We are Greg & Teresa Watson from Balsam Grove NC. We perform a mixture of Gospel Music from Bluegrass,Country to some Southern Gospel.
We do original songs as well as cover tunes and songs we are given by other people we meet while on the road. We try to do two mission trips per year in the US but also consider trips abroad as well. Throughout our years in ministry our missions have included working with the homeless, Christmas gifts and Bibles for needy children, alongwith one trip to the Phillippians where we saw 3000 people (both young children to teens, and adults to the elderly) accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We have received multiple regional and International awards including the Platinum Heart Award for holding the title of Bluegrass/Gospel of the Year for three consecutive years. We were very instrumental in getting the Carl Story Sr. Highway through in Caldwell County, NC. Carl Story is known as the Father of Bluegrass/Gospel Music and has had a trememdous influence on our music style today. Greg had the opportunity to meet Carl Story several years ago. Since then we have become very close friends with Helen, Carl's widow in Greer, SC.
Greg was born and raised in the same home town as Mr. Story. His family was very music oriented and Greg learned to play guitar and dobro at an early age. He learned to sing from listening to Hank Williams Sr. 78 RPM records. He also heard Jimmie Rodgers, Gene Autry, Smilley Burnette, and Ernest Tubb. He became friends with Pete Kirby, known as "Bashful Brother Oswald," who played dobro for Roy Acuff for many, many years before his death. Greg learned several pointers from Brother Oswald that have helped him develop his dobro playing style. Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb, Carl Story, Smiley Burnette, Gene Autry, and Hank Williams Sr.'s influences would later resurface in our ministry. We have been very privileged to have had such outstanding role models in our music. Greg's background in Country Music has afforded us many opportunities that normally wouldn't have come along. He was allowed to play and record with Jimmie Rodgers' original 000-45 Martin guitar in Meridian, Mississippi. This was the first recording to be released with the original guitar since Ernest Tubb used it in the 1940's. Mrs. Rodgers had loaned him the guitar for several years to help launch his career. We were honored to record a song with "Bashful Brother Oswald" playing dobro, which was the last released recording during his lifetime. Greg has also met and become friends with several of Hank Williams Srs' band members. They have also been influenced by other great musicians and singers including: Betty Jean Robinson, Jack Mollette (former Texas Troubadour), Mitchell Moser (bass player for Carl Story's Rambling Mountaineers), and Gary S. Paxton (songwriter, producer, and performer). We have had the privilege to perform on stage with Gary S. Paxton, Betty Jean Robinson, Jack Mollette, Marty Haggard (son of Country Music legend Merle Haggard), Steve "Rabbit" Easter (musician of the year and multiaward winner), the lovely and gracious Joanne Cash (sister of Johnny Cash), and George Hamilton IV. We feel that alot of the events and happenings throughout our ministry have been appointed by God through these people and others we have met along the way.
Teresa was diagnosed in 1994 with Multiple Sclerosis and was told by several doctors that she should be bedridden or in a wheelchair. However, through her trust and faith in God and the help of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ she sings and ministers on her feet. She thanks God for her talent and ability to work for Him in order to increase His Kingdom. We are also the founders and officers of GTW Ministries, Inc., a tax deductible 501c3 organization which raises funds for the missions each year. For everything we give God glory, honor, praise and many thanks!