Ernie Penley

About Ernie Penley

NEW CD "GOSPEL TROUBADOUR" AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
Very happy to announce the new CD "Gospel Troubadour" is available worldwide for digital download on CD Baby. By the end of the week it will be available on ITunes, Amazon, Spotify and all the digital outlets! You can purchase and download individual songs for .99 cents each or the entire CD for $9.99.
I am excited. The CD has already received great reviews from radio stations.
New CD, new record promoter, new booking agent, new direction but with the same message - "Jesus is Lord"!

(expired link)




website:
(expired link)
reverbnation page:
(expired link)

Singer/Songwriter Ernie Penley started his musical journey at the early age of 8 as a drummer. He studied drums and percussion throughout junior high and high school. During those years he played in various bands - Rock Bands, Jazz Ensembles and finally Country Bands. It was during a Christmas break in high school that Ernie bought his first guitar. His Uncle Jay Penley taught him the first three chords (G-C-D). It wasn't long before Ernie started writing country songs. After high school Ernie played drums and sang with a band from Boone, NC that led to first place awards and appearances with Grand Ole Opry performers. The band also played backup for many of these stars. Ernie also started his broadcasting career during this time. That career lead to several stations and positions (Music Director, Program Director and Station Manager). In 1983 Ernie started and built gospel radio station WCIS in Morganton, NC. The station was sold to the Whisnants in 1994.

In December 1979 Ernie received a phone call from the manager of an up and coming country band. The manager said the group wanted to talk to Ernie about taking the drummer position. Ernie talked to the group on three different occasions over the next few months. They offered him the position but Ernie wasn't sure he wanted to travel so much, especially with a new baby at home. They told Ernie if he changed his mind to join them on April 2nd, 1980 in Myrtle Beach, SC. He didn't and on April 3rd Alabama hired Mark Herndon as their new drummer.

Always believing that he was put on earth to play music, Ernie started searching his heart after he turned down the Alabama gig. Being raised in church, Ernie knew where to go for answers.
In October 1980 Ernie completely surrendered his life to Christ! Although Ernie was saved and baptized before, he hadn't sought God's will for his life. Soon, Ernie started singing in church and in several gospel groups. With John's River Quartet he wrote and sang lead on their two 2013 Singing News Top 80 hits, "J-E-S-U-S Spells Love" and "(Old Fashioned) Holy Ghost Revival". In January 2014 Ernie started his solo singing ministry. Two songs from Ernie's debut CD landed on the National Charts with "Jim Was Saved Tonight" reaching #32 in December 2014 and "Power Surge" debuting at #60 in April 2015. Ernie said, "I praise my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to use the talents and gifts He has given me to minister the Gospel!

Ernie's biggest burden is for revival and a spiritual awakening in America. "I pray the Lord will use me to bring Christ to the lost and revival for the church. Revival must come to the individual Christian's heart first - then spread. The ground is fertile and the church, pastors, singers, etc. must sow the seeds for a bountiful harvest in Christ".

Birth Place: Avery County, North Carolina
Birth Date: October 6th
Parents: Ernest and Juanita Penley
Spouse: Rosanne Sims Penley
Anniversary: April 20th
Children: Shannon Penley Brown (married to Scott Brown)
Grandchildren: Matthew Scott Brown, Erin Elizabeth Brown and Nicholas Wilson Brown
Church Affiliation: Baptist
Favorite Bible Verse: II Timothy 4:7
Person(s) Most Admired: My father was the most humble and faithful Christian I have ever known. His discipline and obedience was amazing. I also greatly admire my wife. She is kind, caring and helps others while seeking no praise or anything in return. She has a gentle and loving heart. Her life is her witness!