Brothers McClurg on Jazz, Community, and Joining In The Sound

After I received Brothers McClurg's debut album, "Join In The Sound," I was privileged to  get in touch with Anthony Hoisington, one-half of the christian folk/country duo. He cleared up some time to talk to The New Worship Leader Blog about the band's heart, mission, and focus.

Courtesy of Integrity Music

NWL: So can you tell us how Brothers McClurg came to be?

Anthony: About six or seven years ago, my brother Chris and I started a band for the college group of the church we served at. It was called Relevant. We wanted to write songs based on what was going on. We decided to release a worship record. We wanted to raise money because we're very active in outreach to Buffalo's inner city. We called the record Relevant Worship. Some time later, we played at a festival and met with some people from Integrity. Brothers McClurg falls under the umbrella of Relevant Worship. 

NWL: Why Brothers McClurg?

Courtesy of Integrity Music

Anthony: (laughs) People wonder why our name is Brothers McClurg when our last name is actually Hoisington. Our grandfather, parents, aunts and uncles were a part of a Southern Gospel group called the McClurg Family Singers. Growing up, we spent a lot of time touring all over in a little motor home, just following them around. Our grandfather is a huge influence on our lives. He's a pastor at a church and leads a music ministry at nursing homes. We chose the name as a tribute to our family and the legacy they've passed onto us.

NWL: Would you say your Southern Gospel background has influenced your sound?

Anthony: You know, the more I think of it, it is certainly a foundation for us. We really work our harmonies; quite often we're singing entire songs together. That's definitely a mark of Southern Gospel music--those layered vocals. I've never thought of it like that, but now that we're talking, I can certainly see that.

NWL: Who are your other musical influences?

Anthony: During the record, we listened to a lot of jazz music. What I love about it is the improvisation within a song. I think worship music has a lot of that same element, although worship music tends to be a lot simpler and maybe a little more inviting to the listener. We listened to a local band up here called Snarky Puppy. And Steely Dan's lead singer Donald Fagen released a record called "I Fly," which is just amazing. Also Ryan Adams, stuff like that.

NWL: Where do you get your coffee, and what do you order when you do?

Anthony: (laughs) I'm a Starbucks guy myself. I generally get the caramel macchiato, like a grande or something. If I'm counting calories that day, I guess it would be a skinny.

NWL: You are a duo, but Brothers McClurg is also a collective of sorts. Can you tell us about the band?

Courtesy of Integrity Music

Anthony: Yeah, we really have a cool network. It's a lot of worship leaders that we've grown up with and know really well. We try to be really intentional with getting musicians that are already connected to a local church. My brother and I do a lot of stuff just him and I, but we also play a lot with our friends. When we do go play, it's great because it's friends from highschool, who are now all really talented worship leaders leading at their own churches. 
Psalm 8 says, "Who is man that you are mindful of him?" and I totally agree. I mean, we've been able to cowrite with some really great songwriters, likeDavid and Leslie (All Sons and Daughters) and Paul Baloche. We're just two guys from New York, pretty blue collar (laughs). It's amazing that God has given us the privilege to write with people who have helped shape us. 

NWL: Your album, "Join In The Sound," really explores this reality of all creation coming together to worship God. From Earth as creation, to us as created beings. From a songwriting standpoint, what is it about this "joining" that resonates so much?

Anthony: That's a great question. I think for us it is a huge theme throughout the record. I feel that God has given us a voice and all of creation has a sound that it's able to contribute. We all have something to say. Unfortunately, some people go through their whole lives never being able to express what God has given them to say; spiritually, I mean. Our album wants to encourage people that all of us have a place at the table to contribute to the conversation that's going on in giving God praise. Does that make sense?

Courtesy of Integrity Music

NWL: Definitely. You said you and your brother wrote music to help meet and address the needs at the local church you served at. What would you say to a worship leader, who wanted to write for their specific church body?

Anthony: It's all about about being in that community. Being plugged in, serving somewhere on a regular basis is where I get a lot of my thoughts from as a songwriter. Being able to dialogue, see what God is doing in you and people around you. As worship leaders I think we're called to connect with people, gather information, help address the needs, and lead with that in mind. Being able to write music for the local church has a huge affect on being able to write for the global church. Otherwise you can lose touch. To me, as annoying as it could be, there's something about seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not just rolling in and never having to worry about the comment cards on Monday (laughs). It's real. It makes you a better worship leader, and a better songwriter, for sure.


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Special thanks to Anthony Hoisington for the awesome interview and his heart for leading worship. Also, thanks to Shannon Walker from Integrity Music.

If you haven't already heard, Brothers McClurg debut album, "Join In The Sound" is available everywhere. 

Adrian