"The Stillwater Retreat" began in Ellensburg, Washington in 1971. The original members were: Richard Pomeroy (founder, guitarist and vocalist), Gerry Osborn (Song writer and Stand-up comic), Marvin and Carol Breshears (backup vocalists) and Terry Ostheller (lead vocalist). Gerry moved away to go to Selah Bible College. Marv and Carol Breshears went to Ethiopia with the Peace Corps. Terry Ostheller became Mrs. Richard Pomeroy. The Pomeroys are the only two members remaining of the original group.

The Pomeroys have continued to sing together for the past thirty five years, attending seminary in 1973, and pastoring for six years. In 1979 they moved to Southern California where they conducted an evangelistic Music ministry for nineteen years. Between the late eighties and mid-nineties they were the music directors for the Hollywood Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. They continued to perform music for the FGBMFI throughout the years and were the featured musical group for a Northwest Regional Convention. They are now based in Federal Way, Washington.

Richard Pomeroy is the guitarist and music arranger for The Stillwater Retreat.

At the beginning of his junior year in college he opened up a Christian coffeehouse near the campus of Central Washington University (at that time known as Central Washington State College). He started a Christian folk group known as "The Street Christians" with Lee Olmstead. They regularly sang in the coffeehouse, alternating with other Christian musical groups. At the end of Richard's junior year, Lee transferred to a Bible college, so Richard became a solo act until Gerry, Marv, Carol and Terry teamed up with him to form "The Stillwater Retreat" near the end of his senior year.

He plays an old Gibson twelve-string guitar with a spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, made in the 1950s. He also owns a handmade dreadnaught guitar with a cedar top and solid rosewood back and sides (pictured with him above), made for him in 1971. Several years ago he bought some fender guitar parts and built a copy of a Fender Telecaster, to which he added a digital pickup to play through a Roland synthesizer. He has recently contracted with a luthier in Los Angeles, named Tomas Delgado to build him a six-course lute. He will take possession of it at the end of November.

Terry heard a lady singing Mozart's "Alleluia" in church when she was in the eighth grade. She thought that it was the most beautiful thing that she had ever heard. She told her parents that she wanted to be a singer when she grew up. Her parents sent her for vocal training with Lois Hall Peterson, a Music teacher at Northwest College. Lois was also the organist and choir director for St. John's Episcopal Church in Kirkland, Washington. Terry continued to study voice throughout her education.

Terry has wanted to learn to play the banjo for many years, so Richard bought her a five-string banjo for her birthday earlier this year. She is presently learning to play it.

Presently "The Stillwater Retreat" has no other members in their group, but they use modern technology to fill out their sound. A digital audio work station is at the heart of their sound system, which plays numerous other virtual instruments through the group's sound system. This is like having an orchestra in a box. Voice and instruments go through a 1500 watt, 16-channel PA system.

Richard and Terry's musical roots are in folk music and they have everything from classical to contemporary music in their repertoire, which has grown quite large over the years. Their sound is mostly acoustic. They have recently been updating their sound and have brought back some older songs, creating new arrangements, giving them a more contemporary feel.

They have performed many kinds of Christian music, including Christian Folk music, Christian Rock music, Church music, praise and worship music, sacred music, Gospel songs, Southern Gospel and much more.

"The Preacher and the Bear" was an old, comedic ballad originally written in 1898. It was originally popularized by singer Rev. Gary Davis in 1912. It has been recorded by The Sons of the Pioneers, Phil Harris and Andy Griffith. It is the most requested song that Richard performs.

"Don't Give Up on the Brink of a Miracle" is Terry's most requested song.

"The Stillwater Retreat" is is not a full-time ministry. Richard and Terry do not rely on their music to earn their living. They are bi-vocational. They perform their music for an honorarium or a love offering to defray their expenses. This puts their ministry within the means of smaller churches. In fact, they love small audiences. They travel long distances to share what God has given them.

Call or email Richard and Terry to see how you can have "The Stillwater Retreat" at your church, coffeehouse, rally or meetings.