August 2004 ~ Featuring Trecia Cisneros
When I was about fifteen years old, the local group that I played for was scheduled to sing at a concert in my hometown with the Lesters. Before that time, I didn't know much about other Southern Gospel groups. On the day of the concert, I had the opportunity to spend the day with Brian Lester, Ginger and Dan Pitchers, and all of their children. To this day, I remember how much I enjoyed the Lesters, how nice they were to a fifteen year old kid, and how I wanted to travel on a bus like theirs! At the time, their bus had a painting of Meremac Caverns on the side. This group has always had some of the most talented folks traveling with them. Brian Lester is one of my favorite lead singers, and his sister Ginger is my favorite alto singer! Since then, Ginger and her husband Dan have come off the road, and Brian's other sister Donna has filled the alto position.

In 1999, the Lesters added a twenty-year-old soprano singer that would soon be recognized as one of the best soprano singers in Gospel music. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to be around Trecia will have to tell you that she is a sincere and very talented young lady. I have known her for a few years, and have always enjoyed her singing. This month, I want to share a little about someone who I feel is Southern Gospels' Best Soprano Singer and best-kept secret!

Trecia Marie Cisneros was born on September 14, 1978 in San Luis Obispo, California. Her parents are Ed and Lois Cisneros. Her father is a farmer and her mother is a secretary at a funeral home. Her brother, Anthony, is 24 years old, married, and is a mortician. Her sister, Katie, is 17 years old and is still in high school (hopefully graduating soon!). Her hometown is Selma, California (near Fresno), but she now lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where the Lesters are based. She was saved in 1986 in Woodlake, California. Her home church is Twin Rivers Worship Center.

Trecia grew up listening to the Happy Goodmans, the Hinsons, and the Chuck Wagon Gang, because her grandmother had all of their LP's. Trecia says that her grandmother must have been a huge Southern Gospel fan. In the old-fashioned church that the Cisneros family attended, Trecia grew up hearing all of the old hymns, such as the Albert E. Brumley songs that the Lesters sing every night during their concerts.

In 1998, Trecia won first place at the Great Western Quartet Convention talent contest. This event was promoted by the National Quartet Convention, and is now called the Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival. One of the prizes of winning was getting to perform during the evening concert. Steve Weatherford, a friend of Trecia's, was at the convention. Steve and his wife coached Trecia all day for her evening performance. At the end of the day, she took the stage and sang her best in front of several thousand Southern Gospel fans. After the program, Steve and his wife, Standalee, told Trecia that if she wanted to sing Southern Gospel music, she needed to make a demo tape.

So, Trecia made the tape, on the condition that Steve would be the one to pass them out. She gave the tapes to him in November of 1998, and in March of 1999, Ginger Pitchers gave Trecia a call. Within two months, Trecia had finished the semester of college that she was in, and moved halfway across the country to start her new job as the soprano singer for the Lesters. In truth, after all was said and done, Trecia found out that Steve Weatherford only gave out one of her demo tapes, and it was to Brian Lester. Now that, my friend, is the Lord at work! After five years of being in the Lesters, Trecia states, "I can honestly say, I know that this is where I belong!"

Trecia enjoys staying on the computer, cross-stitching, and talking on the phone. Her biggest influences are Steve Weatherford, her mom, and her grandmother. On the road, her jobs include singing soprano and she is in charge of the product table.

If you would like to find out more about the Lesters, visit their website at: www.thelesters.com. If you are interested in having the Lesters at your church or event, you can contact Duane Garren at the Signature Artist Agency by calling 417-364-7400 or visit their website at: www.signaturebooking.com. One of my favorite places to sing with the Dixie Echoes is at Meremac Caverns, outside of Stanton, MO. The Lesters host this event each year and always have one of the best talent lineups of any Southern Gospel event! Do yourself a favor and take your family to this great concert, and keep a watch on the Lesters schedule to see when they might be in your area.