Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Dove Award nominees Jeff & Sheri Easter fine tune plans for their annual Homecoming May 11-13

Jeff & Sheri Easter are anticipating their fourth annual Homecoming to bring the best of Southern Gospel music to Lincolnton, GA.

Among the world-class award-winning talent coming to help raise funds for the Lewis Family Homeplace Restoration Fund are Ivan Parker, the Perrys and the Primitive Quartet.

“We’re so excited to be bringing in Ivan Parker, The Perrys and The Primitives for this year’s event,” Sheri said. “Our goal when we began was to introduce our hometown to some of the best in southern gospel music and these artists were the people’s choice from last year’s questionnaires!”  

There will also be special appearances by Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long Show and The Lewis Tradition.

“Of course, everyone always loves The Lewis Family in this area, so by having Little Roy Lewis & The Lizzy Long Show along with Lewis Tradition, you get the best of the still traveling Lewis Family members,” Jeff said. “The family traveled an amazing 58 years and have made many friends throughout their career. They’re always a crowd-pleaser.”  

The Jeff & Sheri Easter Homecoming at the Lewis Family Homeplace, 1935 Lewis Family Road, in Lincolnton, Ga. is Friday, May 11, 2012 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 12, at 6 p.m.  and new this year Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m. Adult admission is $20 per day for Friday and Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Admission for all three days is $50. Children 12 and under are free.

In addition to an added day attendees will get a peak at a piece of history.

“Every year, we like to offer the visitors something new to see at the homeplace,” Sheri said. “Sometimes it’s the dresses that they girls wore on stage that Mom Lewis made in the early 50’s and 60’s or the first television set the family purchased to see their appearances on WJBF-TV.  

“This year, we are bringing a work-in-progress…a 1956 GMC Sliverside bus like the first bus the family purchased,” she said. “The bus will be on display for the event.  It is being preserved by Jeff and a few devoted fans who want to honor the family in this manner.” 

The event is hosted by Jeff & Sheri Easter who will appear all three days.

As the GMA honors the greatest in gospel music on April 19, once again Jeff & Sheri are included among the nominees for a Dove Award for Country Recorded Song of the Year “I Get To” from their Expecting Good Things CD – written by Wil Nance, Sherrie Austin and Steve Williams.

“Jeff and I are always honored whenever our music is nominated, and the Dove Awards have always been very good to us and our families,” Sheri said. “This song, “I Get To,” is very special to us, as we chose to record it during my recent battle with breast cancer in 2008. It simply offers perspective…we don’t HAVE to do the things we do, take care of Grandma, wake up early, go to work…we GET to!  It’s an eye-opener!” 

The group has won a Grammy nomination, six Dove Awards, and many other industry awards for songs, albums, group of the year and other accolades. Beginning 16 years ago they became a regular part of the Gaither Homecoming Video series, sharing their music on over 15 million videos sold.

The group has won two Grammy nominations, six GMA Dove Awards, 15 Singing News Fan Awards, three Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two International Country Gospel Music Association honors, 16 Voice Awards, four Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair Awards, five SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, four Hearts Aflame Awards and three Cash Box Awards.

Jeff & Sheri’s performances now include the contributions of their three children Madison, Morgan and Maura Easter and drummer Kyle Calloway as they share a love of Jesus through their music and uplifting experiences of life on stage. The Easter children each add dimensions to the show – vocally, musically and even with uplifting comedy.

Their latest CD “ Silver Anniversary” from SpringHill Records, available from iTunes and retail stores, honors their 25 years of marriage, music and love.

Homecoming attendees should bring a lawn chair. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit Lewis Family Homeplace Restoration Fund honoring the career of Georgia’s three-time Hall of Fame members The Lewis Family. For more information, call (706) 359-1997 or visit www.jeffandsherieaster.com.