Music legend Buddy Greene to join all-star Gaither Homecoming lineup April 20
Kim Chaudoin |
Gospel music hall of famer Bill Gaither just announced that music legend Buddy Greene will join the line up for the all-star Gaither Homecoming Show coming to Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Greene brings a wide variety of southern Americana influences to his music to create a unique musical hybrid of country, bluegrass, folk, gospel and traditional blues. In addition to his solid reputation as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, Greene has established himself as one of Nashville’s finest harmonica stylists. He has entertained the Lipscomb community with recent performances at Lighting of the Green and Tokens.
His live concerts feature hymn sings, jam sessions, church house revival and a journey through his musical history. Known for his songwriting prowess and classical harmonica talent, Greene has performed in Carnegie Hall as well as many other stages throughout the country. In 1991 he collaborated with Mark Lowry to write “Mary Did You Know?” which quickly became a modern-day Christmas standard. Other songs he has penned include “He Is,” “Fall Down Children” and “Recovering Pharisee.” His most recent album, “Harmonica Anthology,” was released in 2011.
The concert is hosted by the Gaither Vocal Band, featuring Gaither and vocalists David Phelps, Mark Lowry, Wes Hampton and Michael English. Special guests will include The Martins, Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie, Kevin Williams and Gordon Mote. The Homecoming tour is Gaither’s salute to southern and country gospel music and is patterned after the highly successful Gaither Homecoming video series.
This rare Nashville performance features the artists and musicians in the round. Limited seating is available. Tickets are going fast. Tickets range in price from $14.50-$72.50. Children one year old and older must have a ticket. For more information or to order tickets visit www.ticketsnashville.com or call 615.628.9100.
About the Artists
The Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band started in the early 1980s with four guys singing around a piano backstage before a Bill Gaither Trio concert and an impromptu performance in front of an audience. Bill Gaither has been in the music industry for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Gloria, have won many Dove and Grammy awards for their duos prior to the creation of the Gaither Vocal Band. After the release of their first album, Homecoming, the Gaither Vocal Band released an average of more than one album per year. They have received six Grammy nominations, two Grammys for “Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album,” and more than 15 Dove Awards along with the Dove Lifetime Achievement award in 1994. In January 2009, the Gaither Vocal Band released a Reunion of Gaither Vocal Band alumni on DVD. It immediately shot to the top of Billboard Magazine’s Music Video charts for four consecutive weeks, and topped Christian and Southern Gospel audio charts.
The Martins
The Southern gospel a cappella trio is comprised of siblings Joyce Martin McCollough, Jonathan Martin and Judy Martin Hess. Since their release of their debut album, “The Martins,” they have produced four albums and received six Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. They have performed on Gaither’s Homecoming video and concert series as well as at the White House for a televised concert, “Celebrating America's Musical Heritage.”
Gene McDonald
McDonald started his singing career as a child touring with his family across the Midwest and then joined the group Jack Campbell and the Ambassadors. After college, McDonald attended the Ben Speer School of Music and sang in The Plainsmen Quartet and The Florida Boys Quartet. He began singing bass on the Gaither’s Homecoming stage in 1994 and since then has become a regular in the Homecoming choir.
Charlotte Ritchie
Ritchie began as a vocalist for Jeff and Sheri Easter, and then as the soprano singer for legendary gospel group, The Nelsons, before becoming a gospel solo artist in 2008. She has released two solo recordings, “Closer” and “Bridges,” which have both had national success.
Kevin Williams
Williams has been with the Gaither Vocal Band for 18 years as their Homecoming Tour’s guitarist/band director. He has released 8 solo instrument albums, including his latest “Acoustic Sunday.”
Gordon Mote
Featured on the Gaither Vocal Band’s Homecoming stage, Mote is an award-winning keyboard and piano player. He was named the 2009 Keyboard/Piano Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and is a Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner.