Roger Marlowe
Bass Fiddle
I was born the first time in 1946 in Conway, South Carolina to Eddie and Ruth Blackwell Marlowe. I was the fourth of four children. My family moved to Hopewell, Virginia when I was two years of age. I grew up there and this is where I met my wife. We were "childhood" sweethearts. We married in 1971 after my stint in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970.
I can't remember ever not being interested in music. My dad had a Hawaiian guitar that I yearned to be able to play. I did get involved in secular bluegrass and rock and roll music in my teens.
I was born the second time in January 1971 at a Nazarene revival in Hopewell, Virginia. I then started playing in church along with my in-laws, Bill and Eunice Bradley. I was playing bass at this time.
I worked my entire career in the telephone industry. I retired from Verizon in August of 2005. My wife and I are currently attending First Baptist Church At The Mall, in Lakeland, Florida.
In April of 1998 my mother went home to be with the Lord. If there ever was a devout Christian it was surely her. I'm truly thankful for a praying mother. Without her prayers, I hate to think where I might be today.
In August of that same year I met Cecil McClellan. He was employed at McKeel Academy where my wife works. He informed my wife in the course of conversation one day that he was trying to get a bluegrass Gospel band together and he was looking for a bass player. She then told him of my prayers for finding someone to play bass with. What an answer to prayer! I was desiring a ministry in which to use my talent in and here was my answer! I met with Cecil and the rest of the band shortly after that and the rest is history.
Being involved in the Never Fade band has literally changed my life. I'll always be thankful to our Lord and Savior for bringing our lives together. I have met so many new friends through this wonderful ministry and have visited so many wonderful churches. It has just been blessing after blessing. God is so good and faithful!
My father became ill in late 2003. He had never heard Never Fade in person. He dearly loved the music and wanted so bad to hear us. I asked the band to consider going to Virginia to play a concert for him and my relatives. They graciously agreed for which I'm deeply indebted. We were able to get to Virginia for the concert in June of 2004. Unfortunately Dad passed on in April before we could play for him. But, thank goodness, he found the Lord a few years earlier, and I'm sure I'll see him and mother again one day! But the trip was not for nought! My brother came to Jesus at the close of the concert. Praise the Lord!
My personal motto is the "Golden Rule". I try my best to treat others as I'd like to be treated.
Let's all meet "over yonder".
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14