More heroism can be displayed in the household than in any memorable battlefield.  How many of us can list the name of a war veteran from World War I?  But quiz us on a family member who has touched our lives, our stories gush out like a geyser.  Many of us can still remember our grandfather kneeling in prayer wrestling with God on our behalf.  Others of us can remember prattling with our parents by the beach thousands of moons ago.  More heroes are festered in the warm caresses of a mother's arms than the trenches of war.  So, to see the Downs Family holding hands gathering outside a church on their latest album cover "Let's Have a Little Church" is encouraging.  As trite and cliché as it may sound, a family that prays together truly stays together.  The Downs Family consists of Scotty & Teresa Downs, their daughters, Kayla & Meagan and their cousin Will.  Together they are committed to bring their patented style of Southern/country Gospel around the world.  Thus far, they have released three albums and some of their songs such as "He Kept On Loving Me", "Cover Me", "I'll Not Fear The Valley", "He Chose The Nails" and "In The Hands Of The Savior" have received national recognition.

"Let's Have a Little Church" finds the Downs Family partnering with Gerald Crabb again as producer.  Crabb of the Crabb Family fame is an esteemed songwriter of magnanimous aptitude.  Under his belt are at least 22 number one songs, numerous Dove Awards, the prestigious BMI Christian songwriter and BMI publisher of the year awards. This time round Crabb has contributed three selections "We Are the Church," "Ready to Go" and "His Grace."  "We Are the Church" is an anthemic reminder that we are not nobodies but God's indestructible church; the church Christ gave His life for.  The Downs Family's rendition is so befitting of the song's message:  crisp, confident and a joie de vivre.  While "Ready to Go" is a funky romp about the longings for heaven that features some ersatz bluesy keys and some galvanizing electric guitars riffs.  Though the vocals of "His Grace" are strained in certain patches of the song, it is a gorgeous ballad reminding us we can never exhaust the grace of God.  

Breezy, catchy and such a delight to the heart is the country sounding Scotty Downs' original "Holding On to Mercy and Grace."  Easily the album's most interesting piece is "You Don't Have to Move the Mountain."  This late Keith Whitley's paean is a character in itself.  Interweaving strains of the old Gospel spiritual, some jittery bluegrass joints and a message that takes its seed from Jesus' words in Mark 11:22-25, "You Don't Have to Move Mountains" is not like any other song.  Trisha Yearwood gave a definitive reading way back in the early 90s while the Downs Family's version trails not that far behind. Scotty Downs take the lead on Randy Houser and Craig Monday's "Lead Me Home."  Lifted originally from Houser's "They Call Me Cadillac," Scotty Downs' take is seasoned with more thought and depth through his careful nuances.

Promising also is album closer where Scotty Downs unravels his songwriting prowess on the heartfelt "This is Him."  If there is any quibble about the entire record, it's that some of the harmonies could have been tighter and the vocals polished a little more.  But such cavil also gives the record a homey feel that is so befitting of the group's identity.  Nevertheless, it is a joy to see family members singing together with each taking leads on various tracks.  And one would wish such a Godly template would be replicated across God's kingdom as families sing together about God's grace and mercy as expressed through His church.