By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
WOODLAND — One creates the melody while the other fills in the accompaniment; two-person group Farley Gospel has been spreading their musical message throughout the state since December of 1978.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Husband and wife duo Caroll, left, an Brenda Farley have been making music together since 1978. The two will be offering CDs of their music by donation at the Aroostook Centre Mall until Oct. 11.
“My goal is to tell people that Jesus loves them and to share the word,” said lyricist and vocalist Brenda Farley. “But there’s joy in doing it, too” guitarist Caroll Farley added.
The two were married in 1959, began making music together in 1978 and have written 17 songs as of recently, two of which are for the Christmas season.
“I’ve written more than that, but I haven’t gotten them out in circulation yet,” said Brenda.
The duo has over 200 songs in their repertoire — they’ve performed at hundreds of events and even put on their own television show called, of course, Farley Gospel.
Both Ordained Ministers with the Abundant Life Mission, the reason Brenda is driven to share this message to the world is because, as she said, “I went so long in my life being religious but not knowing Him.”
“I didn’t know that God loved me and now that I know it, I have to shout it from the rooftops,” Brenda added.
Of course she doesn’t actually shout it from the rooftops.
But ever since she dedicated her life to Jesus in 1978, Brenda has felt a need to express her devotion.
“I wanted to do something for Him, but I didn’t know how because I didn’t know any hymns. So I started just making up songs,” she recalled.
While Brenda had the creativity to make up songs and the vocal talent to carry a tune, her vocals and lyrics were missing instrumental accompaniment.
“My parents gave me piano lessons … but they wasted their money,” she joked.
This is where Caroll’s talent entered the picture. He started playing guitar in his early 20s and has had the telltale calluses of a musician on his fingertips ever since. Brenda would sing the lyrical melody and Caroll, with an ear for music, would strum the chords that turned her tunes into songs.
“I hate to brag, but he’s good,” Brenda said, smiling at her husband.
Caroll first picked up the guitar in the early 1960s. His father had played, and Caroll always liked the sound of the instrument. So he bought a cheap guitar and as he watched musicians play on television, he’d study the guitarist’s hands as they changed chords across the bridge. Mimicking what he saw, Caroll taught himself the guitar.
He plays every day, flipping on the television and strumming along with the programs. The other half of the passionate gospel group, Brenda sings throughout the day whenever a song strikes her — they may not hold ‘band practice’ every day, but the duo is always ready to perform.
As the two used to play country music, their current genre is country gospel.
Caroll’s favorite songs to play are the older traditional songs, like “The Old Rugged Cross,” but he also enjoys the music Brenda’s written.
And of the songs she’s written, one stands out in her mind.
Brenda was reading the book of Isaiah 49:15 when inspired to write the song “We are Carved in the Palms of God’s Hands.”
“When God looks into the nail prints that he still has today, he remembers us and thinks of us and never forgets us,” Brenda said, “no matter what we do and what we’ve done, he’ll forgive our sins and he’ll come and help us.”
Farley Gospel is currently available to play select events, and additional information about the group can be obtained by calling 493-6653.
Farley Gospel CDs will be available by donation at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle during their Fall Arts and Crafts Show until Oct. 11.
“It’s just the two of us … and Jesus,” Brenda said.
