In the summer of 1985 Tim and Tony Bates
attended their first southern gospel event featuring The Greenes and Gold
City. Little did they know that God would use that event to birth a desire
to tell the good news of Jesus to everyone they knew. Although they were
very young and still in middle school, they began to play instruments, sing
in revivals, songfest, and youth events. God used these opportunities early
in their career to teach these young men the correct way to present the
gospel. All they had were their testimonies and their songs.
Tony
was born permanently disabled with his legs turned completely behind him and
he was also born with stubs for fingers. Although he was projected to ride a
wheelchair, God completely healed him and not once has he ever spent time in
a wheelchair! Today, he is recognized as one of the most talented piano
players in Southern Gospel Music.
Tim, accidentally shot himself in the chest with a .22 pistol when he was 4 years old. The bullet shot an artery in two; gun powdered his lungs, and damaged his voice box. Doctors would say, “He’ll never talk above a whisper”. Today, Tim is known for his strong soulful tenor voice.
Both Bates brothers are talented songwriters and have been welcomed into the Clear River Publishing Company in Nashville, TN.
Down through the years they have had many great singers. However, in February of 1999 God sent them LaDonna, who is now Tim’s wife. Her clear, easy listening voice, and her bubbly personality, has made her a fan favorite everywhere she goes. She truly has a heart for the hurting and the lost, and will go over and above her calling to reach people for Christ.
Ministry is the heartbeat of the Bates Family. They enjoy national success with their ever increasing radio audience and other artists recording their songs. However, this is first and foremost a ministry. They have to tell somebody, somewhere, that Jesus loves them.