The Richards

Biography

I would like to introduce you to two families that God has brought together for the purpose of reaching out to lost and hurting people through song and testimony presented in a manner unlike anything you have ever heard before. They include Don Leake, bass singer and Group Manager, his son, Craig Leake, singing baritone, and son-in-law, Glenn Watson running sound, along with husband and wife team, Eddie and Sherry Richards, singing lead and alto respectively.

Don, Craig and Glenn were original members of “Greater Love Quartet”, which was an all male quartet for almost 15 years. Eddie and Sherry Richards have had or been a part of numerous groups over the past 25+ years including The Nippers, Southern Gold, The Sounds of Victory and most recently, “The Richards”. As only God can arrange, “Greater Love Quartet” and “The Richards” were introduced to each other a mere three months prior to the male quartet losing two of it’s members and “The Richards” losing one of theirs. After four more months of God’s handiwork and nudging, Don, Craig, Glenn, Eddie and Sherry accepted the call to combine their respective ministries into one, now known as simply “Greater Love”.

Just a few months after the inception of “Greater Love”, the group released their first song “Golden Shores” to radio nationwide only to have it appear on the Singing News chart and remain there for three consecutive months. They plan to release their next single in early 2010. Both of these songs are from their latest project, “Soul Searching” produced and arranged by Dean Hopper of The Hoppers and Wayne Haun of Signature Sound.

Also, in their short time together, “Greater Love” has been invited to participate in many of Southern Gospel music’s largest events including “Myrtle Beach Singing in the Sun” and “Gatlinburg Gathering”, the second and third largest Southern Gospel events in the U.S. Both of these events are sponsored by Abraham Production, with whom the group is currently a featured artist. One of the many highlights of this honor has been sharing the stage with such artists as The Hoppers, The Whisnants, The Perrys, The Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Ivan Parker, Karen Peck and New River, Brian Free and Assurance and The Greenes, just to name a few. As well, “Greater Love” has been invited to appear on the stage of Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, in 2010. Some individual honors have included Don singing bass with The Booth Brothers a few times over the last couple years and Sherry filling in for Connie Hopper, who is her greatest influence in this industry.

Though all these events have been a tremendous blessing to this ministry, they can’t compare to the honor they have had of seeing souls come to the Lord in the last 2 years. Group members will tell you, they have seen more people come to know the Lord through this ministry than they have seen in all of their time in ministry. They do not take the credit for the work God did, but feel honorably blessed to have been the messenger. The goal of this ministry is to reach out as far as God would allow them to souls who need to be introduced to Jesus – to share how God can change their life. As well, they strive to encourage those who already know the Lord, but who need uplifting. So open your heart and your mind and allow me to introduce to you - - “Greater Love” - -

Greater Love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. John 15:13