A Buchanan family that has been playing music together for more than a dozen years is releasing a new album Tuesday.

“Built Upon the Rock” is the 13th album by the Balos Family, which includes nine members: Mike and Ramona Balos and their seven kids: Kenny, 27; Ben, 25; Bonnie, 24; Jimmy, 23; Jenna, 16; Nathaniel, 11; and Joel, 6.

The album’s title track, “Built Upon the Rock,” was inspired by Mike’s ongoing battle with lymphoma.

Jimmy said their father was diagnosed with the disease two years ago, but is doing well.

“The prognosis is good. They are hoping to knock it out in a year or so,” he said.

Mike continues to tour with the band, whose sound is influenced by bluegrass, traditional country and southern gospel.

The new album has 10 original songs written mainly by family members.

“We just want to encourage people with the album,” Jimmy said. “Hopefully through these stories we’ve written, people can grow themselves and hopefully find encouragement.”

A love of music has always been part of the Balos family tradition.

“On any given day in our home, you’ll always find someone singing, humming, playing an instrument or listening to a CD,” said Ramona. “Music seems to be as natural to us as breathing.”

The creation of the band can be traced back to when Jimmy and Bonnie began taking violin lessons.

“Dad then got out the old guitar and, little by little, each family member wanted to start getting into it,” Jimmy said.

The family started by playing in their home before doing their first musical gig in 2003 at an Elkhart church.

Now, they tour the country year-round spreading their Christian message through bluegrass gospel music at churches, fairs, schools and theaters.

“Doing something together, there is always a certain enjoyment we get out of that,” Jimmy said. “We’ve kept our relationship together as a family performing music and writing songs.

“From a Christian upbringing, being able to encourage people and spread that news with people has always been a driving force behind it as well.”

Mike and Ramona are graduates of Buchanan High School. Their children were home-schooled.

For more information about the band, including tour dates, visit the website, balosfamily.com.

The Balos Family will play at the Niles Family Carnival and Bluegrass Festival, which is scheduled for May 28-31.