Jericho Road, a Findlay, Ohio based Southern Gospel quartet, was founded
in May 1998 by Russ and Betty Brauneller. For over two years Russ and Betty traveled as a duo spreading the Word through
their music, but Betty always wanted the harmony of a quartet. In November of 2000 Jesse Davila (Findlay, OH) joined the group.
Originally, Jesse was to be the soundman for the group, but one night at practice he picked up a microphone and from that
point forward he has been singing bass for Jericho Road.
The group traveled as a trio for about two years and then
they discovered Joy and Daryl Walker. Joy joined the group to sing the alto part while her husband Daryl
ran the sound system. However, about a year later, Joy and Daryl stepped down from the group. The group went back to traveling
as a trio for about a year.
On the last day of the 2004 Hancock County Fair the Gospel Pavilion was holding its
annual talent search contest. Ernie Pagal (originally from the Philippines, but now living in Findlay, OH) entered and won
the contest. Ernie caught the eye of Betty and it wasn't too long after that in January 2005 Ernie joined the group
to sing the tenor part. Now Jericho Road was a quartet once again!
Five months later on May 3rd, 2005, while in
the middle of recording their sixth project "Are You Ready", founding member Betty Brauneller unexpectedly
fell ill and went home to be with the Lord. With this tragic loss there was talk about disbanding the group, but a decision
by all remaining members was made to continue onward as this is what Betty would have wanted the group to do.
Several
weeks later Gail Long (Findlay, OH) joined the group. Gail traveled with the group for over a year, sang
on the groups 7th project (Because He Lives), and even did some preaching at a few concerts before stepping down
to spend more time with family.
It wasn't very long before the Lord stepped in and filled the void with Dan
Clark (Upper Sandusky, OH) in the fall of 2006. The group had seen Dan perform at several events before, but one
particular concert at Shoey's Cool Creation in Tiffin, OH was the deciding factor in asking Dan to join Jericho Road. The
love Dan had for Jesus, and the singing Dan did for the Lord's glory, was very evident.
In September 2007
Russ Brauneller announced that he would be stepping down from Jericho Road. After nearly ten years with Jericho
Road Russ decided that it was time for him to slow down and spend more time with his children, grandchildren
and to pursue other interest he had. From the time Russ retired Jericho Road traveled as a trio for two years prayfully
awaiting the day when the Lord would bring their fourth member. During that time the trio produced two projects "Heavenly
Road Home" and "Live - An Evening of Singing and Worship".
Though, as you might have guessed, the Lord
did answer their prayer and in September 2009 Chris Horne (Kenton, OH) officially joined Jericho Road, singing the high tenor
part. Chris, who was a former member of the national group, The Skyline Boys, brought a lot of experince to Jericho Road.
So today Jericho Road now travels as a quartet once again and it is Jesse, Dan, Ernie and Chris' mission
to continue the rich tradition of spreading the gospel through song that has been set by Russ and Betty. They
make up today's members of Jericho Road and it is their prayer, that through their singing, souls can be brought to know
the Lord, Jesus Christ!
