Bios

"Never Fade" is made up of five fine Christian men who are dedicated to the Lord and to ministering to hurting souls and the lost as well as to praising the Lord and spreading the Gospel through music.

These men have together found the rich fellowship of unity which comes from harmony of the Spirit as brothers in Christ join together to serve God.

The Group Consists Of:

Cecil McClellan; Acoustic Guitar, lead, Tenor vocals; Victory Church, Lakeland, FL
Roger Marlowe: Bass Fiddle, Harmonica, and Bass vocals; Harmony Baptist, Plant City, FL
Ernest Combee: Mandolin, Tenor, Bass, Baritone & Lead vocals; Northside Baptist, Lakeland, FL
Bill Keen: Dobro, Tenor & Lead vocals; River Hills Church of God, Tampa, FL
Charlie Hamrick: Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Baritone vocals, Skycrest Baptist, Clearwater, FL

Cecil McClellan had been praying for a long time for the Lord to let him get back into music. He had played it and loved it throughout his life. His neighbor, John Johnson (of Northside Baptist), told Cecil about Ernest Combee, a member of his church, who played the mandolin. John brought Cecil over to Ernie’s house to meet him and do a little "kitchen pickin." As the friendship developed, the three of them (John played the Spoons) played for seniors at several nursing homes, and they began to pray for a Bass player. Kathy, Cecil’s wife, had a friend, Faith Marlowe, whose husband, Roger, played Bass Fiddle. Roger had been praying that God would allow him to use his musical ability to serve the Lord. They got together--and it was good.

Next, a friend of Cecil’s uncle (Bud McClellan) invited him to a party in Plant City where some pickin’ was goin’ on. There, Cecil met Eddie Nelson, a Banjo picker; Bill Keen, a Dobro picker (who had voiced a strong desire to play Gospel music); and Jack Carr, age 74, a Fiddle player. They were all interested in forming a band to play Bluegrass Gospel for the Lord. Cecil invited all of them plus John & Ernie to go to his house to play music for his parents who were visiting from West Virginia–and it was VERY GOOD!

John called the band "The Polk County Boys" at first, then Cecil came up with the name, Never Fade. The bible teaches us that a Christian is like a rose in beauty and splendor, but unlike a rose in one respect. Unlike a rose, a Christian's inner man never fades nor sees corruption. A Christian lives forever to enjoy the Rose of Sharon - eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Since that time, God has awesomely blessed the group, and the dates for concerts have poured in. Never Fade has been very busy, and the guys are loving it! It’s like a dream come true for most, and certainly an answer to many, many prayers. A great time in the Lord is had by all.

A most unlikely development–Dr. Shirley Combee (Ernie’s retired College Professor wife) was asked to run the sound board, a Peavey 2012, about which she did not have a CLUE! Talk about prayers! Learning little by little, she praises God for giving her an "ear" for balance and a "heart" to do His will.

The Fiddle player, Jack, has since resigned; and Ted Locke (well-known across many states for his great fiddlin’) joins the band when he is not playing with his other band. In 2003, Eddie Nelson left the band due to extended out-of-the-state work requirements; and Charlie Hamrick, of Clearwater, joined Never Fade on the Banjo.

Never Fade has been together for more than 10 years and has played over 500 concerts in several states (including Nashville, Tennessee). Never Fade plays mainly in the central Florida area, with a primary focus on churches.

Cecil McClellan	Roger Marlowe	Ernest Combee
Bill Keen	Band Pictures	Charlie Hamrick