Southern gospel concert will be day of singing
This Saturday, the USC Aiken Convocation Center will be home to the Spring Gospel Fest. The daylong festival includes 12 Southern gospel acts. The festival gets under way at 10 a.m. with doors opening at 9 a.m.
The Spring Gospel Fest was the idea of Ronnie Baron, co-owner of Cole Funeral Home. He worked together with WGUS-FM deejay Richard Chambers to bring Aiken the first Gospel concert of its kind.
"This is the largest group of Southern gospel singers ever in Aiken to my knowledge," said Chambers. "Most of these artists have traveled all over the world singing."
This music lasts all day with the final performance expected to end at 9 p.m. Attendees have the option to come and go throughout the day or to come and stay all day. The music will play for almost 12 hours.
"This will be an awesome day," Chambers said.
Tickets to the Gospel Fest are on sale and are buy one, get one free.
The decision to offer the tickets at a reduced price came from the desire to see the concert sold out, as well as to ensure everyone could attend.
"I would love to have a full house with this line-up. We don't want people to miss out on the blessing," said Chambers. "People were having a hard time affording tickets with the economy the way it is. We don't want anyone to be turned down because they couldn't buy a ticket."
The music line-up for the day includes the Triumphant Quartet, comedian Dennis Swanberg, Janet Paschal, The Greenes, The Bowling Family, The Talley Trio, The Whisnants, The Nelons, The Shepherds, C.T. Townsend, Judy Hammett, Bobby Sanders and Mary Beth Berry.
Ticket prices for reserved seats in the lower level are $41 in advance and $52 the day of show. Reserved seats in the upper level are $27 in advance or $41 the day of the show.
Tickets are on sale at the USC Aiken Convocation Center box office, online at www.Georgialinatix.com or can be charged by phone at (866) 722-8877. For more information, call 643-6901.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.