Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the fall leaves are turning their vibrant October colors. There is a crispness in the air and Gospel music is ringing through the hollers of Rutherfordton, NC.
Record concert attendance, Gospel music’s best talents, a desire to make a difference and just good people: Four things that make the Carolina Gospel Association’s concert series special and an unmatched success for twenty years running.
Gospel music fans journey to the Rutherfordton’s RS Central High School. Drawing crowds from across the unifour state region of the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee, the concert series has had multiple sell-out crowds due to their economical sales plan. Single
concert tickets or season tickets are affordable for the Thursday night events.
That first year in 1995, only five concerts were held featuring gospel music’s who’s who. Fans enjoyed Hovie Lister and the Statesmen, The Nelons, Speers, Florida Boys and JD Sumner and the Stamps. At each concert a regional group was featured with a local soloist opening the concert. For the last 19 years the concert series conducted a total of seven concerts annually. The brightest names in Gospel music provide a Thursday night crowd with the best is southern gospel music. The series runs from October to May with monthly concerts (except December). The CGA has the support of the local churches in the region with many pastors and
music ministers being active in the concerts. Hardin shares, “We are here to support the local community in every way.â€
The Carolina Gospel Association is one of the longest-running non-profit Gospel music organizations in the country. Single tickets are available at the door for $12 or the avid gospel music fan can get a season ticket for only $60.00. The association also sells a full program ad book for each concert.
Kicking off the concert series is a combination of talents that really have a rich music history together. Clayton Inman with son Scottie Inman, David Sutton, Scott Whitener and Charlie Griffin are part of the Singing Americans history, from the ’80’s and ’90’s. Their friendships, talents and musical passions will make this concert a “don’t miss event!â€
The Twenty Year Celebration concert series reads like a who’s who in Gospel music. All concerts are held at RS Central High School, 641 Hwy 221 North in Rutherfordton, NC.
- October 15, 2015 Triumphant Quartet, Carolina Quartet, Charlie Griffin
- November 12, 2015 Old Paths, In His Glory
- January 14, 2016 Pine Ridge Boys, Southern Sounds Quartet
- February 11, 2016 Kingdom Heirs, Royal Quartet
- March 10, 2016 Inspirations, Golden Valley Crusaders
- April 14, 2016 Mark Trammel Quartet, Broken
- May 12, 2016 The Hoppers, The Griffins
Any profit, from the gospel concerts and book sales, literally goes back into the community. Donations over the years have included Hospice, Yokefellow, local church and mission groups. The association also partners with the Rutherfordton Housing Partnership at each concert as they host a Spaghetti Fund-raising Supper prior to the sing. The RHP invests in the local community with multiple housing projects each year, from home improvements to a new roof for elderly and others in the community.
As you can tell folks in these parts don’t mind puttin’ their support to something that will make a difference. Wayne Hardin says, “I guess with some good gospel music and supporting the community, people really want to see that the concerts are successful. And they have been!â€
For more concert information or tickets contact Carolina Gospel Association at 828-281-3356 or www.CarolinaGospel.com.
