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Winning the Struggle, Answering the Call

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Justin Cole sings at The Ark Encounter on August 20.

Glasgow native Justin Cole has found his niche in serving and singing

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

For Justin Cole, the struggle was more than real. 

That inner conflict of how to best use his God-given talents was more than a simple tugging at his heart. Should he continue to pursue a lucrative career straddling that fence between gospel and country music or should he listen to his heart saying to put all of his energies into pastoral ministry and singing a bit of Christian country when he can.

“For a while, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” Justin said not long before he took the stage at the Ark Encounter on August 20. Justin was part of a billing that included the Ark’s house band, TrueSong, along with bluegrass stars Authentic Unlimited as part of the 40 Days and Nights of Christian Music festival.

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Fortner Brothers 4 Christ to Make Ark Encounter Appearance 3

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The Fortner Brothers 4 Christ sing during the Faith Country Bluegrass Music Festival at The Ark Encounter in June 2023.
Alabama family combines timeless gospel with 80s country sound

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

One of the best things about taking in the summer concerts at The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum is being introduced to those new artists who might not be popping up on my playlists, but are talented and making their own path in the various branches of Christian music.

Such was my experience with the Fortner Brothers 4 Christ, an Alabama-based band with a sound straight out of the 1980s. Think Diamond Rio or Restless Heart or Exile. Think the Eagles.  And of course, think Alabama, the megastars who made their hometown, Fort Payne, famous.

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

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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.

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They never missed a beat

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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. 

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Nothing Fancy

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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. 

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