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North Metro Gospel Singing September 13

North Metro Gospel Singing

North Metro Gospel Singing Presents .. Shiloh Hills Baptist Church at 75 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw, Ga. will host the music ministries of former NBC and CBS star and IBMM bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” acoustic Southern gospel award winning Watkins Family and Solid Gospel radio and Harmony Road TV host Les Butler on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 at the door or $15 advance and are available by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Robert York, 4030 Ebenezer Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30066. For more information, call (770) 926-6021.

The Watkins Family are inducted into Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame

The acoustic music of the Watkins Family has thrilled audiences for more than 30 years and the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame recently recognized that accomplishment.

The group from Toccoa, Ga. currently includes matriarch Judy Watkins and her two adult children – Todd and Lorie. They continue a path sharing their love of Jesus through acoustic music touring across the United States and Canada.

“This is such an honor for our family to receive,” Lorie said. “To be recognized in such a manner for the many years of hard work and service in music is very humbling.”

The late Don Watkins and Judy began their ministry in the 1970s and added their children Todd, Lorie and Shanon as each took an interest in participating.

“There are so many to thank, our family, friends, church family, and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ – our Savior,” Lorie said. “This ministry was the vision of our dad, Donald H. Watkins, and mom many years ago. We are just so thankful to be able to continue the work that our parents started and hope to continue for many, many years to come.” Read more »

Share America Foundation chooses bluegrass banjo player for scholarship

The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced its first 2011 scholarship winner recently at its Sacred Sounds Fridays concert featuring the Watkins Family and Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.
The events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” The scholarships honor students excelling in the Appalachian musical arts.
“I know my parents would be excited to see the latest recipient perform,” Franks said. “With his dedication, interest and fostering of the music with a youth group, I know that is exactly what would have put them in his corner. He is a great talent and deserving of this encouragement.”
Cody Harvey, 18, of Signal Mountain, Tenn. graduated from Signal Mountain High School and plans to attend University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“Since I began playing the banjo, I had always dreamed to have a bluegrass band of people my age,” he said.
He said he actually taught some fellow students and found others who played until the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band was formed. “Although music is a great passion of mine, I am not looking to make it my profession,” he said.

Read more »

The Watkins Family adds a new musician

The Watkins Family of Toccoa, Ga. adds to its stage show by bringing another full-time musician to their ministry.

The group which includes matriarch Judy Watkins and her adult children – Todd and Lorie continue a path sharing their love of Jesus through acoustic music touring across the United States and Canada since 1982.

Daniel Holt, 22, of Savannah, Tenn. joined the group full-time playing a variety of instruments. Holt began performing with his family – The Holt Family at the age of 9.

“I grew up playing most weekends at churches and festivals around Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi,” he said.

He recently graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entertainment Management.

“In order to graduate, I had to do an internship,” he said.

His internship was with the Singing News Magazine and its parent company Salem Communications in Nashville.

“The internship gave me an opportunity to learn a great deal about the Southern gospel music industry first hand and meet some wonderful people including the Watkins Family,”he said. “I am very thankful for this job with the Watkins Family.”

Multi-award nominee Lorie Watkins said that Daniel is a wonderful addition to the group as he share his talents on a several instruments.

“Daniel has a wonderful personality that our audience connects with,” she said. “He also is tremendously talented in what he does musically and with all the support he provides off stage. We are honored to have him as part of the group.”

The group’s latest project “Heaven’s Worth Waiting For” is promoted by the Rick Hendrix Company. Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominated Karen Peck Gooch, and Danny Jones, produced the CD.
For more information, visit www.watkinsfamilymusic.com.