Welcome to Dr. Audie Lee Rhodes' web site.

I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us.

Martin Luther .

Dr. Rhodes' Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrating 40 Years in Performance

 

 

Born in rural Kentucky, Dr. Audie Lee Rhodes, an inspirational concert pianist who has traveled and performed concerts worldwide, is returning to the road with a unique "worship experience" with his concerts in churches of all faiths. Although heavily influenced by southern gospel and country music of the region, he was trained as a classical pianist and later introduced to the pipe organ. With an insatiable thirst for music, he tutored with three piano teachers and two organ teachers concurrently. Each teacher had a genre that contributed to the diversity of music knowledge taught to him. Mrs. Margaret Shepard at the Preparatory School of Music in Cluthe Hall gave him the foundation of the classics. Lillian Crawford, a former nightclub and cocktail pianist, added 'flair' to his playing, and of course Dr. Harry Bell, whom he considered his greatest influence, taught him that music was a language of it's own and all music, whether classical or country and everything between, contributed equally to the world. He studied pipe organ with Dr. Ralph Waterman, again being influenced by the great masters, but also learned the techniques of the electric organ (as the were called in those days) by Dr. Emelio Forondo.

MUSIC WITH A DEDICATION:

As he was growing up listening to performances by great concert artists on the radio, Dr. Audie was also influenced by the music he heard played by the local musicians of Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Little did he realize that one day he would play piano and organ in the United States Marine Corps and later on international stages. The church has always been an important part of Dr. Audie's life and the music of worship. He considers himself fortunate to have been able to see music for the church in a different aspect when he was selected to attend studies of liturgical jazz under Dave Brubeck at Indiana University School of Music on a Methodist scholarship. Having studied at New England and Indiana University, and his work in the church directed him to his field of Liturgical Music.

Dr. Audie and his wife Kimberly, are members of McFerrin United Methodist Church in Hilham TN, where until recently he was the Director of Worship and pianist. It is their home church. The most difficult part of serving is when you are called to another location. It is like leaving family, and it never gets easier. But God has a purpose for us in the New Orleans area and we are sure he will make his will known shortly. Kimberly is teaching in the St. Bernard Parish School System and Dr. Audis is continuing God's work through his music. He is once again scheduling concerts, and, as always, they will be scheduled as to not conflict with Sunday service at our new home church. Also Dr. Rhodes is teaching, dividing his time between Choice International School of Performing Arts in LaPlace, LA , where is is Dean of Faculty, private lessons, and educational outreach programs in schools. Otherwise, giving what he calls "My Tribute to the Majesty" plays a combination of great hymns, worship songs, classical and contemporary music at the churches he is welcomed into. His piano has no language barriers.

But this remarkable virtuoso doesn't just give a concert, each of his performances has a dedication to the Majesty of God. His concert tour title is a combination of two great contemporary works in today's worship music. "MY TRIBUTE" by Andre Crouch and the magnificent "MAJESTY" by Jack Hayford. In addition, his country background shines through with such favorites as "JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE", "PEACE IN THE VALLEY ", and "IN THE GARDEN". Another well received performance given by Dr. Rhodes is aptly called "I Didn't Know That Was Classical Music". An evening of beloved melodies from movies, theatre, military, and even commercials. Believing that children hold the keys to the future of our churches, Dr. Audie always has something special in his concerts just for them.