Lily Isaacs' Will be Sharing Her Story

Lily Isaacs, the matriarch of the popular Dove award-winning Southern Gospel group The Isaacs, has signed a deal with New Leaf Publishing Group to publish her autobiography, You Don’t Cry Out Loud, in May 2014. The book will share her highly personal story, talking about growing up in a Jewish family, surviving breast cancer, and overcoming relationship struggles. Through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, God’s continual love, comfort, and strength kept her going.

Born in Germany after World War II to two Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors, Lily and her family moved to the United States when she was 2 years old. She grew up in the Bronx with a passion for the arts. Lily studied theater and performed on Off Broadway. In 1968, she recorded her first musical project, a folk album on Columbia Records with her friend Maria. The duo was known as "Lily and Maria." Two years later, she married Joe Isaacs, of the group the Greenbriar Boys. In 1971, the death of his brother brought the young couple to church. They accepted Jesus and quietly quit performing in nightclubs with their respective band. The two started singing together, exclusively in church venues. After the three kids were born, Joe had a group called the Calvary Mountain Boys. He later founded Joe Isaacs and the Sacred Bluegrass.

Ben, Sonya, and Becky recorded a project as the Isaacs Trio as children. As they got older, they could frequently be found sharing the stage with their dad's band. In 1986, Joe Isaacs and the Sacred Bluegrass dissolved and The Isaacs formed. Though Joe and Lily got divorced, they continued to perform together with the family. When she married John Bowman in 1994, he joined the group playing guitar and banjo.

After surviving breast cancer, Lily was the inspiration for a hit country song called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," which was co-written by her daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Jimmy Yeary. The song was recorded by Martina McBride.

The co-founder and current member of The Isaacs' 35-year career includes performances at the Grand Ole Opry and Gaither Homecoming Concerts. She has taken the stage with her family all over the world in countries like Canada, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Norway, Scotland and South Africa, performing in auditoriums, arenas, churches, civic centers, fair grounds and parks. The Isaacs have been nominated at and performed at the Dove Awards, IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association), the ICMA Awards (Inspirational Christian Country) and NQC (National Quartet Convention) Awards. Other illustrious venues include Carnegie Hall and the CMA Fan Fest (Country Music Fan Fest), as well as many professional sporting events, including an Astros/ Braves game, a Cincinnati Bengal's game, and a Nashville Predators Hockey game. The Isaacs have won over 7 Doves in various categories and have had several Grammy nominations during their career.

Tags : The Isaacs Southern Gospel Autobiography