Only two years into his full-time solo career, and yet
this multi-talented artist has garnered dozens of awards, appeared on
numerous television specials and stays booked-solid months in advance! Such
is the life and career of Ernie Haase. A full-time musician for the past
fourteen years, Ernie realizes that his situation is very unique. Not many
artists can say they have toured with an internationally know group (The
Cathedrals ), and then succeed as a full time soloist.
Such a change in his life is not without its challenges. "There were times
in the first few months that I felt very alone," states Haase. "I jump on
planes alone, wake up in hotel rooms alone - a far cry from just a few years
ago when I would be on a tour bus with at least four other group members!
But you know what, Ernie continues... I’ve never really been alone- because
of what the Lord has given me through His Word. He’s always with me!"
Ernie began singing professionally in 1986, at the young age of 21, when he
joined the gospel group, Redeemed, headed by singer/songwriter Squire
Parsons. Redeemed toured extensively throughout the US and Canada as a
respected talented group of young men. It was then that Ernie realized his
calling as a full time traveling evangelist, singing and proclaiming the
Good News!
In 1990, Ernie joined Southern Gospel’s most elite and prestigious quartet,
The Cathedrals. Being tenor for that group earned Ernie a handful of awards,
and placed him not only on thousands of stages throughout the land, but
instantly gave him a special place in the hearts of thousands of gospel
music followers...as a role model to the young, and as a torch-bearer of
traditional gospel music to the aged.
When the Cathedrals decided to retire in 1999, Ernie felt the Lord leading
him into full time solo work. His concert calendar for 2000 was already
filling up months before the group’s time of ministry had even ended- an
obvious sign that the Lord was already faithfully carving a road for His son
to travel on.
In 1999, Ernie created the E-team, a free internet newsletter that his
listeners can subscribe to by going to his website (www.erniehaase.com). To
date, he has over 13,000 members that he sends testimonies, devotions, and
‘on the road updates’ to. He also sends his concert itinerary from month to
month, which has greatly increased the size of his audiences. This has been
a surprisingly great success for witnessing to the masses and keeping in
touch with the folks that come to his concerts. A personal touch that Ernie
masters.
Ernie recently called on his E-team to help him with the recording of his
newest project, Songs Of The Savior. Last year, he asked his E-team to email
him their favorite songs, hymns and southern classics. Songs Of The Savior
is the synopsis of their favorites.
Also included on Songs Of The Savior is a song written by Gospel Legend (and
Ernie’s father-in-law) George Younce. "I have always loved this song. It is
one of the songs that I included as a personal favorite" states Haase. This
project was released to the public on September 13, 2001, just two days
after the terrorist attack on America. Haase describes that week: " I was at
the National Quartet Convention when it all happened. That was a hard week.
I had to sing that night, but didn’t feel like singing at all! I looked down
at my new CD that had just arrived and saw the song "Yesterday". That was
the first song I sang that night. The song is over 30 years old, but the
message is timeless...."Yesterday things
were different
Today they’re different again.
Jesus will never change
Jesus is always the same!
Haase testifies that this song is bringing comfort and hope to those who
hear it in the midst of this rapidly changing world.
If you haven’t caught Ernie in a live concert, chances are good that you’ve
seen him on television or heard him on the radio. He’s appeared on such
shows as Nashville Now, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley, The Statler
Brother’s Show, Prime Time Country, The INSP Network, Swan’s Place, NBC’s
The Today Show, Turning Point with Dr David Jeremiah, Love Worth Finding
with Dr. Adrian Rodgers, 100 Huntley Street, and Life Today, just to name a
few. He has also been a guest soloist at both CBA and NRB conventions, the
Billy Graham Crusade, and a regular on the Gaither Homecoming videos. |
