Tag Country Music

Duane Allen’s induction into SGMA Hall of Fame an opportunity for ‘love to bloom’

John Herndon Leave a comment
Duane Allen sings with the Oak Ridge Boys at the Kentucky State Fair in 2024. He has been the group’s lead singer since 1966 and will be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame on Sept. 23. (All photos by John Herndon.)
Legendary Oak Ridge Boy to be celebrated by the music he loves most

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

The last time Duane Allen attended the National Quartet Convention one certain guest was causing quite a stir with his presence.

“I remember Elvis was there and that was quite a commotion he was causing,” Allen said from his home in Hendersonville, Tenn., last week. 

When Allen steps into the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Monday, there won’t be a commotion or an uproar – Allen would never want that – but there will be an excitement as one of gospel music’s greats of 50-60 years ago returns to his roots to be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. 

Continue reading “Duane Allen’s induction into SGMA Hall of Fame an opportunity for ‘love to bloom’” →
Featured

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame a great holiday — or any day — trip

John Herndon Leave a comment
Rodney Griffin, of Greater Vision, sings “Faces” during the Class of 2024 induction ceremony at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame and Museum offers something for all music lovers, including gospel

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Are you looking for a great day trip during the holidays?  Why not make the drive to Mt. Vernon, Ky., for a visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum?

This little gem, located just off Interstate 75 at Exit 62, is a wealth of information and displays chronicling the deep roots of the music industry in the Commonwealth. The Hall of Fame offers something for music lovers, regardless of genre.

Continue reading “Kentucky Music Hall of Fame a great holiday — or any day — trip” →
Featured

Winning the Struggle, Answering the Call

John Herndon 1 Comment
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.

Continue reading “Winning the Struggle, Answering the Call” →

Paul Martin, Rockland Road sow seeds through music

John Herndon 2 Comments
Paul Martin, right, plays the guitar while members of his family group, Rockland Road, sing ‘God Bless the USA’ at the Kentucky State Fair, August 18, 2024. From left are March, Jamie, Texas, Kell and Paul Martin.

Excellence in multiple genres has led to spot in Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — If you are talking about Kentucky music, somewhere along the line you have to talk about Paul Martin.

If you know the history of the local rock music scene around Lexington, you have to know Paul from his days in Charlie’s Garage and The Bunch. You might even know about Ambush, a local band Paul joined while attending George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester. 

Continue reading “Paul Martin, Rockland Road sow seeds through music” →

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” →

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” →

Just give him Jesus!

John Herndon Leave a comment

DSC_0728

Dennis Parker, right, takes the lead on “Carolina in My Mind” as country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs sings harmony at Renfro Valley on July 20.

Dennis Parker had big-name gigs and a Grammy to boot, but found real joy when he had nothing but God’s love

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

First of two parts.

RENFRO VALLEY, Ky. — In a few hours, Dennis Parker would be delivering some driving rhythm guitar for group aptly named, “Kentucky Thunder.”

The group would accompany Country Music and Bluegrass Music Hall of Famer Ricky Skaggs and  bring the house down with standards like “Uncle Pen,” “Rawhide,” and “Pig in a Pen,” each of which could elevate the heartbeat enough to qualify as aerobic exercise.

But in a dressing room backstage, Parker reflected on a life that has taken him to the heights of country music with a Grammy Award and performing in sold out arenas across the nation. It’s a life that has also seen him homeless and struggling with alcoholism that eventually put him in jail on five different occasions.

He’s asked if he has a favorite song. Continue reading “Just give him Jesus!” →