About:
James Michael Rainey
James was born in Richmond, Indiana to Mr. James Hugh Rainey and Jane Ann Rainey. James's parents were called into the ministry when James was at a young age, so they relocated from Richmond to Cincinnati, Ohio where the journey begins.
James's parents were hired on as the youth pastors at Evendale Church of God in Evendale, Ohio, under the leadership of Ralph and Jewel Turner.
This was the happening church back in the day. They brought in all the big groups like: The Bill Gaither Trio, The Rambos, The Downings, The Kingsmen Quartet, Lorne Matthews, The Speer Family, and many others. This church was also known for The Joy Time Singers, which was a traveling choir with a full band and a bus.
But it all started with the church's pianist, Bonnie Baker Taylor. She is one of the most incredible musicians around. Along side of her was a lady by the name of Shirley Drake, my mother's best friend back then. I used to watch these ladies every Sunday at the age of 5. I was fascinated at how they played the hymns and the skill at which they did it with. I was going home on my 17-key chord organ and imitating what I saw and heard. What really took place was that I had a photographic memory of the keys, and God had given me perfect pitch. I was really playing what I saw and heard. My parents saw this and had me anointed by the entire church to play the piano. The rest of the story is a 21-year career in the greatest industry and music known to man: Southern Gospel!
At the age of 14, James went on the road with The Gospel Harmony Boys, out of Huntington, West Virginia. This quartet was started by Harold Lane, famous arranger of The Speer Family, back in 1958. After many years with this quartet, James was then hired by The Hopper Brothers and Connie.
From there the groups would include: The Dalton Gang, Rusty Goodman, The Plainsmen Quartet, The Eagles Quartet, The Greenes, The Singing Americans, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, The Trailblaizers Quartet, Crimson River, The Anchormen, The Melody Masters, The Stamps Quartet with Ed Enoch, and The Blackwood Quartet with Ron Blackwood.
Today, James is the minister of music in Belleville, Illinois with his lovely wife, Laura Jo. They are the owners of Declaration 212 Productions and a state of the art recording studio. James is also involved with his own family group, The James Rainey Trio, that holds revivals all across the country. James also makes select appearances with southern gospel father and son duo, Wilburn & Wilburn.
