May 2005 ~ Featuring Cricket Lee
For several years, the Dixie Echoes have been performing at the Emerald Coast Southern Gospel Music Associations' Annual Jubilee Weekend in Panama City, FL. We've had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists like the Gann Brothers, Tammy Kirkland, Cricket Lee, and many other great talents from that area. It was at our first appearance there that I met a wonderful soloist named Cricket Lee. Since then, we've had Cricket at our Suwannee River Jubilee on several occasions and have had the honor of working with her at various other concerts.

Cricket was born on January 30, 1962, in Dothan, AL. She is the daughter of Lynda and Jim Blount, and Jack and Phyllis Deal. Cricket and her husband, Dennis, were married on March 17, 1985. They have two children, Sunny and John. Their daughter Sunny has one son, Tristn, and their son John and daughter-in-law Alisha, have a girl named Hunter. Cricket says that they are the most beautiful kids in the whole world.

When I asked when she was saved, Cricket replied, "When I was little, I walked the isle of the church, shook the preachers hand, and called it getting saved. I was raised in church, played piano for children's church, sang in the youth choir, and taught Sunday School, but didn't come to know the Lord until many years later on January 27, 1985, alone in my mothers living room. Dennis was my fiancé at the time and he had gotten saved in December and was so full of joy. I knew that I had never experienced what he had and so when I asked the Lord to fill me with His joy, He did. Dennis and I were married shortly after that, and we've been serving the Lord together ever since." Dennis and Cricket are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. When she's not traveling and singing, Cricket assists with the children's choir and sings in the adult choir.

One of Crickets favorite pastimes is cooking. She loves the holidays. Making cakes and giving them to friends is a joy for her. When I asked what she collects, I got a response that nobody has ever given. She says that she collects shoes, she has over 40 pair, and of course she wears them all. She doesn't just put them away and look at them.

One of her biggest influences was her granddaddy, Daddy Jim. She was not afraid of anything when he was around. He made her believe that she could do anything. He was the one who instilled in her the confidence to know that she could do whatever she put her mind to. He named her Cricket. It's not her real name, but it's what she's been called since she was 2 days old. Cricket has always admired Dottie Rambo. As a little girl, she would lie in the floor in front of her stereo and listen to the Rambos. Later, she got to meet Dottie when the Rambos came to her church. Cricket was on the banquet committee that served Dottie that night, so she made sure that her seat was right beside Dottie. She enjoyed talking and visiting with Dottie and says that it was so encouraging for her. Another influence is Nancy Harmon. She gave a concert at their church one night, and when she got in the altar and ministered the way she did, Cricket knew that was what she wanted to do.

Cricket has been singing most all of her life. Her first Southern Gospel singing job was in 1990 when she began singing with a local group from Cottonwood, AL, called New Life. It was a great experience and she learned so much about Gospel music and how to present a program. On the road, Cricket rides while her husband Dennis does the driving. She says that she can't figure out why he won't let her drive. When they get to the venue, he sets up sound and she sets up the product table. Cricket says that she couldn't do what she does without Dennis. He makes sure that she warms up her voice before every concert and that they have a time of prayer and preparation before the service.

From 1992-1999, Cricket hosted the Lady Anderson Gospel Cruise in Panama City, FL. That's where she met most of the people instrumental in her career. She met Calvin Gann and Tammy Kirkland, who later asked her to be a part of the Emerald Coast Southern Gospel Music Association.

A highlight in her career would be her new recording where Tony Gore joined her on a duet. Together, they sang the title cut, The Sparrow, and it has turned out to be one of the favorites of many people. The Down East Boys also joined her on a song called "King David Sings Southern Gospel". It is a catchy song, written by Jean Langrehr, talking about how Southern Gospel began back in the Bible days. Phil Cross, John Lemonis, Sandy Knight, and Big Mo are among the many anointed writers that shared their talent for this project that was produced by Calvin Gann with Paradigm records.

Visit Cricket online at: www.cricketlee.com. Her latest project 'The Sparrow' is one of my favorites. It can be ordered at her website or by sending $15 plus $2 for shipping to: Cricket Lee, PO Box 1443, Dothan, AL 36302. She is available for women's conferences, revivals, and concerts. For info about having Cricket at your church or venue, give her a call at 334-797-7208. Cricket has dedicated herself to serve God in a personal relationship and in service to others. I am a big fan of Cricket and I believe that once you meet and hear her sing, you will quickly become a fan.