Making music — family style

From the first note to the last, The Hayes Family from North Carolina makes music — family style.

Parents Howard and Lucy Hayes and their three children, Mylon, Janet and Sharon, are known for their different musical styles, including old convention songs using just the piano and bass guitar for accompaniment, typical Southern gospel style using soundtracks with piano and bass or an instrumental by the children, and even old hymns of the church.

“Our music is mostly traditional Southern gospel and our ministry is mostly encouraging messages for the church and for the family,” Mylon told The Log. “However, we always include songs that speak to a person who is not a Christian ... the gospel in a song, basically.”

Audiences of all ages will enjoy the Southern gospel music of The Hayes Family, which began about 1970 and has since become one of America’s favorite family groups.

Howard’s love for gospel music began as a teenager, and he felt the call of the Lord on his life at a young age to minister to people through music. He knows the importance of good music and strong lyrics — ingredients that make The Hayes Family what it is today.

Lucy is a talented pianist who is credited with giving the children the lessons necessary to make them the accomplished musicians they’ve become.

The children were young when the group was formed, and their parents started teaching them harmony parts. Janet, the oldest, is an experienced keyboardist and sings the high notes. She has also written several songs that have become favorites the group performs. Sharon has a unique alto voice and exceptional keyboard abilities. She and Janet double on the keyboard for at least one song during every concert. Mylon, the youngest, plays bass guitar and is respected by his peers as a strong Christian man. Audiences also enjoy his unique style of singing.

“When Janet, Sharon and I were small, dad and mom worked with us a lot,” Mylon said. “Of course, we are all married now with kids of our own so we each can share various life experiences, apply them spiritually and share them. The kids are a wonderful part of our concert these days, too.”

As a family, the group’s ministry focuses on families, and their goal is to share their experiences as a family and how they rely on Jesus Christ as the answer to today’s family difficulties. The Hayes Family wants to lift up people spiritually and encourage them if they’re down.

“We want to be a blessing and encouragement to the Christian and a testimony to the unsaved,” Mylon said. “We hope people will leave the cares of life for a little while and just think on the goodness of God, rejoice together with us and worship the Lord.”