Rachel McDonald

Rachel McDonald has had a life-long love of music.  She was voted Most Musical in her Barnum High School graduating class.  Life (college, marriage, children, divorce, remarriage...) has kept her too busy to enjoy her music until three years ago when she "formed" Methodist Creek by asking her husband, Gary McDonald, and a few friends to help her provide music at a church youth group fundraiser.  Now, Rachel and Gary find that singing together is a great way to relieve the stress of raising teenagers!

Visit Rachel's Mary Kay Page.

Gary McDonald

Gary brings almost 40 years of playing experience to Methodist Creek.  He has played in many bands and many places during his 22 years in the United States Marine Corps.  His vocal talents range from old time country to bluegrass and gospel to rock and yes, rumor has it that he has even done an Elvis impersonation.  He does not read music so most of what he plays he has learned by listening to songs on the radio.  Although he says he is not “great” at playing a particular instrument, he is “good” at almost any of them.

Dave Johnson

Early in life Dave developed his voice by calling hogs and cattle on the family farm in central Minnesota.  His dad, Mick, was a square dance caller so kid Dave became (not by choice) a square dance groupy.  Many times he was asked to "fill a square" and found himself being swung through the air by muscular farm wives.  These life warping experiences led to adolescent rebellion.  Dave bought a guitar and began to listen to rock and/or roll--Elvis, Beatles, Stones, and Dylan.  He left the farm and the pace quickened.  College.  The Draft.  Work.  Family.  Then, with retirement looming Dave picked up the mandolin and started listening to bluegrass and occasionally the blues.  Today his favorite groups are Houston Jones, Crooked Still, Hayes Carll, and Switched at Birth.  Dave has 4 children, 3 grandchildren, and has been hapilly married to Karen for 31 years.

Bob Scruggs

Bob is from the flatlands of Arkansas.  While he grew up outside of Memphis, he has not been taken by the Blues, but prefers the ballads as sung by Johnny Cash.  Bob's music career started in Junior High School with a Sousaphone.  Graduation parted him from that rented instrument, but having the ability to read bass clef inspired him to purchase a bass guitar.  Gary McDonald invited church members to come and jam: "Come and bring your instrument.  If you don't know how to play it, bring it and I'll teach you."  Bob grabbed that gold ring and was on his way.  The Jam session became Methodist Creek with Bob being a charter member.  Bob plays in “The Golden Bells” Hand Bell Choir of Arlington Hills UMC.  Bob compares playing Blue Grass and Gospel in Methodist Creek with playing sacred music in the Golden Bells: Bell Choir is much more difficult on your mind, but a guitar gives you calluses.  What does Methodist Creek have in common with The Golden Bells?  Bob, Kaye, and Rachel!

Jeff Kortman

Jeffrey hails from Milwaukee Wisconsin and has been involved with music for over 40 years.  He graduated from North Central Bible College in Minneapolis and has played in various music ministries since.  He's been happily married to Theresa for over 20 years and they have 2 teenage daughters.  Jeff loves string instruments and plays violin (fiddle), viola, bass, acoustic and electric guitar and a 6 and 12 string guitar.  He likes to play all types of music from classical to rock 'n roll to bluegrass and to contemporary Christian.  Besides music, Jeff is interested in Civil War history.  He is a cousin to Ulysses S. Grant.  He spends his spare time playing with his new little rat terrier Willis.

Kaye Olson

Kaye has been singing in various church choirs at Arlington Hills United Methodist Church all her life.  She inherited her love of music from her mother and grandmother who both sang and played piano.  Her mom really enjoyed gospel songs.  Kaye likes many styles of music, but her favorites are Christian, Country, and Gospel.  She is the newest member of Methodist Creek and hopes to add "guitar" to her list of contributions to the group.