The Tennessee-based group had an unconventional start for a band so rooted in the gospel music scene. Lily Fishman Isaacs was born shortly after World War II in Germany to Holocaust survivors. She was raised in a Jewish home in New York City, and did not convert to Christianity until adulthood, in 1971. She and then husband Joe Isaacs decided to use their shared love of music for God and began performing in churches.
The couple never planned on forming an official music ministry, but felt led to share their talents.
“When you’re living in it, it’s not something you wake up one morning and say, ‘Wow, this is gonna be it,’ it’s something that happens gradually. It certainly is a gift from God,” Isaacs said of her 35 years of music ministry with her family.
Although she and Joe Isaacs divorced 14 years ago, Lily and her children are still touring full time, sharing their faith and life experiences with audiences across the country. Lily Isaacs said creating a family band was never her plan, but Ben, Sonya and Rebecca all grew up singing and playing with their parents. The group evolved throughout the years based on family circumstances.
“We’ve been very blessed to be able to be a family group for over 35 years,” Isaacs said.
Now the tour bus usually includes several grandchildren, depending on school schedules, and The Isaacs have been known to bring the kids on stage.
The children will grow up in a family of proficient songwriters and musicians. Lily Isaacs said the family write 90 percent of the music they perform, something she believes resonates with audiences.
“The songwriting that my kids do is definitely a reflection of the lives we live, and a lot of the songs are very transparent, and you can always tell a song has been written out of an experience one of us has had,” Isaacs said.
Because of the family’s Christian values, they believe their music is a tool they can use to help others, by spreading the story of Jesus Christ.
“If you’ve lived it, you can really tell it. It’s not superficial anymore. It becomes very personal,” Isaacs said.
For more information on The Isaacs, visit www.isaacsmusic.blogspot.com.
Contact Rachel Parsons Gilliam at rparsons@winchestersun.com, or follow her on Twitter, @ParsonsRachel.
