The Blaze profiles our friend Mark Abernathy and his band the Sabre Rattlers, who are raising money on Kickstarter for their new album. I encourage you to pledge. The music is powerful, mixing gospel with Americana.

God is in the songs: Meet the Mormon musician who’s mixing gospel, blues and country to redefine traditional hymns

Led by guitarist Mark Abernathy, The Sabre Rattlers is a unique music initiative that features a rotating pool of performers — individuals who collectively invoke a wide array of genres to create an unparalleled sound. From gospel to blues to Appalachian folk and country, Abernathy, a Mormon, and his associates use their talents to spread messages about God, history and life struggles.

“I’m a believer and I’m a sinner. That duality — that struggle — is manifest in the work and personal lives of the originators and pioneers of America music, Blues, Rock n’ Roll, Country — all of it,” he said. “I’m aware of the hypocrisy of singing ‘Jesus Be a Fence Around Me’ when I willfully make God-offending mistakes. But God is deep in the American music tradition and that’s the soundtrack that keeps me company and keeps me tethered.”