Praise Team
Don Poythress
Worship Leader
Don is a noted songwriter, having songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sir Cliff Richard, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and Stephen Curtis Chapman, among many others.
Don recently scored a number one hit on the Country charts with the single “I’m a Little More Country Than That” recorded by Easton Corbin. He has also penned the Dove Award-winning Song “The Promise” as sung by The Martins. It was awarded top recorded song in the Southern Gospel Category. He also wrote the Dove Award nominated song “Lay It Down” by Jaci Velasquez and the London Philharmonic.
Shawn Pody
Assistant Worship Leader
Shawn hails from Ruston, LA. Over his 30+ years in Nashville, Shawn has toured with many artists, including Grammy Award-winning Jerry Reed, and country star, Trace Adkins. Shawn has produced many albums in his studio (such as Front Porch Hymns and Walk in the Light) for himself and for various other artists.
He and wife Kelly have 4 grown, married, children.
Anita Crosby
Vocalist
Anita, originally from Mobile, AL, has opened for acts such as Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ray Stevens, as well as touring and performing solo concerts.
She is employed at eviCore Healthcare as a Senior IT Business Analyst.
Anita has been a member of the ALC Worship Team for more than 20 years.
Leah Knotts
Vocalist
Kenna West
Vocalist
Kenna is a recording artist, Multi-Dove Award-winning songwriter, and a five-time “Songwriter of the Year.” With over 100 “Song of the Year” nominations and 27 wins to her credit, she has also garnered eight BMI Awards for songs like “Say Amen” and “Even Me.” In 2021, Kenna released her debut project with the Crossroads Label Group, entitled “A Reason for Hope.”
Her singular goal, whether writing songs, teaching or standing on a concert stage, is to “creatively communicate” the Gospel.
Rachel Manning
Vocalist
Rachel grew up singing with her musical family. She began leading worship herself while doing missionary work in Panamá, Central America for 4 years with her family, where God cultivated a true heart of worship in her.
She moved to Nashville in 2019 when she was 18 years old, and fell in love with the Church family at Abundant Life. She also serves alongside her husband, Samuel Manning, Youth Pastor at Abundant Life and enjoys singing with the youth Praise Team as well on Wednesday nights.
Bill Hullett
Lead Guitar
Bill is an A-Team session player, and has played on records by George Jones, Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams Jr., Martina McBride, Loretta Lynn, Radney Foster, Marty Robbins, Bobby Vinton, Brenda Lee, Billy Joe Royal…and countless others. He was a staff guitarist on TNN’S “Music City Tonight” TV Show for its entire run of 5 nights a week for 3½ years, playing guitar behind such music icons as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Glenn Campbell, Chet Atkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Reba McIntire, Aaron Neville….way too many to list.
Debbie Hullett
Bass
Debbie is a vocalist and bassist and songwriter. She has opened for, performed with, and/or written songs for such heavyweights as Gene Watson, The Statler Brothers, Bill Monroe, Johnny Rodriguez, Hank Thompson, Sammi Smith, B.J. Thomas, Melba Montgomery, Red Simpson, Jan Howard, Bobby Bare, Freddy Weller, and Brian Collins, among many, many others.
Bill and Debbie have been married since 1970, and worked in the music industry throughout their years of marriage. They have raised three children and find great joy in them and their grandchildren.
Tony Paoletta
Pedal Steel Guitar/Dobro
Tony moved to Nashville thirty plus years ago, to work in Patty Loveless’s touring band. He has also toured with and/or recorded with The Lost Trailers, THe Dixie Chicks, Luke Bryan, and Travis Tritt.
Tony has been at Abundant Life Church sine the early 90s, and is a great part of the worship band.
Chris Spencer
Keyboards
Chris is a native of Bentonville, AR, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, with a degree in accounting.
He is married to Dianne, and they enjoy entertaining and travel.
He has been a member of ALC since 2007. Chris serves as a deacon, as well as being part of the ALC Worship Team.
Donny Howard
Piano
Donny was born in San Antonio, Tx, and has been in the Nashville area since about 1980. Donny is married to Nita, with 2 daughters.
Donny toured 15+ years as pianist/vocalist in commercial cover bands, and then with nationally known recording artists, such as Sylvia, Jim Glaser, Helen Cornelius and Reba McEntire. For 20 years, he taught elementary music and band for Robertson County schools, as well as serving as pianist, organist, vocalist, choir director and/or worship leader for the various of churches he attended.
He found ALC through Ricky Skaggs.
Mike Lonas
Percussion, House Sound and Recording
Mike and wife Pam are East Tennessee Hillbillies and moved to middle Tennessee in 1990. Mike is an Air Force veteran and both Mike and Pam have rewarding careers with the Federal Aviation Administration.
They have two sons and a granddaughter.
Mike plays drums and percussion in the worship team.
Kerry West
Sound
Kerry grew up on the road with his mother, the legendary singer Dottie West. After running sound for her and working in studios across Nashville, he now works as Head Sound Tech on tour for Ronnie Milsap.
Kerry has his own studio, West-House, and is married to Kenna Turner West, and they have one son, Graham.