Biography
LakeSide is an acoustic gospel group located in Madisonville, Tennessee. We desire to spread the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Our music is a blend of Southern, Country, and Bluegrass Gospel styles. We compose our music in a manner that will touch the generations from young children through senior adults. We have two fiddle players, Jimmy Sims and Amanda Thomas, that alternate traveling with us. We typically run five piece instrumentation (fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar and bass guitar) and compliment that with smooth harmonies to present the good news of Jesus Christ!
LakeSide started playing in churches throughout East Tennessee in 1995 as a family group called "The Gospel Bluegrass Boys." In 2007, due to some lineup changes, the group adopted the name "LakeSide." This is a group of individuals committed to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They desire to share their personal testimonies and songs to all who will listen. They love to tell others what the Lord has done for them and have a great time doing it!
Our prayer is for the Lord's will to be completed in each of our lives. We hope you are blessed through our testimonies and music. Please review our website schedule, store, and latest posts. Thank you! ~LakeSide
Greg Blankenship
I play mandolin and sing lead/harmony vocals for LakeSide. I love to sing and play in this group because we all view it as a ministry to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have played bluegrass music since I was 10 years old with my brother and friends. My primary instrument has always been the mandolin, because no one else played it, but I do love the mandolin. I am married to my wonderful wife “Ann” and we have two children “Megan” and “Lucas.” My wife and I are members of Vonore Baptist Church. My family is great; they are the ones that truly sacrifice for me to participate in this ministry. I love the Lord and my family, and only hope that I will be able to continue the ministry provided by LakeSide. The sole purpose of this ministry is to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ in song and in testimonies! Email: greg.blankenship@yahoo.com
Jackie Cummings
I play bass and sing lead/ harmony vocals for LAKESIDE. This is the first gospel Bluegrass group I’ve played with. I’ve played music for over 20 years with various groups, from Nashville to Atlanta. I was 12 years of age when I gave my life to Jesus Christ, and things of the world lead me astray. But, in 2010 I was at a point in my life that something wasn’t right and one night Jesus changed the path I was on and turned me back to HIM. It is a great honor to share the same path of life with these guys of LakeSide, with their love for the Lord. I am 50 years young and have a loving wife (Kim) of 11 years who shares the same passion for our Lord and Savior. We are from Tunnel Hill, Georgia and attend Bethesda Baptist Church. Email: johnkimcummings@charter.net
John Robert Freels
I play banjo/guitar and sing lead/harmony vocals for LakeSide. This is the first group I have ever been part of and I count it an honor to play with these awesome men of God! I truly appreciate the opportunity to spread God’s word through song with these guys. I am a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sunbright, TN and was saved at early age of 7. I have played guitar since a very early age and started the banjo at 13. Seems like many people love the banjo and it is a pleasure for me to be part of a group that can use my talents to up lift our Lord and Savior. It has been a dream of mine to play for a gospel band for a long time. I hope that my life and music can be a blessing to younger people, it is important to use your talents and abilities for God service. I hope to continue to spread God’s Word through song and music.