Author John Herndon

Featured

Kevin Williams is ready to give to his Kids again

John Herndon Leave a comment
Gaither Vocal Band guitarist Kevin Williams oversees a highly successful benefit program for young people in his hometown of Russell Springs, Ky. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Williams.)

Gaither Vocal Band guitarist to host 10th annual concert benefiting youth of his hometown

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Kevin Williams just wants to give back.

He wants to give back to the town where he grew up. Give back to the community where he bought his first guitar, where he hung out with someone who would become one of the biggest names in country music and where he got his own start in gospel music.

It started as a simple dream, but one that wasn’t too big for God.

And for the last 10 years, children in Russell County, Kentucky, have been blessed by Kevin’s Kids, a program that seeks to reach those in need while bringing Williams’ hometown together for the cause.

Continue reading “Kevin Williams is ready to give to his Kids again” →
Featured

Big changes, bigger blessings

John Herndon Leave a comment
Chris Bryant is happy singing with the Kingdom Heirs.
After some time of transition, Chris Bryant’s journey has been better than he could ask for

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – To say Chris Bryant has experienced some changes over the last two years is kind of like saying Pigeon Forge is a Tennessee tourist attraction.

It’s a bit of an understatement. Just a little bit.

He’s left a job he loved. He started a career he loved.

Then, with inkling on how things would play out, Bryant wound up in what he calls “The best job in gospel music.”

Continue reading “Big changes, bigger blessings” →
Featured

A faithful servant steps down

John Herndon 1 Comment
Garry Polston sings during his final concert with The Noblemen at Christiansburg Baptist Church, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Smoyer.)

Garry Polston reflects on a life of ministry following final concert with The Noblemen

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

NEW CASTLE, Ky. – Garry Polston leaned back in his recliner and smiled.

Not that it was unexpected. If you know anything about Garry Polston, you know he smiles. Smiles a lot. He’s happy. 

It seems like he’s always happy. And even though he’s now retired from doing what he loves and has always wanted to do – singing gospel music – he’s overflowing with the joy he has sung about for over 60 years.

Continue reading “A faithful servant steps down” →
Featured

A life of ministry, a life of joy

John Herndon 2 Comments
The Joyaires, Ernie and Debbie Peters, sing at Sand Spring Baptist Church on Oct. 26, 2023.

Joyaires persevered through challenging times, continue to share the mesage of Christ however they can

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – Not too long before the Joyaires took the stage at Sand Spring Baptist Church on Oct. 26, we received a suggestion to interview the group’s owner, Ernie Peters, for a full-length feature on KentuckySings.com.

“He’s an interesting fellow,” we were told.

It was an understatement.

Interesting. Faithful. Incredibly faithful. Challenging. Inspiring. Or, more accurately, all of the above. 

Continue reading “A life of ministry, a life of joy” →
Featured

Fifty years of touring, an infinite impact

John Herndon 1 Comment
The Oak Ridge Boys at the Kentucky State Fair, Aug. 20, 2023. From left are Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban. (Photo by John Herndon.)

Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell tour a time to reflect on their impact and personal blessings

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

I simply wasn’t ready for the news that hit my e-mail inbox last Tuesday.

The Oak Ridge Boys are finally saying goodbye. Almost 50 years after the current lineup first stepped on stage together, they announced their American Farewell Tour. 

“We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye,” William Lee Golden said in a release posted at http://www.oakridgeboys.com. “They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music, and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you!”

Continue reading “Fifty years of touring, an infinite impact” →
Featured

Triumphant’s Sean Barber living in ‘The Goodness of God’

John Herndon 5 Comments
Sean Barber thinks of God’s blessings during Triumphant Quartet’s rendition of ‘The Goodness of God’ during their concert at The Ark Encounter on Sept. 8, 2023. It was Barber’s first appearance as a member of one of Southern Gospel’s most popular groups.

Triumphant Quartet’s ‘new guy’ fits right in, only desires to glorify God

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. – The telling moment for Sean Barber might have come about halfway through Triumphant Quartet’s set at The Ark Encounter last Friday.

The new baritone had been flawless in his solos during his first performance with the beloved group. He’d displayed a low-key but unmistakable enthusiasm while performing before a packed house at The Ark’s Answers Center. The chemistry was new but visibly meshing. 

If there had been any bugs, only Barber or the rest of Triumphant knew. To say things were just right might have been an understatement.

Continue reading “Triumphant’s Sean Barber living in ‘The Goodness of God’” →
Featured

64 to Grayson approaching the exit

John Herndon Leave a comment
Zack Shelton in his office at North Madison Christian Church in Madison, Indiana.

Zack Shelton says group’s farewell concert to be a time of praise and thanksgiving

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

MADISON, Ind. – Zack Shelton & 64 to Grayson has never been a conventional gospel singing group. 

Not when the group formed at Kentucky Christian University. 

Not when it was traveling across more than 20 states, playing anything from local festivals – think the Swamp Cabbage Festival in Florida or the Delta Chicken Festival in Ohio – to summer camps and churches big and small.

Not when you try to pinpoint the group’s genre, either. There’s a heavy dose of country, some bluegrass, some rock, some contemporary Christian and even an old hymn or two in the repertoire.

Continue reading “64 to Grayson approaching the exit” →

They never missed a beat

John Herndon Leave a comment
Back together after 31 years, Girls Next Door bring an energetic set of gospel music at The Ark Encounter on Aug. 23, 2023.
80s country stars Girls Next Door are back together sharing the message of Christ’s love

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. – The history of country music might note that the group, Girls Next Door disbanded in 1991 but their performance during 40 Days and 40 Nights of Christian Music at the Ark Encounter indicated they had only been on a sabbatical.

A 31-year sabbatical.

The tight harmonies and innovative arrangements that had made Girls Next Door one of country music’s most popular acts were still there on Aug. 23. The energy created by their music had never left as they delivered a set featuring some of their country hits along with a heavy dose of heart-pumping gospel.

And even though country music fans might not expect it, the 2023 version – Girls Next Door 2.0 proclaims their new CD and website – is remarkably like the one that last sang in 1991. 

Continue reading “They never missed a beat” →

Nothing Fancy

John Herndon Leave a comment
Mo Pitney at The Ark Encounter on Aug. 15, 2023.

Mo Pitney simply starts the conversation about Jesus with his music

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. – There’s nothing fancy about Mo Pitney.

Nothing.

He takes the stage as one of the headline artists in the 40 Days and 40 Nights of Christian Music at the Ark Encounter, but he looks like he’d be just as happy on his front porch as he is in front of several thousand music lovers.

There are no videos playing during the 30-minute set. There’s no backup band. Just Mo, his wife Emily, a couple of stools and Mo’s guitar.

And music. Simple music. Powerful music. 

Continue reading “Nothing Fancy” →
Featured

He believes he’s where he should be

John Herndon 1 Comment
Anthony Davis is mighty happy singing bass during the Firm Foundation Reunion Tour on July 7, 2023.
Anthony Davis still loves to hit the low notes, but is happy in his calling in law enforcement

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The smile on his face left no doubt that Anthony Davis knew he was where he should be for the weekend.

A Southern Gospel fan favorite, Davis can still go low with the best of them despite leaving rigors of traveling music ministry behind more than two years ago. That was more than apparent over the weekend as he manned the bass spot during the third annual Firm Foundation reunion tour. 

Davis spent nearly a decade with the Owensboro-based group prior to becoming a household name hitting the low notes for Tribute Quartet for another 10 years. 

Continue reading “He believes he’s where he should be” →