From the youngest to the oldest, the entire McNeill family is part of their Americana Music ministry and that is one of many things that makes them so unique. Each person plays a distinct and important role in the ministry. Whether they are loading in, setting up mic stands, ringing out the room, running sound, cleaning the bus, singing, playing instruments, or watching the younger ones, each person is actively involved in each and every tour. This is a journey the McNeills never foresaw, but one that has been embraced by the whole family.
Dad (aka Chris): Plays the keys and bass, sings tenor and bass, helps with load in/load out, sets the sound, writes song, arranges, helps keep the bus in shape, and drives the bus.
Mom (aka Michelle): Plays the mandolin, sings soprano and alto, helps with sound set up, handles the booking, keeps the calendar up to date, does the web and graphic design, handles all of the behind the scenes communications and paperwork, handles social media, does video editing, writes song, helps with arranging, and generally manages all of the "going ons".
Caylie: Plays the guitar, sings soprano and alto, is the reason this ministry began, handles coordinating the wardrobe for tours, checks to make sure each person has done their "bus duty" (checking to make sure instruments are on board, clothes are washed and packed, both shoes for everybody are present and accounted for, food for the trip is bought and on board, etc...), writes songs, arranges, helps with social media, is in charge of "bustastrophe updates", and helps with booking.
Landon: Plays the cajon and fiddle (and anything else he wants), sings tenor and bass, carries the weight (literally!) of load in and load out of all the of the equipment, is the master Tetris player and make all of the equipment fit under the bus, is the master cord roller (there's a right way to do it so that the cords don't turn into a tangled mess!), and helps with bus maintenance.
Grace: Plays the piano, sings high harmony in the "Little Girls Quartet", helps get younger siblings dressed and hair done for services, helps with load in and sound setup, runs the product table, and helps watch the kids during a service.
Brianna: Plays the banjo, sings low harmony in the "Little Girls Quartet", helps get younger siblings dressed and hair done for services, is in charge of loading in and setting up the product table, runs the product table, and runs sound during the concert/service.
Hannah: Is learning the acoustic/electric guitar, sings lead in the "Little Girls Quartet", helps get younger siblings dressed and hair done for services, cleans the bus and watches the young ones during load in/sound setup/check, and does makeup for the younger girls.
Samuel: Is learning the drums, sings in our "children's choir", is the resident joke teller, helps load equipment in/out, and is in charge of running electricity and setting up monitors during sound check.
Madelynn: Sings in our "Little Girl's Quartet", helps with load in, helps set up the product table, and is learning to play guitar.
Ayden: Actively helps with load in, load out and sound check, and sings in our children's choir. He is still choosing his instrument, but is leaning towards the fiddle.
Sarah: Sings in the children's choir, sings a solo, and aspires to play the ukulele.
It's all in the family and they like it that way.
