Winning the Struggle, Answering the Call

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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They never missed a beat

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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Life is Good for Steve Bridgmon

Steve Bridgmon sings during the Ichthus festival on Sept. 10.

Owensboro native enjoying success on several fronts

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

It’s hard to imagine anyone enjoying life more than Steve Bridgmon these days.

Not just any country music artist. Not just any Christian music artist. Not just anyone in Nashville, from Kentucky or any other designation.

Just anyone. It’s hard to imagine anyone having more reason to smile of late than Bridgmon, the Owensboro native who has built a successful career as a soloist in Inspirational Country music, sometimes called “Christian country.”

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