Joyful Noise

Joyful Noise, a down-home gospel group, shares God's love and truth in up to four-part harmony. Although using a variety of music styles, Joyful Noise does not stray far from their bluegrass, country and traditional southern gospel roots. Joyful Noise reaches hearts by reviving old-time standards (“in the old-time way”) and singing testimonies through God given originals. Playing their own instruments without adding accompaniment tapes adds to the simple honesty Joyful Noise presents.

Art Irvin (formerly with W T Pressley and Harmony) sings harmony while playing banjo. Art also adds harmonica fills. Art and his wife, Marla, have over ten years experience in musical evangelism (mostly in Texas).

Valerie Durgin sings harmony or lead while playing the mandolin or tambourine. Valerie picked up the mandolin in November of 1994 without ever playing any instrument before and this is her first time in a traveling gospel group.

Clint Durgin (also formerly with W T Pressley and Harmony) sings lead or harmony while playing the acoustic guitar. Clint, husband of Valerie, also writes most of the group's original songs such as "Jonah (had a whale of a time)" that placed 8th in the professional song division Gospel/Contemporary Christian category of the 1988 International Music City Song Festival contest.

Bob Titus sings bass harmony or lead while playing the stand-up acoustic bass. Bob also adds harmonica leads. Although 13 years a church song leader and eight years playing bass guitar with a church worship team, this is also Bob's first venture with a gospel group.

Maria Irvin, wife of Art, runs the soundboard and sings lead on a few songs. In addition to Joyful Noise, Art and Marla run a homeless shelter in downtown Wichita, Kansas .

You can see and hear the sincere love of Jesus in every Joyful Noise song. With God as the source of their Joy and talents, this group makes more than Noise about salvation in Jesus Christ.