Our Crew

Jeff Beatman, a retired elementary school principal, has been singing bass for the Gang for more than 14 years. Jeff is also a children's entertainer (jeffbeatman.com). Jeff enjoyed singing in high school and college and he loves music of all kinds. He has been singing professionally for 20 years. Jeff is married to Patty Beatman and they have two grown daughters, Meghan and Kelly. Their granddaughter Avery, grandson Bradley, three granddogs and two grandcats (and many fish) keep them on their toes.

Patty Beatman, a retired kindergarten teacher, has enjoyed singing since her elementary school days. She also frequently sang with her students and now enjoys singing with The Press Gang and her friends in the folk music club at The Shepherd's Center. Patty is married to Jeff Beatman and has two grown daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law, one granddaughter and one grandson. Besides singing, Patty loves to travel, sew, do crafts and scrapbooking. She, along with Robin Southall, reenacts and teaches children's games from the Colonial and Civil War periods.

Laurie Lunsford began her singing career in the junior choir of Memorial United Methodist Church at age 6. She then sang at  West End Baptist Church. At that same time, she began singing folk, Celtic, and sea chanteys with a group called "Dogwatch." Eventually, that group broke apart, forming 2 separate groups..."Ceol Na Mara," which specialized in Celtic music, and "The Press Gang," which focused more on sea chanteys. Laurie has been a proud member of both groups, and continues to sing with "The Press Gang" to this day. For a brief period, Laurie sang with the group "Yankee Clippers" during a month-long trip to the UK, for the Sea Chantey Festival in Hull, England, and the Folk Festival in Whitby, England.

John McCall, tenor, has been singing in church, school and military choirs and vocal groups for more than 50 years. He is retired from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Navy and the Army. He has a degree in world history and is conversant in several languages. He is fond of religious, folk and Celtic music and also likes sailing and painting landscapes and seascapes. John is married to Carole and they reside in Hopewell, Virginia. They have a grown daughter, Robin.

Keith Southall, baritone and founder of the Press Gang, has been a re-enactor and singer since the late 1970s with groups such as Keelnomara, the Dog Watch and Ships Company. His repertoire includes Celtic tunes, along with those of war and homefront from many periods. Keith's re-enacting career spans from 1607 to World War II. In his spare time he enjoys travel and history. Keith is married to Robin Southall and they reside in Chester, Virginia with one of his three stepdaughters and Ginny the dog. Keith and Robin also enjoy spending time with their three grandsons when not on the road.

Robin Southall has sung at church for many years and has been an active member of History Inc. as a Colonial and Civil War lady teaching children's games. Robin sings soprano and loves being a grandma.