The Crist Family
The Crist Family is an American Christian music group started in 1987 by Tami Crist Starkel. The group's current members include Tami and her husband Jon Starkel, her brother Rich Crist Jr. and his family—wife Lisa Crist, daughters Breanna and Jackie.
In 2004 they made a leap of faith of that became the inspiration of the title of their second recording, Worth the Trip, and left their secular jobs in pursuit of full-time ministry, transplanting three families from Washington to Maynardville, Tennessee.
In October 2004, they participated in Ray Flynn's Christian Alternative to Halloween, winning the group division talent competition.
In April 2005, the group signed with Crossroads Entertainment and Marketing. In July 2005, Crossroads released their first single, "It's Been a Journey", which went to #25 on the Singing News Chart.
Since entering the Southern Gospel Music scene in 2004 the group has recorded 5 music projects and one DVD. Every radio release has charted within the Singing News Top 80 Chart and they have performed in a variety of venues in 25 different states as well as making appearances on several Gospel Music Television networks.
Retirement
On April 5, 2011 one of the three families announced their retirement from the group (The Joyce family).
On January 31, 2014 the remaining families (The Crist & Starkel families) announce their retirement from the music industry as a whole under the Crist Family Music name.