Under Grace Biographies
Jeremy Ballinger - Lead
Jeremy Ballinger has always been a preacher's kid. Church is all he has ever known. He started singing specials in church with two of his sisters at the age of 7. One of the very first songs he remembers singing was "We're Not Home Yet Children". Unlike most preacher's kids, Jeremy has only known one church. His dad has been the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tn ever since Jeremy was born. Jeremy always tells the story of almost being born on the back pew, because his dad was a firm believer in going to church no matter what.
Jeremy remembers first meeting Mark Brantley around the age of 14. His dad had called Mark's dad to come and give us a price on putting in a baptistery in our church. When Mark's dad shows up , he has this kid (Mark) with him and the boys hit it off from the very beginning. Mark introduces Jeremy to southern gospel music by giving him a copy of a Kingsmen album. Jeremy loved the humor & singing of "Big Jim Hammill" and The Kingsmen. On many occasions, Jeremy and Mark would go to near by singings and hear groups such as The Kingsmen, Gold City, The Cathedrals, The Hinsons and many more. That was all it took to sell Jeremy on the idea of starting a local group called The Redeemed Quartet.
At the age of 17, he went on the road full-time with The Brashears out of Russellville, AR. He sang with them for about 3 years and performed on three occasions at the National Quartet Convention.
In 1994, he took part in forming a trio called Trinity that consisted of Mark, Jeremy and Billy Hodges (now singing with The Kingdom Heirs), later changing our name to Under Grace as you know us today.
He is the pastor of Holy Hills Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He was saved, called to preach, licensed, and ordained at Trinity Baptist Church in Dyersburg, TN where his dad, Leonard Ballinger, is the pastor. He holds a Bachelor of Bible, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Theology, all from Baptist Colleges. He has been active in Southern Gospel Music for 20 years and enjoys every opportunity he has to minister the gospel through preaching and singing. Bro. Jeremy holds several revivals during the year and would love to come to your church as the Lord leads. www.holyhillsbaptistchurch.com
Jerry Carr - Tenor
Jerry Carr started singing in his home church around the age of 6. He grew up in Collinwood, Tn “I Saw The Light” was the first song he ever sang as a young boy. At the age of 13, he began singing with a friend from school . They would sang one or two songs here and there for different occasions. Jerry would also sing with his mother when asked to at revivals and singings around the area.
He was saved August 2nd 1981 during a church revival at Cypress Oak Free Will Baptist Church. Marvin Morrow was the evangelist.
When he was 18, he started listening to the Kingsmen Quartet every waking minute. He learned the harmony parts with the help of his mom, and by listening to Garry Shepherd of the Kingsmen.
Jerry has 'sang' in different groups from 1988 to the present. One group consisting of his wife Angie, and her sister Kristi called Adoration in 1995. Later, he started singing with The Masters from Bethel Springs, TN until 2001.
Jerry had the privilege to be featured on a live recording , along with the Love and Truth Choir, produced by Bill Gaither at the Love and Truth Church in Adamsville, Tn.
In 2001, he tried out with Under Grace after the departure of Billy Hodges , who now sings with The Kingdom Heirs. After that, we knew we had the right guy. He is well known for his way of singing “Oh What a Saviour” which has blessed people all across the area.
It has been 5 years since Jerry joined Under Grace. He has recorded 2 cds since he has been with the group and has enjoyed every mile. He and his wife Angie have four boys and live in Savannah, Tn.
Mark Brantley - Baritone
When Mark was around 6 years old, his dad would play the guitar and they would sing specials in church. He was so small that his dad had to stand him up on a folding chair so the people could see him. His mother brought a Kingsmen album home that had big Jim Hammill, Squire Parsons, Ray Dean Reese and Ernie Phillips singing on it. After hearing little Ernie for himself, it was then that Mark was hooked. That is what he wanted to do. He wanted to sing just like Ernie. God had other plans, and made him a baritone singer.
He started playing the piano at the age of 10 and formed his own group at the age of 13 called the Victory Quartet. When Mark was about 15 years old, he met up with Jeremy Ballinger and formed a group called The Redeemed Quartet. Just after leaving High School, he went on the road with his first, full-time opportunity by singing with The Brashears from Russellville, AR. After coming home off the road, Mark decided that he would remain singing part time and just enjoy singing, letting God have His way. He had several invitations to try out with groups such as The Greens, The Dixie Melody Boys, The Telestials and Brian Free and Assurance, but he felt in his heart that God wanted him to be close to home singing for Him.
In 1994, Mark took part in forming a trio called trinity that consisted of Mark, Jeremy Ballinger and Billy Hodges (now singing with The Kingdom Heirs), later changing our name to Under Grace as you know us today. Mark is a member and a piano player for Holy Hills Baptist Church. He teaches a young adults Sunday school class every Sunday and enjoys teaching the Bible to those that follow the Lord. He arranges all of the music that you will hear Under Grace sing and he has played on the first three recordings. Thanks goes to Matthew Holt for playing all the music on the "Favorites & Request" project.
