Contemporary Christian artists Higher Ground are passionate about three things: God, family, and music. This group, also known as Robbie, Denise, Courtney, and Jadyn Grimes, brings all of these passions together and shares them with each audience they are privileged to stand before. Whether performing their hilarious skits, sharing an original song, leading worship, or speaking about what God's Word says about life's trials, Higher Ground seeks to encourage families by pointing them to Christ and showing them the importance of placing God first in their lives and in their family.

Following a long history of amateur and professional musical experiences, including theme parks, musical theater, and church groups, Robbie and Denise were brought to a place where God changed their focus from singing to please the crowd to singing to please their God. This husband and wife team has performed many genres of music in the past, but for them nothing compares to sharing God's love and faithfulness through song. Responding to God's call, Robbie and Denise formed Higher Ground in 1997. A few weeks after the completion of a demo project in 1999, Denise gave birth to their first child, Courtney. At that time, they felt God wanted their primary focus to be their family, so they continued serving the Lord locally. They performed in their home church, at several local churches and various community events, on several other artists' projects, and wherever else they felt they could minister without neglecting their family roles.

During 2003, God began showing Robbie and Denise how to merge their desire to sing for Him with their commitment to family. This couple believes others need to hear that God loves their family and desires to be at the center of it. They recognize that there are so many problems within families today, because families are not committed to each other the way God intended. They pray that through their words and music, God will draw families closer to Him and to each other.
 Several years ago, God allowed an opportunity for Higher Ground to expand their ministry focus. It came in the form of a disease. Denise was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune blood disease that has changed their lives forever. The family is now able to reach out to others who are struggling with chronic pain in their lives and encourage people who can not seem to find God in their struggles.

Their desire is that every person they meet leaves them with an understanding of the gift of salvation Jesus Christ has to offer and a renewed feeling of joy, peace, and commitment to Him and to their family. Together the Grimes family strives to do God's will and sing for His glory. Together they are reaching for a Higher Ground.

MUSIC STYLE: Higher Ground's own repertoire is primarily Contemporary Christian music; however, they incorporate a variety of styles into a Christ-focused worship service. The original music ranges from jazz to gospel to acoustic pop. Robbie's captivating tenor voice blends with Denise's powerful alto sound to produce a rich, passionate song. Courtney and Jadyn also add their own sweet sound to several songs as the family worships together. In addition to Higher Ground's dynamic harmonic vocals, this group also incorporates sign language, a corporate praise and worship time, dramatic family skits, and a time of sharing their testimonies into their service package. A primary focus of their ministry is strengthening families; thus each concert includes a time of focusing on families.

APPEARANCES: Robbie and Denise Grimes performed professionally in the secular arena for many years, including Paramount's King's Island, Union Station of Indianapolis, Old Indiana Fun Park, and Nashville Follies in Nashville, Indiana. During this time they performed in various musical revue shows, which included Southern Gospel, country, Broadway, and "Fifties" tunes. They also performed as a duo group for community events.

Since Higher Ground's formation they have been heard at many churches, camps, music festivals, women's conferences, on several other artists' projects, and other special events including the Indianapolis Indians "Chapel at the Ballpark" and the Crisis Pregnancy Center's Annual Fundraising Banquet. They have released two CD projects that can be found in many of the Christian bookstores around the Indianapolis area as well as on-line on their website and at www.IndieHeaven.com. Nearly all of the songs on the projects were written by Higher Ground and their producer, Van Lawson with the exception of 3 hymns, which were given fresh arrangements, and one song written for Higher Ground by retired Cardinal's pitcher Kent Bottenfield. Higher Ground has also recently produced the first two episodes in a series of family DVDs called "Our House," which are now available in Christian bookstores nationwide as well as on their website. Higher Ground has watched in wonder as God has grown this ministry over the last several years, and they are continually praying for new venues in which to share the Gospel and encourage and fortify families.

STATEMENT of FAITH: Robbie and Denise believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins and rose again after three days. They believe He will come again for those who have made the decision to accept Him as Savior and Lord of their life, so that He can take them up to Heaven to spend eternity with Him. They believe they were created to worship God and to share His love and mercy with others.

Instrumentation

Robbie Grimes - vocals and guitar; speaking engagements
Denise Grimes - vocals; speaking engagements
Courtney Grimes - vocals and keyboard
Jadyn Grimes - vocals

Discography

Show Them the Love CD released in 2005
Higher Ground CD released in 2006
Our House and The Mustard Seed released in 2007
Our House and The PuzzleMaker released in 2007