Gospel veterans host concert with Hilltop Trio on Feb. 24

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

If anything, Victory Road’s concert at Taylorsville’s First Baptist Church is just another revolution of a circle that keeps turning.

And growing.

“I met David (Jones, the group’s tenor) back in 1981 at First Baptist,” says David Stevens, the group’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist. “That was kind of the beginning of our quartet.” Continue reading “The music keeps turning for Victory Road” →

Legacy Five gives a night of tradition and patriotism

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Rooted in one of the greatest traditions in gospel music, The Legacy Five has embarked on a 2019 schedule that will see the group pay tribute to history, yet do so embracing the changes of the times.

I was fortunate to talk with Scott Fowler, one of the quartet’s founding members, after a concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church on Jan. 24. It was a performance that drew a good crowd on a bitterly cold night and prompted several extended standing ovations. Continue reading “Unchanging message in changing times” →

(This is also appearing on our sports website, 110forChrist. Enjoy.)

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com and 110forChrist.com

I had seen the day coming for quite some time. I’d been the sports editor at The Anderson News since 2002 and sports writer for the same paper for 17 years before that. I’d won over 100 awards for journalism, with over 60 of those trophies or plaques being for first place in various competitions.

I’d meet literally hundreds, probably thousands, of people through my work. I’d written stories on people playing in the NFL and had written stories about horseshoe pitchers and people playing pickleball. Continue reading “I left a job I had loved” →

 

On night of major change in my life, Sand Spring concert provided timely reminder

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

I so needed Monday night.

Let’s make that soooooooooooooo neeeeeeeeeded what I experienced Monday night.

It was Dec. 31, 2018. When I left my office at The Anderson News in Lawrenceburg, it marked the end of a run that lasted almost 34 years. I’d started writing as a freelancer and worked my way up to to sports editor.

When the last day is a holiday deadline, meaning an earlier deadline, it was easy to get worn down. It was a great run but you just know when it’s time to step away. Continue reading “Holding to the hope in times of change” →

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Sand Spring Baptist Church, located just south of Lawrenceburg, Ky., has announced its 2019 gospel concert schedule. The lineup includes several returnees from 2018, including Ivan Parker and a concert featuring Triumphant Quartet and His Heart.

The series also includes The Old Time Preachers’ Quartet for the first time and features a stop by The McKameys on their farewell tour.

The complete schedule is as follows:

Jan. 24    The Legacy Five

March 7    The Perrys

April 11    Ivan Parker

May 16    The New Spear Family

June 14    Triumphant Quartet and His Heart

July 25    Greater Vision and The Jaystone Singers

Aug. 8    Carolina Connection: Carolina Boys Quartet and The Shireys

Sept. 12    Old Time Preacher’s Quartet

Oct. 17    The Hoppers

Nov. 14    The McKameys

Dec. 31    New Year’s Eve: Old Paths and The Coffmans

(7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.)

All concerts start at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge but a love offering is taken each concert.

 

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

If the calendar says “December” and David Phelps is ready to sing, it can only mean one thing: It Must Be Christmas!

Phelps, the powerful tenor who is one of gospel music’s most recognizable voices, has been bringing the message of hope through Jesus Christ across the country in his annual “It Must Be Christmas” tour.

We caught up with David after he performed to an enthusiastic crowd at Shelby Christian Church in Shelbyville, Ky. It had been a night of dynamic worship, fun and a challenge to help others. Continue reading “It Must Be Christmas when David Phelps sings in December” →

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Bob Sellers is at peace.

He was living a life many would consider a dream and secure in his position as lead singer for one of gospel music’s popular quartets. But something was just not right in Bob’s heart.

“I was there almost seven years,” he says of his stint with The Kingsmen. “I wouldn’t trade anything for the opportunity.

Continue reading “Bob Sellers’ leap of faith has given inner peace” →

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

It would be a bit of a stretch to say Russ Taff shaped my musical tastes. By the time I heard his debut on The Imperials’ “Sail On” album, I was already a fan of the group, had several of their albums and had seen them a few times around central Kentucky.

But there’s little doubt that Russ redefined The Imperials, taking them from a soft-rock and pop sound to something much more driving and cutting edge. His lead on “Water Grave,” was as radically different from anything heard in Christian music as the message it presented.

Continue reading “‘I Still Believe’ an emotional story of love and the transforming power of Christ” →

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

There’s a bit of nostalgia going around Kentucky gospel music circles.

Old-fashioned hymn sings are making a comeback across the Commonwealth with the next one set for Sunday, Oct. 21 at Spencer Christian Church in Taylorsville. The first song is set for 6 p.m.

Victory Road, based in Taylorsville, is acting as the host of the event, which is one of several that have been held in Kentucky in recent years. Continue reading “Taylorsville Hymn Sing promises to be a night of old-fashioned praise” →

Music reminds to focus on God, live in harmony

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

One thing about recovering from surgery is that that you have wayyyyyy too much time to fill. The good thing about that, for me, at least, is that I have been able to choose how I fill that time.

I had knee revision surgery on Oct. 1 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. I spent the night there, came home and have been rehabbing that right knee vigorously since. I ditched my walker on Saturday and have been amazed at how the process is unfolding. I hope to be back full strength very soon. Continue reading “Music helping me get through rehab” →