Frankfort resident looks to expand her ministry on the air and in person

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. – Those gathered to hear Laura K sing at the Ark Encounter could not have been surprised when she started talking about the first single from her most recent album project.

“I’ve Got Joy!”

If there was ever a perfect song for a singer, that’s it.

Laura K breathes and bleeds joy from a hug for nearly everyone she meets down to the word of encouragement in every conversation. And you will never have to ask her mood since her never-ending smile answers without an inquiry.

“I just love people,” says Laura K, whose full name is Laura Smoyer.

That was apparent when the Frankfort, Ky., resident took the stage at the Ark Encounter’s Noah’s Village on Aug. 26. The appearance – her first at the Christian theme park – came as a part of the annual 40 Days of Christian Music Festival at the Ark Encounter.

“People walked by and stopped to listen,” she said. At Noah’s Village, a small outdoor venue near the massive ark, a handful of southern gospel fans were watching when Laura K took the stage. By the time she finished her 50-minute set, it was estimated that 75-100 people were either seated or standing around the area.

About 2.5 hours later, Laura K had the opportunity to sing two songs before Jonathan Wilburn, The Kingsmen and the Ark Encounter’s house band delivered more than two hours of electric gospel music.

She didn’t disappoint.

And the experience didn’t disappoint either. “It was wonderful,” Laura K said. “It was the first time I had seen TrueSong. They were fantastic from the first song. I am a fan of Jonathan Wilburn and had a chance to talk with him. And The Kingsmen are one of my favorite groups. I am friends with them – Alan (Kendall), Brandon (Reese), they are so encouraging.”

Laura K got her start singing with her family’s group, The Polston Family, until they retired from touring in 2013. Her father, Garry Polston, has sung with several groups through the years, including the Servants and, most recently, The Noblemen, before retiring in 2023. He still fills in for The Noblemen on occasion. 

“It was just great to be able to say I have been here,” Laura K said. “I wanted my parents to be here so bad.”

Garry and Lula Polston were, in fact, able to be at the Ark when their daughter took the stage. Garry’s longtime friend, Noblemen owner and bass singer David Martin, offered to drive them to the park. 

“I know that The Kingsmen are one of David’s favorite groups,” Laura K smiled.

It was a day overflowing with joy.

“About the only thing I didn’t like was when I was on the (Answers Center) stage, the lights got in my eyes and I couldn’t see everybody,” Laura K said with a big smile. “But we did have a little church, didn’t we?!”

Like most artists, Laura K took the opportunity to tell the audience about her latest project. I’ve Got Joy, released last fall, is her third solo project but the first since 2010. The title cut charted well, including nationally on Real Southern Gospel radio.  

A second single, “Let’s Have A Revival,” written by Joel Hemphill, had the crowd clapping their hands and tapping their feet at the Ark. 

Laura K’s journey to being a gospel soloist has not been a straight line to success. After her family group retired, she relocated to Atlanta, but returned to Kentucky in 2018. She currently works full-time in state government  but is thankful that her job allows some flexibility that comes in handy while pursuing an expanded soloist ministry. 

“I want to be full-time (as a soloist) but I have some bills to pay,” she laughed.

Laura has no support staff other than her husband, Dennis, who assists in many behind-the-scenes roles.

Laura K is active in her home church but longs to take her message of faith and joy to churches anywhere. “I am on the praise team at Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church and they are very understanding when I travel,” she said.

For now, the prayer is to see more doors open. While her first single charted when it made playlists, Laura . seeks more stations to play her music. “Right now, I am on some stations in Kentucky and Real Southern Gospel. We are on some stations in North Carolina, Florida and Michigan.”

And she’s willing to take her message of joy to many more churches. “I will go wherever the Lord leads me,” she says. 

Be assured that wherever that leads, Laura K.’s message will be one of joy!

For more information on Laura K Ministries, see laurakministries.com.