'Spiritual Road' is an operating identity for Dave Butcher and Carolyn Richards as they present their musical programs. Spiritual Road Ministries is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Ohio.
The following is presented to let you know of our experience and recognition from others. We do not do it to boast. We are simply informing you that we are experienced and professional in our presentations.
Dave and Carolyn have been married since 1998 and love spreading God's messages to the world. Both are award winning artists. They have been featured on several local and national TV shows including The Jimmy Snow Show, Music City Gospel Music Showcase, The Master's Music, and more.
Carolyn Richards is a national, and internationally known, recording artist that started out singing country music at the jams her parents held each weekend at her childhood home. She declined a recording perfomance contract with a major Nashville corporation because she had three children to raise at the time.
Once the children were grown, Carolyn began singing again. She has been nominated for several awards after releasing six songs to radio. Her first release did not make the charts. The others all charted in the top fifty. Two gospel songs were in the top ten [#6 & #7]. Glory Train Express magazine listed Carolyn as the #5 most played overseas gospel artist for two months in a row! That included traditional, southern, bluegrass, and country styles of gospel music. An independent organization listed her in the top 3% of country vocalists worldwide, number 96 of more than 3500. She placed better than many of the stars you know and love.
Carolyn's love for the Lord is apparent in her smile and enthusiam when singing gospel music. Carolyn has learned to trust the Lord completely for all her needs, both spiritually and worldly. As a result, she has experienced many blessings and even miracles.
Dave Butcher spent several years as a young man living as if there were no God. After a spiritual experience at the age of twenty five, his life changed dramatically. His testimonies may regard gambling, alcohol, lying, stealing, and cheating from those early years. He might also speak of the blessings and miracles he has experienced.
Dave prays his messages help people learn to live a good life and get closer to God. He has discovered that the closer you get to God, the better everything goes in life, regardless your personal trials and tribulations. His prayer is that you get to know that for yourself. The Lord is with you every step of the way. Incidently, he rarely wears that cowboy hat!
Career highlights include Carolyn co-hosting the Country Gospel Music Association's 2005 International Golden Heart Awards Show with once famous "Mercy" singer, James Marvell. It was during that show that Dave was elected "2005 International Reciter of the Year" and awarded his first Golden Heart.
In August of 2006 Carolyn was elected "New Female Artist of the Year" by her peers at the CGMA Eastern USA convention. She does not usually care to receive awards, but was honored by this one.
Dave has now been elected "Reciter of the Year" for four years in a row 2005-2008, and "Lyricist of the Year" for two years, 2007-2008, by the Eastern USA division of the CGMA. With one notable exception, Red Sovine's "Teddy Bear", Dave writes his own recitations. Check out our 'Music' link for more information. Go to our MySpace page to listen to a few.
"When I Met Stan" is a moving recitation written and related by Dave Butcher. It demonstrates that drugs can kill, even at a young age, and involves the resulting grief of a spouse, witnessing by people on a bus, gratitude, and faith. It is included on SR's Travelin' CD along with several other recitations and songs.
Dave's testimony recitation can be viewed by clicking here. It is his 'testimony in a nutshell'. He may recite this poem when Spiritual Road is doing something other than their testimony program. See the Programs link at left.
Dave and Carolyn have met and performed with many of the stars of country and gospel music. From 'Brooks & Dunn', Merle Haggard, and Bill Anderson, to Barbara Fairchild [1973 Country Song of the Year "The Teddy Bear Song" and 2008 inductee into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame], and from "The Tall Texan" Billy Walker to Dottie Rambo, whose sudden deaths impacted them greatly, Dave & Carolyn found many to be loving, caring saints of God. They discovered that many country stars go gospel in the long run. Many include gospel songs on their country albums.
Updated January 2010 _
