To anyone who meets or knows any part of most of the Crank Family, it is quite obvious that three things drive them; first- their love for God and Church, second- love for each other, and finally a deep love for music. Any gathering that includes this family will be punctuated with laughter, love shown, and some heavy display of their love for God almighty; and of course no gathering is complete without a generous helping of close family harmony, and you've got to know the flavor will be Gospel in large degree. The underlying reason for this is not so widely known, but I'm inclined here to let the cat out of the bag.

I'm told that many years ago, circa 1910, in the foothills of eastern Kentucky an orphaned teenage girl had been taken into the home of a compassionate relative with her younger brother, where an atmosphere of home and togetherness made them a part of the patchwork of Appalachia, and hard work was the order of the day. So, Sarah Jane Hollingsworth-Glenn-Crank fulfilled her obligation along with the rest, and at the conclusion of those duties took her ragged old Bible and hunger for more of God to an old pine stump up behind the house for a daily dose of God's word and sincere prayer, not for the lighter chores, nor greater accumulation of material things, as is so often the case today, but her petition was consistent with “the Sermon on the Mount”, (Matthew 5:6) “Blessed, are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled”, and what do you know, it worked! She became a Bible totin', spirit-filled believer who subscribed to it's very word. She, not long thereafter married a blind widower by the name of George Anderson Crank, whose mellow tones and vibrant voice brought the spirit of those who heard to a fevered pitch of exuberance, or as need may be, to streaming tears of conviction. Walking those old Kentucky hills, they two, with their offspring shared their love of God with anyone willing to listen.

Could it then be any wonder that their offspring should inherit the same love and devotion to God, family and music; and with these attributes on display whenever we get together we thankfully present to any and all with whom we may come into contact, deep appreciation for the privilege to be the Crank Family.

--Pastor John C. Crank