Shaping Clay continues Stevens’ tradition of bringing power-packed gospel to Manchester

John Herndon
The Stevens Family Tradition, based in Manchester, Ky., serves as the host for the Shaping Glay Jubilee in their hometown. The band is pictured playing during 40 Days of Christian Music at the Ark Encounter, Williamstown, Ky., Sept. 1, 2026.

Southern Gospel and Bluegrass greats, The Voice winner headline festival; No admission charge

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

One of the most unique events in Kentucky—and in gospel music—gets underway Friday, Oct. 2, with the Shaping Clay Jubilee at Rawlings Stinson Park in Manchester.

Southern gospel veteran Gerald Crabb takes the stage at 5 p.m., with Angie Primm, Chris Blue, Candon Stevens, and Adam Crabb each following with 45-minute sets.

The Jubilee continues on Saturday, Oct. 3, with local Bluegrass group The Dean Osborne Band going onstage at 12:30 p.m. The Shepherds follow at 1:30 p.m., with Kevin Spencer singing at 2:15 p.m.

The Old Time Preachers’ Quartet, The Kingsmen, Gordon Mote, Stevens Family Tradition, Jeff Tolbert and Primitive Road and The Kevin Rice Band each follow with their own 45-minute sets.

Ohio County native Adam Crabb, a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, will be performing at the Shaping Clay Jubilee on Friday, Oct. 2. Crabb is pictured from a 2021 concert in Bardstown. (All photos by John Herndon)

The Jubilee’s vision was born in the minds of Stevens Family Tradition founders Brad Stevens, a local pastor, and his brother, Donnie Stevens, a teacher at Clay County High School. The dream could have been daunting, however, as the idea was “to bring a free gospel music event to Manchester offering a strong lineup of artists each year,” Brad says. 

The Jubilee got underway in 2019 and, after taking 2020 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been staged every year since. Brad Stevens says Shaping Clay is funded by the Manchester Tourism Commission and sponsored by local businesses, community leaders, and several churches.

Even with some of the big names in multiple genres of gospel music playing, there is no admission charge to the event.

“We are grateful for all of the support we have to be able to offer such a strong lineup year after year,” Brad said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “You’d be hard-pressed to find this kind of one- or two-day event anywhere with this kind of lineup, especially for free.”

The 2026 event will have a strong connection to the Gaither Tour and videos. Adam Crabb has been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band since 2014 in addition to maintaining a successful solo career. Gerald Crabb (Adam’s father), Angela Primm, Gordon Mote, and Chris Blue (winner of NBC’s The Voice in 2017) all have strong ties to the Gaithers as well.

In addition, The Kingsmen have been one of Southern Gospel’s favorite quartets for over 70 years, while The Old Time Preachers’ Quartet consists of gospel music veterans brought together by Les Butler of Real Southern Gospel Radio.

Jeff Tolbert traveled with the Primitive Quartet for many years and formed Primitive Road when the group retired in 2023.

Stevens adds that a strong local lineup will be part of the Jubilee, led by the Stevens Family Tradition, an acclaimed Bluegrass gospel group that has opened for artists such as Mo Pitney and Chosen Road at the 40 Days of Christian Music at the Ark Encounter. 

Brad Stevens, of Stevens Family Tradition, pictured at the Ark Encounter, Sept. 1, 2026.

Brad’s wife, Candon, will be part of Friday’s lineup after releasing her first solo album earlier this year. Her debut radio single, “It Ain’t Over Yet,” has made its way onto numerous charts nationwide.

Stevens says The Dean Osborne Band is “sure to get you patting your feet,” while local artist Kevin Rice will offer the Jubilee’s final set Saturday at 7 p.m. “He has a style of his own and will be doing mostly original music,” Stevens says. “He’s an incredible songwriter, musician, singer, and minister of the good news of the gospel.”

Brad and Donnie Stevens usually select the Jubilee lineup, and their desire to have strong variety in the program is evident in 2026. “We do that prayerfully first, as our mission is to have the right people, in the right place, in the right time to proclaim the gospel message through song with those who are present,” Brad said. “It’s our desire to offer great music, yes, but more than anything to see God GLORIFIED, the church EDIFIED, and LIVES CHANGED!”

IF YOU GO …

Shaping Clay Jubilee will be held at Rawlings Stinson Park, 401 Memorial Drive, Manchester, Ky. There is no charge and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Food trucks and concessions will be available. “All the food and refreshments you’ll need will be available on site,” Brad Stevens says.

In case of inclement weather, the Jubilee will be moved to the Clay County High School gymnasium. Vendors and concessions will be available.

(This article has been updated to note that concessions will be available if the Jubilee has to move indoors. The agreement was reached after the interview was conducted.)

Angela Primm, pictured at the Kevin’s Kids Concert in Russell Springs in 2024, will be performing at the Shaping Clay Jubilee on Friday, Oct. 2.
Jeff Tolbert, right, playing mandolin with Primitive Quartet in Ashland in 2023. Tolbert formed Primitive Road after the quartet retired.
Les Butler, on the piano, is one of the founders of the Old Time Preachers Quartet. The group is pictured at Sand Spring Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg in 2022.
The Kingsmen Quartet, pictured at the Ark Encounter on Aug. 26, has been singing Southern Gospel for over 70 years. The group will perform at Shaping Clay Jubilee on Oct. 3.
Donnie Stevens, one of the founders of the Stevens Family Tradition, at the Ark Encounter on Sept. 1. He and his brother, Brad, envisioned a high-quality gospel music festival in their hometown resulting in the Shaping Clay Jubilee.

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