I love the cd, and the way you sing and play, you are very talented. But, of all the ministers I have heard in my life, you are by far the best one. You are the only one I have not had to explain to Emily what was said in the sermon. Mr. McBeevy has been talked about all week!
Rick Lane
March 8, 2011
Still a fan. :-)
Sam and Donna Pearson
March 4, 2011
LOVE YOUR WEB-SITE, YOUR SINGING, YOUR MUSIC AND YOU AND JULIE....I WILL PUT YOUR INFO OUT TO MY FRIENDS AND I HAVE A LOT OF 'EM....DONNA
Nan
February 7, 2011
I like it. Reminds me of my very sordid, but happy memoried youth. Great nights in Prescott and Jerome, AZ. listening to small town bands with rhythm, heart and spirit and more talent than many of the biggies. Ok, I drank a lot of wine, still do and the music as sweet as the wine, but not as sweet as the memories. Life moves on though, all in good time.
Gene and Anne Elliott
August 31, 2010
Long time - no see! Been looking for you for quite some time. It's great to see you're still singing! Would love to connect in person sometime. Lakewood days and Carowinds - what memories! We're in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Daved Terrell
July 10, 2010
Was very interested in your muscial background and I wasn't disappointed. Your music is great to listen to...My Dad and Mon were a professional musicians and performers (swing, rockabilly, country western etc.) but he started me out classical, then I found the blues and rock but heart has always been with the acoustic sound and yours appeals to me very much. I still use his '52 Gibson elctric when I can...I play with the Nortstar Band @ WGBC and appreciate the times Kevin lets me pull out my acoustic to play.. I have yet to convine him to let me do CSN or even Y....keep the faith...
Buffy Heaton
April 26, 2010
I saw the Dawker Mountain Valley Boys at Lakewood Campground outside Myrtle Beach, SC. One of my absolute favorite memories. My Daddy bought the album and I still have it. I've asked a few bluegrass bands since to play Barefoot Nellie - and they don't know it. Nobody plays it as good as you guys!
Stan and Eleanor Crumpton
February 13, 2010
Awesome!! Oliver is a musician still. He plays for Spoken, a christian rock band. So glad to have found you, how have you been. Found you thru facebook. Visit me and see pics of the family! This is really GooD!!!! Do you know where Kevin is??
Liz
November 26, 2009
HI! I finally found you. I think you are in Richmond somewhere. What church are you at? I went to first Baptist Church in Winchester Va. Just thought I'd stop by.
Barry Grantier
June 28, 2009
Thanks for your program at Branch's seniors group last Thur.
Fantastic; so is Cherokee Road
barry
Robin Sutton
January 30, 2009
From another long lost Vagrant
Just wanted to say hello and wish you, Julie and Melissa well. Sawyer is in college.
Vermont is wonderful but I miss the music of the Winchester crew (maybe not Philip's singing though)
Glad to catch up with your songs.
Sam and Donna Pearson
January 26, 2009
GOOD FOR YOU! WE THINK OF YOU, JULIE AND MELISSA OFTEN! SAM CAN'T BELIEVE MELISSA IS ALREADY IN COLLEGE....MY HOW TIME FLIES!
Jeff Tyson
January 13, 2009
I heard "Warmth of Living Lite" on WFLS's Sunday Morning Gospel Show about a year ago, found out the who/what/where, great song and cd.,any TAB/chords availble for this song? I play the "strings" in church on ocassion, great playing for the Lord, and in my basement all the time, God Bless You and Your work.
mike flynn
December 1, 2008
Hello ,
heard about you from a young lady who used to attend your church,Liz Gromis. her husband just got hired at a local church.I am a christian counselor. web site:
christian counselors4va.com I also love blue grass and my son has a band called Southwater in c-ville.Call 334 9598 lets grab lunch and swap info.thanks,
mike
Mark.Bumgardner
July 24, 2008
Drexel,
Nice to find you on the 'net. It's been quite a while since we spoke (FBC Charlotte, late 80s, maybe?). Hard to believe it's 30 plus years since being in Europe. Mom & Dad saw Jim Smith a few weeks ago at a convention. Jim's stateside now, but it sounded like he wants to get back to Berlin. Anyway - just wanted to say "hey". Cool website, by the way. I'll keep a eye out for any NC dates - I'd like my wife & daughter to hear you. Check ya later.
Mark Bumgardner
Hahn, Germany 73-78
Kirk & Debbi Grosch
March 28, 2008
Drexel, I have still hung on to a copy of a past sermon you preached, "Blood In The Glue." Bless you, Debbi
Dorothy McElrath
March 11, 2008
Hi Drexel, I was an MK in Munich when you were in Austria...I've always remembered "White Dove" and still sing bits of it to myself. I googled on a whim and found your site. How fun to find you. - Dorothy
Joyce and Fred Hooker
March 7, 2008
Sharyn Jones' father and I would like to express our thanks and appreciation for the lovely service you provided. I told someone, later in the day, that I would consider joining a church if I knew you would be there.
Thanks again,
Joyce Hooker (Sharyn's step mom)
Diane Miller
March 6, 2008
I enjoyed reading about your musical talents and the history of your recording career. But, musically, of course, I will always remember you for your performance of the songs you played at my sister's memorial service. Thank you so much.
Diane
Marsh Smith
December 27, 2007
Ehh, what's up Doc? Just read about your accident, glad you're ok. Perhaps that chain could've used A Little Bit O' Polish...
Anyway, I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!
~ Marsh
"I don't make this mess... it just becomes one."
paul bobal
December 18, 2007
i just dropped by to say "hi" to an old friend... i hope you have a glorious holiday season... all the best
kathy taley grey
December 13, 2007
Hey Drexel! You can't imagine how much I enjoyed reading your bio. To say you've led a full life since our high school days would be somewhat of an understatement. You're still the guy in the 70's picture in my mind. Thanks for sharing your life and music. All I can say is . . . WOW! God is faithful. Stay in touch, Kathy
Mike Harton
November 21, 2007
Love Cherokee Road! Especially appreciate "Roll Call," an autobiographical personal/theological/philosophical position statement, I presume!
Interesting proposition:
November 14, 2007
being asked to sign my name prompts serious (seriously!) questions about relationships. Signing "Philip Pate" sounds so formal, and suggests that you will not know me by the slightest change I provoke in your state (referencing a conversation today)-I don't want to come back a stranger {thank you Robin and Linda-thank you for pointing me to the song}; "Phil" sound so casual as to be dismissive (and is, I just now realized [seriously] a name by which I never refer to myself); "Your buddy" sounds like junior high school; and on and on. Having to name oneself to a good friend is somewhat of a conundrum. Or is this more (or mere) solipsism?
Anyway, it was great seeing you and getting to see you in your real environment. You are "sticky," but in all the right senses.
The vagrants' photo brought a tear (not seriously, but metaphorically) to my eye: Lord do I miss that group.
Anyway, the next time I am in town, let's have a longer chat. We have only scratched the surface, I surmise.
Philip. (the signing a letter is so much less conflicting than signing a guest book)
Randy England
October 11, 2007
hey Drexel, haven't seen you in years. I hope to you in Louisa
on Oct 28th.
Chris English
October 2, 2007
By the way, what "crash?"
Chris English
October 2, 2007
Hey pardner, let's keep in touch...better
From Drexel to Steve Silcox
August 11, 2007
Hey Steve! Great to hear from you! Of course I remember! Write me a note at drexelrayford@comcast.net.
Steve silcox
August 8, 2007
hey Drexel, haven't seen you in years. I hope you remember me from Nirton's and seminary. I hope you are well.
Warren King
July 22, 2007
Awesome, just found your website. This is very cool. Can't wait to hear more of your music.
Earl & Susan Neal
July 7, 2007
It was great to see and hear you today. I've got Cherokee Road on the CD. VERY NICE! Good Luck on your contest.
Rick and Gayla Joyner
June 16, 2007
Drexel:
Awesome concert and CD! We really appreciate all of the talents you have brought to our church!!
Glenn Graves
June 12, 2007
thanks for sharing your music
Malcolm Marler
June 11, 2007
Drexel Rayford is one of the most authentic, multi-talented people I've ever known, what a gift to the world he is! He especially makes me laugh, which is a good thing.
Blottners
June 8, 2007
Drexel:
What a beautiful album and a super concert! We were truly moved. Awesome to see your family up there! Loved the song for Julie- think you can talk to Woody? You're the best! Thanks for all that you do!
Michele Tilley
June 4, 2007
What an awesome concert! You (and your family) are so talented in so many ways! Can't wait to hear more!
Todd Ball
June 3, 2007
Fantastic Concert, you're a great entertainer, not to mention vocalist and musician!! My favorites were Back on The Slide and Santa Fe. An inspiring way to spend an evening!!
Joy Granger
June 1, 2007
Drex!
This site is wonderful and the CD is even better. I especially like tracks 3 and 10. "Cherokee Road" is so beautiful and I've been humming the "Santa Fe" tune around the office all week! Thanks for sharing... and you need to bring your tour to Colorado! :-)
Oh, and Andy says "Bart Star is the best... can't wait to hear the live version again with Melissa harmonizing!"
We love you!
Joy and Andy:-D
Kay Smith
June 1, 2007
Great music, Drexel. What took you so long?
Gabi
June 1, 2007
Hey Drexel!
Wahnsinn, ich freu mich so für dich! Am liebsten würd ich zu dem Konzert kommen ;=)
Fühl dich ganz fest 'umarmt' von deiner österreichischen Tochter!
Elisabeth
May 31, 2007
Lieber Drexel!
Es ist großartig zu sehen, was du alles machst. Der Herr segne dich bei deinen Vorhaben.
Mit lieben Grüßen aus deiner Lieblingsstadt,
Elisabeth
Bonnie and Don Gouldin
May 28, 2007
Love your website and all the wonderful talents you bring to Walnut Grove and Mechanicsville!
Lynn and Karen Smith
May 27, 2007
May 27,2007
Great to see you are keeping the tunes coming. Best of luck on your release concert!
Alex
May 25, 2007
Great work!
Todd Fearnow
May 25, 2007
Cool web site!!
Ralph Starling
May 23, 2007
Awesome!
Mark and Kristin
May 13, 2007
AWESOME. You're the best.
We love your music.
Randy and Jackie King
May 11, 2007
Drexel, the web site is great. Thanks for sending me the the information. The music is terrific and the pictures are really good. Tell Julie and Melissa we said Hi and send our love.
Ben and Suzette McIlwaine
May 6, 2007
We really like your website, Drexel! It is totally awesome and we are going to listen to everyone of the songs listed. Can't wait to get your CD. By the way, you are very handsome!