Band name? Not at all.
Heavens no, gospel is a big influence on Blue Grass, it's just reminiscent of the old tent revivals. The Methodists couldn't expect people during pioneer days to come to them, so they sent out circuit preachers. They put a lot of emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the meetings were famous for being spontaneous, very emotional and a lot of great music. The band probably grew up playing in Church, my guess is they are just trying to honor a musical tradition that had a strong influence on their particular style. They are honoring their gospel music roots, I'm pretty sure their intention is the opposite of blasphemy.
I've heard that before and I understand your sensibilities here. I remember there was a scene in Ray where people got indignant at one of his performances, they said that's the Lord's music. Soul had a strong influence from the gospel music of that day, Motown took that style and gave it basically, a secular lyrics. Elvis said in his TV special, I don't care what anyone says, it's got to be rhythm and blues or gospel to be Rock and Roll to me. He was from Memphis, which sits on the Mississippi. When you have a commercial center where people from all over come to do business you have a lot of cultural influences. There was Country, Blue Grass, a lot of gospel, Jazz grew up in the culture along the Mississippi where classical and popular music was blended.
