Our Story
Terry & Debra Luna were recently inducted into the International Country Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame during the annual ICGMA Convention and Awards Show in West Plains, Missouri.
Mention “The Bakersfield Sound” and the first names that come to mind might be Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Tommy Collins or Joe and Rose Lee Maphis. Add to that list Terry & Debra Luna and their own style of West Coast Country Gospel. The husband-and-wife team of singer-songwriters perform their own material; inspirational songs that are encouraging, uplifting, sometimes fun, some poignant and reflective; all with that “Bakersfield Sound.” “All of the songs come from real-life experiences,” says Debra, “God allows us to share those life lessons and words of encouragement to others.”
Born in Bakersfield, Terry grew up in an exciting time of West Coast country music history, and was influenced by many of the local icons. Terry’s love of guitars was fueled by living only blocks from Semi Mosley’s Mosrite Guitar factory. At an early age Terry knew that God was calling him to the ministry of music; he was deeply influenced by The Christian Troubadours, The Gospel III , The Countrymen, Goodman’s, Hinson’s and the Rambo’s.
Debra comes from a rich family heritage of preachers, evangelists, pastors, singers and musicians in Central California. At an early age Debra recalls singing at her grandparents’ church, often times being lifted to the pulpit in order to see the congregation. Listening to her mother and aunt play the piano, Debra knew that she wanted to learn the instrument and play in church and youth camps, which she accomplished in her early teens.
Terry & Debra met as teenagers, singing in a local Southern Gospel group in the Sacramento area. Their similar interests and desire to serve the Lord through Gospel music drew them together and eventually married. Blessed with three beautiful children, the Lunas continued to work in their local church as music ministers, worship leaders and choir directors as well as traveling part-time with their groups. “I have enjoyed the journey so far, I’m convinced it’s not quite finished yet,” says Terry, “I am grateful and blessed to be able to write and sing the songs with my best friend.” “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalms 104:33,” quotes Debra, “One of my favorite scriptures. I have been singing in churches, concerts and conventions since I was very young. God blessed me with a Christian home with Christian parents who were very active in the local church. Every time the church doors were open, we were there! I am thankful for my strong Christian heritage. I am married to a wonderful singer, musician, worship leader, music director, husband, father and friend. Our plans, with God’s direction, are to sing unto the Lord as long as we live!”
Terry recalls a telephone call in 2011 from a woman telling of her tragic experience as a tornado devastated her home in Central Mississippi. “She tearfully described the helplessness of rummaging through what was left of her home and belongings, only to find her copy of the “Look Up” CD lying yards from the home, undamaged by the storm. She knew the message of the title track on that CD was to look past today’s circumstances, seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit and know that God has us in His protection.” She called to say thank you for the song, it helped her through several dark days after the storm. “Testimonies such as these, and there are countless others, are God’s way of showing us that we are in His perfect will, doing what he wants us to do for this season.” Every song has a story and the duo are often asked to share the “story behind the song” while ministering in church services.
The duo is blessed with eight grandchildren that love to sing and play instruments and worship the Lord. “Yes, God is good!” says Debra, “Our pastor used to say, ‘it feels like God bent down and kissed the earth and we’re right in the middle of the smack!’ We are blessed!”
Terry & Debra have recorded several projects containing all original songs. Seven singles have charted in national Country Gospel Charts, three have reached Number 1. "Highest Hill" reached number 1 in September 2020 (Cross Country USA,) "He is Here" was the Number 1 song in July 2019 on four national Country Gospel Charts and "Don't Tell Me He Can't (I Know He Can) debuted at Number 1 in August 2014 (Christian Music Weekly.) Their latest project, "Side By Side" was released in July 2019. The CD contains new songs written by Terry & Debra, one from the pen of Legendary Country and Country Gospel singer/songwriter Freddie Hart. They round out the disc with a new song "The Cross and The Plow" written by Mark Ford, their updated version of "Today I Started Living," written by Jerry Short and the Number 1 song "Highest Hill."
Terry & Debra were previously contributing writers to Christian Servant Magazine, an inspirational quarterly magazine serving the gospel music artist and industry. They also hosted a weekly radio program on CampMeetingRadio.com, "The Country Gospel Corral," as well as a monthly countdown show for the station.
Spend an evening in concert with Terry & Debra Luna; you will experience their joy, their love for one another and the genuine anointing of God in their songs.
For more information, schedule and product visit Terry & Debra online at: www.thelunasonline.com
Awards/Nominations:
Nominations:
2023 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2023 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2023 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Group Female Vocalist of the Year - Debra Luna
2023 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "I See the Son” Debra Luna
2023 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2022 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2022 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Song of the Year - "I See The Son" - Terry & Debra Luna
2022 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Living Legend Award - Terry & Debra Luna
2022 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2021 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2021 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2021 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Song of the Year - "Highest Hill" - Terry & Debra Luna
2021 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Video of the Year - "Highest Hill" - Terry & Debra Luna
2021 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Living Legend Award - Terry & Debra Luna
2021 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2021 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Group Male Vocalist of the Year - Terry Luna
2021 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "Holy God, Eternal One" Debra Luna
2020 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2020 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2020 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2020 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2020 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2020 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Group Female Vocalist of the Year - Debra Luna
2019 - Inspirational Country Music Association
Vocal Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2019 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2019 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2019 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "He Is Here"
2018 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2018 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2018 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2017 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Female Horizon Artist - Debra Luna
2017 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2017 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2017 - International Country Gospel Music Association
ICGMA Award of Excellence - Terry & Debra Luna
2017 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2016 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Songwriters of the Year - Debra Luna and Terry Luna
2016 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year
2016 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2016 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2016 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "I Know"
2016 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Country Gospel Duet
2015 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Songwriter of the Year - Debra Luna
2015 - King Country Agape Fest
Duo of the Year
2015 - Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards
Favorite Duet
2015 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year
2015 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Songwriter of the Year
2015 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Gold Cross Award of Excellence
2014 - King Country Agape Fest
Duo of the Year
2014 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year
2014 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Album of the Year - "Hand in Hand"
2013 - King Country Agape Fest
Songwriter - Debra Luna
2013 - King Country Agape Fest
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2013 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2013 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2013 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "The Old Man"
Awards:
2023 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Hall of Fame - Terry & Debra Luna
2022 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2020 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2020 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2019 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2018 - International Country Gospel Music Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2016 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duet of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2014 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2014 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Song of the Year - "Diggin' Up"
2014 - Gospel Music Artists Association
Group Male Vocalist of the Year - Terry Luna
2013 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2013 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
CD of the Year - "Hand in Hand"
2012 - North American Country Music Association (NACMAI)
Horizon Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2012 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2012 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
Songwriter of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna
2011 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
Album of the Year - Terry Luna & Another Day (Look Up)
2011 - GCGMA/TCGMA Music Awards
Duo of the Year - Terry & Debra Luna