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history of the berry brothers

The Berry Brothers have been involved in gospel music since childhood.  Their family has a rich history of ministry.  Their father, Clyde Berry, has been a pastor for over 40 years.  He was a member of the Berry Quartet, a popular quartet from Fredericktown, Missouri in the 1950's and 1960's.  The Berry Quartet was made up of Clyde and his brothers.

The mother of the Berry Brothers, Phyllis (Rogers) Berry, is a talented pianist who comes from a singing family.  Her father was a member of the Rogers Quartet from Fredericktown, Missouri.  Phyllis, her father, uncle, and sister were a part of this well-known quartet in the 1950's and 1960's.  Out of these diverse talented families have emerged several preachers, music ministers, and gospel groups.

The older brothers, Alan and Steve, were part of a popular quartet, The young Messengers, in the mid 1970's.  This group of young men recorded two albums of quartet music and traveled the Midwest doing concerts and revivals.  After the Young Messengers dissolved, Alan and Steve started a new group known as The Berry Singers. Doug later joined The Berry Singers and the group quickly became a favorite gospel group in the Midwest.  Their album Jesus, How I Love You, included the song, Hallelujah Meeting which reached number 15 on the Midwest Gospel Music charts in 1976.  Both the Young Messenger and The Berry Brothers performed in concert with such groups as The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, and The Blackwood Brothers.  They appeared on several television and radio programs throughout the South and Midwest.  After The Berry Singers disbanded, the brothers became involved in individual ministries.

Alan Berry

Alan served as pastor of East Bonne Terre First Baptist Church, Meadow Heights Baptist, Fredericktown, and Red Start Baptist in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  He also served as the Director of Missions for St. Francois Baptist Association in Fredericktown, Missouri.  He sang for ten years in a gospel group known as Cornerstone, recording three albums and performing hundreds of concerts throughout the Midwest.

Alan is a graduate of Missouri Baptist College in St. Louis and Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City.  He currently teaches history in the Farmington R-7 School District  in Farmington, Missouri and is music director for Memorial Methodist Church in Farmington and First Baptist Church of Doe Run, Missouri. He has a Masters Degrees Education and Secondary Administration. He is married to Marilyn (Ramsey) Berry, who also teaches and has a Masters Degree in Education.  Alan has two children of his own, Mark of Farmington and Amy of Scott City and two grandchildren, Isaiah & Elijah.  He and Marilyn are parents of Abigale, Alayna, and  Boone. They reside in Farmington, Missouri.

Steve Berry

Steve has served as Music Director for First Baptist Church in Bonne Terre, and Second Baptist Church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  He surrendered to the ministry while attending Second Baptist and became Assistant Pastor there.  He was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Perryville before taking his present position as pastor at Saline Baptist Church in Minnith, in 1995.  Gospel music. as well as country and bluegrass music were integral portions of the family's country variety show called The Berry Boys Mountain Music Show.  Steve was a part of this popular group, performing throughout Missouri.

Steve is a graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri and Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri.  He holds a Masters Degrees in Elementary Education and Elementary Administration. He is a fourth grade teacher at Farmington R-7 School District.  He is married to Leeta (Nickelson) Berry. She is a school librarian with a Masters in Elementary Education and a Specialist Degree in Elementary Education. They reside in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. They have one child, Melissa and four grandchildren, Rawlin, Anderson, Chamberlin & Myla.

Doug Berry

Doug has served as Youth and Music Director for the First Baptist Church in Bonne Terre, Missouri, Meadow Heights Baptist Church, Fredericktown, First Baptist Church Chester, Illinois, and Second Baptist Church in Fredericktown, Missouri.  He is presently music director at East Bonne Terre Baptist Church.  He was a member of a well-known quartet entitled, Homeland, now called Crimson Gold. He performed for several years with the well-known group from Branson, Missouri, The Plummer Family.  He was a member of the country/gospel music group City Limits, which in 1993, finished first in the state of Missouri in the Wrangler Country Showdown contest.

Doug graduated from St. Louis Broadcast Center in St. Louis, Missouri and has worked for several years in radio.  Doug is married Paula (Franks) Berry.  They have five children, Ashley, Summer, Garrett, Jordan and Olivia. They reside in Bonne Terre, Missouri.