Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

GAITHER VOCAL BAND REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

Louisville, KY – Gaither Vocal Band members past and present will come together for a Reunion concert during this year’s National Quartet Convention. This special Reunion event will take place on Thursday afternoon, September 15, beginning at 1:15pm in Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. The event will pair current and former members of the prestigious Gaither Vocal Band, led by multi- Grammy Award winning Bill Gaither (pictured in attached jpg).

Little could anyone have known the impact this multi-talented group would have upon the contemporary and Southern Gospel Music world when the group was originally organized back in the early 1980s, on the spur of the moment backstage at a Bill Gaither Trio concert. Since that impromptu performance, the popular group has enjoyed numerous hit songs, several Grammy Awards and more than a dozen Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.

In addition to the much loved current Vocal Band members, who include Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps and Wes Hampton, former Vocal Band members joining Gaither for this special musical event at this year’s Convention in Louisville will include Marshall Hall, Larnelle Harris, Jon Mohr, Buddy Mullins, Jim Murray, Russ Taff and original members, Steve Green, Gary McSpadden and Lee Young.

The Thursday afternoon Gaither Vocal Band Reunion Showcase Spectacular is sure to be one of the highlights of NQC Week. The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion Volume 1 & 2 CDs, recorded in the summer of 2008 and released in 2009, debuted in the top two positions on Billboard Magazine’s Contemporary Christian album chart. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the Number 1 and Number 2 positions on the Music Video charts, as well. Gaither will bring those recordings to life duriing the Reunion Showcase in Louisville.

In addition, to Thursday afternoon’s Vocal Band Reunion event, Gaither will also host the popular Homecoming Sing-Along concert on Friday, September 16th beginning at 12:00 noon. The Gaither Vocal Band will also be featured on Friday evening’s concert line-up.

A complete schedule of events set to take place during the 2011 National Quartet Convention may be obtained online at www.nqconline.com.

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About the 2011 National Quartet Convention: This year marks the 54th Annual National Quartet Convention. The Convention has made its home in the city of Louisville since 1994. Approximately 40,000 people will attend the 2011 event, which takes place September 11-17, with at least 40 states and a half dozen foreign countries represented. The Convention is Christian music’s largest marketplace and largest annual event with more than 500 exhibitors and nearly 300 Southern Gospel recording artists in attendance. Tickets for daily and evening performances may be purchased at the NQC office, online at www.nqconline.com or on site during the week of the Convention in the North Wing lobby at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center.

Three-time Dove Award nominee Channing Eleton hosts a Christmas Celebration With Gospel Stars

Eleton, who received three Dove Award nominations and is two-time Southern Gospel Musician of the Year, will welcome several friends for a special concert in Dalton, Ga. for Compassion International.
The Hometown Christmas Celebration with Channing Eleton and Friends is Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Ryman Hall, 2203 South Dixie Highway (U.S. Highway 41) south of Dalton, Ga.
Among Eleton’s friends appearing are Buddy Mullins, formerly of Bill Gaither Vocal Band; Jay Parrack, formerly of Gold City; and Bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”
“Our Hometown Christmas Celebration is going to be a night of not only great music, but a night of hope, inspiration and encouragement,” Eleton said. “My friends Randall Franks,  Buddy Mullins, Jay Parrack and I are coming together for a good and worthy cause. These guys are so talented and unique in their own right. I can’t wait for my hometown of Dalton to see and hear these friends of mine.””
The event will highlight the work of Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry, that helps children around the world, he said.
“As we celebrate Jesus Christ through our music, we will share His love through the ministry of Compassion International,” he said. “The work of Compassion is a worldwide ministry that feeds, clothes and educates kids that are less fortunate than us. Not only that, they share the love of Christ with them as well.” 
Advance tickets are $12. Admission at the door is $15.
“It’s going to be a fantastic night of music, fellowship and ministry. I can’t wait,” Eleton said.
For more information, call (706) 279-2700 or visit www.ChanningEleton.com.
 
Calendar announcement
 
Friday, Dec. 3
 
Three-time Dove Award nominee Channing Eleton and Compassion International will host a Hometown Christmas Celebration with Channing Eleton and Friends, Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Ryman Hall, 2203 South Dixie Highway (U.S. Highway 41) south of Dalton, Ga. Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy ministry. Also appearing is Buddy Mullins, formerly of Bill Gaither Vocal Band; Jay Parrack, formerly of Gold City; and Bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” Advance tickets are $12. Admission at the door is $15. For more information (706) 279-2700 or www.ChanningEleton.com.