"Victory Strings" came together as a group of musicians at church, playing together during church services, and afterwards sitting around and picking for fun. Brother Curtis, the music director, began sticking around to listen and sing along. It didn't take long for us to begin getting together at each other's homes for fellowship and music, usually once or twice a month. From there, we began receiving invitations to sing at various occasions and began to practice more often. We were invited to sing at Share-a-Thon for WTBI in November of 2004, and decided to name ourselves "Victory Strings". "Victory in Jesus" is our theme and strings represent our bluegrass gospel style. Later we invited brother Donnie Baker and his wife to join in the fellowship and music, and they became a part of us.
Victory Strings is a unique group. With several singers in the group, we mix up the vocals so you never know who will sing the lead and parts. Sometimes Victory Strings accompany the Baker Family, comprised of brother Donnie, his wife Jean, a daughter Dawn, and a son Kevin. Usually brother Robbie and his wife Kim will sing a song or two. And sometimes brother Curtis, his son Aaron, and daughter Carrie will sing one.
We believe the Lord has put Victory Strings together and has opened doors for us to minister the gospel in song. "To God be the Glory."
Brother Curtis Limbaugh: Church and music has been a major part of my life early on. I was saved at the age of eight in the summer of 1967. My family attended Corinth Baptist Church in Easley.
After graduation from Newberry College in 1981, I have served as music director in several churches: Cateechee Baptist Church in Norris, Pendleton Second Baptist in Pendleton, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Pickens, and Victory Baptist Church in Easley. In 2000, with the Lord's direction in my life, I began classes at Tabernacle Baptist College in Greenville, S.C.
In 2004, God put "Victory Strings" together. He has put a love for bluegrass gospel music in my heart. I am thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of this ministry as we endeavor to be a blessing to God's people with Christ-honoring music. My desire is to serve God in the capacity He designs for my life.
God has blessed my life in so many ways. He saved me at an early age. He's given me a wonderful wife of 26 years. Her name is Debbie. He's given us a wonderful family - a son, Aaron, who is 22 years old, and a daughter, Carrie, who is 19. We currently attend White Horse Heights Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, where I serve as Assistant Pastor and Song Leader. Our Pastor is Reverend Mark Alexander.
Brother Donnie Baker and his family have been around gospel music all their lives. Brother Donnie has been brought up in church from an early age, thanks to his parents, and has known the Lord for many, many years. His parents also sang gospel music, so Brother Donnie was born with music in his soul, and he has a goodly heritage!
He lives in Easley with his wife, Jean, and has two children, Dawn and Kevin. The Baker Family have been singing together for many years, and we are happy to have Brother Donnie (and his family) as a part of our ministry! Thanks, Brother Donnie, for your friendship; you and your family are truly a blessing!
Brother Robbie Nix: My uncle used to pick me up and take me to church. I remember driving home one night, he asked me if I wanted to get saved, and he pulled the car over--Jesus saved me on the side of the road in February, 1982. God eventually brought me to live with my uncle, aunt, and two cousins (whom I love as a father, mother, and two sisters). He gave me a song titled “When I Didn’t Love You”, which talks about how much God loves me, even when I didn’t love Him. Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. Jesus knew that night how many times I would fail Him, but HE SAVED ME ANYWAY!
That little spot on the side of the road is less than 5 miles from where I live today with my wife and two daughters (God has blessed me immeasurably). We attend West End Baptist Church in Easley, SC, and we usually pass by that spot on the way to and from church. My uncle is in heaven now, and every time I pass by, I can’t help but think of him, and the night he introduced me to my Savior.
Brother Steve Bell plays the banjo and the mandolin, and he is a charter member of the group. Steve lives in Pelzer with his wife and son, and we enjoy having him around.
Brother Steve does have a tendency to blame the guitar player for everything, but the rest of us know better. Perhaps one day, he will, too. Thanks for your friendship, Steve! You and your family mean a lot to us!
We want to give a very special thanks to Brother Mike Wilson, from Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Pickens, SC. Mike, thank you so very much for playing bass--you are much appreciated! May God richly bless you, and thanks so much for being a part of our ministry and uplifting the name of Jesus in song!
