The Isaacs show passoin for helping others

The Isaacs will be bringing their unique, popular musical style to Rector as part of the Aug. 4 Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation benefit concert at the RHS gymnasium.

As a frequent part of the Gaither Homecoming series of concerts, the Isaacs are known for their blend of gospel, bluegrass and country music. Vocalist and family matriarch Lily Isaacs helped form the family's style out of a background that included off-Broadway theatre and performing as half of the folk duo, Lily and Maria.

Son Ben Isaacs plays the stand-up bass and has performed with Tony Rice, Ralph Stanley, Aubrey Haynie, Rhonda Vincent and many others. Daughter Sonya Isaacs released several country singles, toured with Vince Gill and has recorded with such country stars as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Brad Paisley.

Youngest daughter Becky Isaacs Bowman is an award-winning songwriter who has made guest appearances as a vocalist with Dolly Parton, Bryan Sutton, Paul Simon, Mark Lowry and others. John Bowman, a world-class multi-instrumentalist who has worked and traveled with artists like Alison Krauss and Union Station and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, is married to Becky.

The group is joined by musicians Jesse Stockman on fiddle, Nathan Fauscett on drums and other percussion and Thomas Wyrot on guitar and banjo.

While each member of the family has stood out through individual projects, it is as a whole that the Isaacs truly shine.

"I think performing together in gospel music ministry is something we all feel called to do," Lily said. "Being able to do that as a family has been such a blessing. It's so great. I think it's made us closer."

The Isaacs maintain a busy schedule. In March, they performed five concerts in 10 days during a tour of Ireland and Scotland. In recent weeks, the group has visited Zambia, Africa, as part of a World Vision mission trip. There the Isaacs helped in bringing aid to approximately 1,500 children in the city of Musela.

It is this caring nature which attracted the Isaacs to the Helping Hands benefit concert.

"We have a passion for helping others who are in need, especially when it comes to children," Lily said. "When Bill Carter told us about this event in Rector, we told him we'd love to be a part of it. It sounds like a wonderful organization and we are looking forward to doing our part."

The Isaacs met Carter about 15 years ago through their work with the Gaithers, for whom the Rector native has worked as a producer for several years. Carter was one of the founders of Helping Hands, an organization created to benefit temporarily financially-challenged children in Rector.

The Isaacs are working on a new album which is expected to be released later this year. The group will be offering upcoming releases, as well as favorite songs from their more than 20 years of performing together.

Though they have toured the world, the Isaacs say each concert is special.

"We've performed in front of 10,000 people and we've performed in front of 200," Lily said. "We approach it the same way. If we touch one person and have an impact on them, then we're happy."