Whisnant).

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1989 Family Portrait (Charity Records/CHR120): He'll Hold My Hand; The Crowd; They're Not Gone; Servant's Heart; When I Hear That Trumpet Sound; When It All Winds Up; Those Mighty Hands; Farther Along; I Won't Turn Back; Was Nots.

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1990 In Fine Fashion (Charity Records/CHR128): When He Comes; Walkin' In The Middle; Love Bigger Than Heaven; Stand Your Ground; Greatest Hero; Drink From Him; He Thought We Were Worth Calvary; Great Day To Fly; I've Got A Feeling; I've Been Touched (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, John Whisnant, Betty Whisnant).

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1992 With Wings (Charity Records/CHR142): Fly Away With You; Homesick Feeling; Leaving Here With Everything; The Tallest I Ever Felt; When The Blood Was Applied; Rain And Shine; Mercy's Child; We Have A Savior; Heaven's Expecting Me; My Sins Drove The Nails (John Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Jeff Whisnant).

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1994 Changing Times (Sonlite Records/SON156): Greetings; Get Out Of The Boat; Homecoming; Retirement Plan; Gathering Flowers; Grand Opening; I Just Came To Talk With You Lord; I'm Looking For The Savior; Greatest Miracle; I Love To Tell The Story (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Curt Davis).

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1996 Genuine Love (Sonlite Records/SON173): He's Still God; When I Walk Through The Valley; Would It Be Allright With You; What A Hallelujah Morning; Genuine Love; Some Glorious Day; My Sins Are Gone; Looking For A Miracle; One More Reason; Tis So Sweet; When He Comes; Walkin In The Middle; Love Bigger Than Heaven; Stand Your Ground; Greatest Hero; Drink From Him; He Thought We Were Worth Calvary; Great Day To Fly; I've Got A Feeling I've Been Touched.

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1997 Still Standing (United Independent Artists/UIA-1297): Someday I Know; I'll Stand For The Lord; The Least Of These; When I Can't See; Best For The Worst; What A Happy Time; Thy Hand In Mine; His Grace Is Sufficient; Spirit Of The Main Guest; Yes It's Raining; Pick Up The Pieces (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Curt Davis).

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1999 A Glimpse Of Grace (United Independent Artists/UIA1199): I Want To See Jesus; They That Wait; Is Anything Too Hard For God; Someday; His Blood Says It All; He's Living Today; A Fresh Glimpse Of Calvary; The Day Will Come; Just Stand; I'll Say Thanks (Curt Davis, Susan Whisnant, Jeff Whisnant).

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2001 Heritage Collection Volume 1 (United Independent Artists/UIA0301): So Many Reasons; Reunion In Heaven; Everything Will Be Just Right; Blessed Assurance; I Believe He�s Coming Back; The Longer I Serve Him; Press Along To Gloryland; Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus; Thanks God I�m Free; I�m Happy In The Lord Anyway; Homesick Feeling; When The Blood Was Applied; Mercy�s Child; Retirement Plan; Greatest Miracle; Homecoming; My Sins Are Gone; Lookin� For A Miracle; Greatest Hero; Love Bigger Than Heaven.

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2001 Anthem Of Praise (United Independent Artists/UIA1101): As Faithful As You; After The Cross Came Down; Woke Up This Morning; What You Took From Me; Land Of The Free; The Next Time You See Me; I�ll Tell Jesus; Get Out Of The Boat; Until I�ve Seen The Savior; Song Of The Redeemed; Under Grace.

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2003 Joy (United Independent Artists/UIA-0803): What The Lord Has Done For Me; What A Blessed Joy; Even In The Valley; I�ll Never Walk Away; Christians Won�t Burn; God�s Bigger Than That; I Have Seen The Lord; I Like it All; Until I Kneel; Lord Willing And The Church Don�t Rise; Nail It To The Cross.

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2004 Jesus Is Born Today (United Independent Artists): Jesus Is Born Today; Christmas Cradle; Very Merry Christmas; White Christmas; New Born King; Even Then; Come On Ring Those Bells; Kids Medley: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer/Frosty The Snowman; Sweet Baby Jesus; Angels We Have Heard On High; A Christmas Song; Christmas Times A Comin'; Jesus Is Born Today )Reprise).

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2005 New Day Dawning (United Independent Artists/UIA-0805): When The Morning Breaks; He Left It All; A Greater Yes; New Day Dawning; Nevertheless; Thank You Says It Best; Heaven's Lamb; When I Rested In The Lord; I Wonder If You Know; Grand Opening Soon; He Knows My Name; Thank God For Grace (Aaron Hise, Eric Ollis, Susan Whisnant, Jeff Whisnant).

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2007 Promises (United Independent Artists/UIA-0707): What Can I Do For You; He Bled, He Died, He Rose; The Best That I Could Do; Voice Of Falling Tears; The Light Of The Lamb; Be Not Afraid; He Never Even Looked At The Man; There Is; He Is Guiding Me; The Past Is A Promise; I Must Touch Jesus; I'll Live In Glory (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Aaron Hise, Eric Ollis).

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2008 The Best Of The Whisnants - Volume 2 (United Independent Artists/UIA-0308): Even In The Valley; Thank God I'm Free; Nail It To The Cross; I'll Stand For The Lord; The Day Will Come; The Next Time That You See Me; Is Anything Too Hard For God; What You Took From Me; I Believe He's Coming Back; Special Live Cut's By "The Wiz Kids": Victory In Jesus; Wait On The Lord (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Aaron Hise, Eric Ollis).

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2009 Life Worth Living (United Independent Artists/UIA-0409): Nothin' But The Blood; I Am Persuaded; Center Of Your Will; King Jesus Is Coming; Send Me; When He Calls Us Away; I Wanna Die Living; I'm Saved; He Crossed Out My Sin And Shame; I'll Never Get Over The Cross; Arise; I'll Pray For You (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Aaron Hise, Eric Ollis, Austin Whisnant).

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2010 A Collection Of Favorites (United Independent Artists/UIA-4010): Something Beautiful; The Anchor; When Jesus Passed By; When The Sun Of My Life Goes Down; Sheltered In The Arms Of God; As For Me And My House; It's Gonna Be Wonderful; One Day I Will; Precious Jesus; Who Is On The Lord's Side.

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2011 More Than Enough (United Independent Artists): Oh It Is Jesus; All Is Well; God Settled It All; I'm Trusting The Blood; He's Living Today; I'll Trust The Potter's Hands; Are You Ready; I Will Glory In The Cross; Weapon Of Prayer; Ready Medley (Ready To Leave, I'm Getting Ready To Leave This World, Goodbye World Goodbye); Burn The Boat (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Aaron Hise, Eric Ollis, Austin Whisnant).

2012 Hymns & Harmony (The Gloryland Way; He Is Mine And I Am His; I Should Have Been Crucified; He Keeps Me Singing; We Are So Blessed; He Set Me Free; The Savior Is Waiting; Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All; Grace Greater Than Our Sin; Won't It Be Wonderful There) (Jeff Whisnant, Susan Whisnant, Aaron Hise).

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2013 That's Why We're Here (United Independent Artists): He Can Move That Stone; We'll Meet Again; I Will Live; Glorybound; I'll Never Get Over; Because You Gave; Press Along To Gloryland; In The Depths Of The Sea; That's Why I'm Here; Not Afraid To Trust Him; We're Going Home (Susan, Ethan, Jeff, Austin, Aaron Hise).