Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Gospel Music Roadshow

I grew up in a small town America where patriotism and the American flag were the foundation of our community. Though just a small dot on the map, when it came to the Fourth of July, it was a big deal. We had the largest Fourth of July parade in the county and could even boast of state officials who would come and participate. The two lane strip of road that began at the sports field and snaked downtown to the Dollar General would be closed off at 10:00 AM until the twelve o’clock hour. We had everything…from the fire department to old tractors, churches and businesses, it was truly an event not to be missed. The VFW always had the first spot on the route in honor of their…

Gospel music has its origins in the southern part of the United States, yet its message and tight harmonies has captivated audiences from around the world. With the message of hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many artists and their songs have made a global impact only eternity will have the time to tell. Recently, Karen Peck & New River (KPNR) were hosted on a two night tour in Jamaica as a local outreach in Kingston and Montego Bay at the end of May, and we were able to sit down with the members of KPNR and hear about their tour in Jamaica, their new CD, “Good Answers” and what culture can teach and inspire us in our own worship and faith. Make sure your seatbelt is securely…

The Torchmen Quartet is a familiar name to many, having travelled and ministered for over 55 years. As one of Canada’s most enduring Southern Gospel groups, they’ve also gained recognition in the United States and abroad through appearances at the National Quartet Convention and other events. Although early and long-standing member Mike Moran retired in 2024, the group’s legacy continues strong... Bass singer, Jon Hisey shares his thoughts in the interview below: 1. The Torchmen have a long legacy in Canadian gospel music. How did the group get started and how has it evolved over the years? The group started in 1969 at Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. I was only three years old at the time, so I’m sharing what I’ve been told. It began when…

Before beginning this devotion, there has been a lot of wrestling in my heart. I’ve struggled to know if it was appropriate to share with you. God oftentimes gives me clear confirmation in the middle of the night, when it’s quiet and I’m rocking my baby back to sleep. Over and over again, it’s as if He whispered the words “mercies in disguise”. As I pondered this phrase and repeated it, I was reminded of a song from 2006, the song is called “Blessings” and it was written by Laura Story. Laura’s husband nearly passed away from a brain tumor. From their cancer experience, she wrote “Blessings”. When the song initially released, my mom purchased the sheet music for me so I could learn it on piano. Although I played…

In the spring, Western Michigan is blanketed with fields of tulips, casting an array of colors over the landscape. Combined with the beauty of Lake Michigan, lighthouses, beaches and historic landmarks, this area has been a travel destination for years. This May, The National Quartet Convention partnered with promoter Hank-Jan Vander Loon to bring in yet another incentive for folks to make the Grand Rapids area a hot spot for their May travel calendar… and that is a two night event called Tulip Time Gospel Jubilee. May 15th-16th was the first year for this event and the response the Gospel Music Roadshow saw was evidence that the folks in Michigan love Gospel music. The event was hosted at Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan, a beautiful and unique church. The…

The Gospel Music Roadshow had the opportunity to head to Taylors, South Carolina for Carolina Gold Gospelfest at the end of May. This event was hosted at Brushy Creek Baptist Church by Gold City and Rodney Baucom (Life FM and the Gospel Greats) and featured three sessions in two days with Gold City, The Mark Trammell Quartet, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Karen Peck & New River, PromisedLand Quartet and the Booth Brothers. Carolina Gold Gospelfest was a brand new event and from what GMR experienced over that weekend, it most likely will not be the last! The weekend began on a Friday night with a concert featuring Gold City, The Mark Trammell Quartet and Jeff & Sheri Easter. Together, these three were a powerful combination of harmony, laughter and nostalgia.…

I had recently graduated from high school, was living at home on the farm and working with my dad’s company when the Lesters were on their way to Kansas. That weekend, both Brian and Ginger were not with the group. (Ginger was having a baby and Brian was out with back surgery.) They were in Pittsburg, Kansas and had to be in Greenville, South Carolina the next night. During the trip Brian’s Dad, Herschel Lester, said, “we have to hire a driver.” I didn’t think anything about it. He said, “you drive for your Dad?” My dad had two dumptrucks at the time. This was back when you didn’t need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). You could get a chauffeur license, which I had. The conversation kinda ended there. This…

To the best of my recollection, we were in Breckenridge, TX. Mark and I had walked to a Dollar Store up the road just to browse. We didn’t really need anything, but while we were there, I saw some silly string and just knew that at some point on the trip, it might come in handy: On our way back to the bus, up walks Brudge. He stopped in the middle of the road, acting like he was in a gunfight, and said, “I’m from Breckenridge, TX, and I don’t take junk off of anyone.” Immediately, I remembered that I had the can of silly string, so out it came, and I proceeded to cover Brudge with the full contents of that can. We stood there at the side of…

THIS MONTH, WE HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH TWO BELOVED VOICES IN GOSPEL MUSIC—PAT BARKER AND ASHLEY FRANKS—FOR A LIGHTHEARTED ROUND OF “THIS OR THAT.” FROM LUXURY HOTELS TO CHAOTIC DESKS, WE GAVE THEM A LIST OF FUN CHOICES TO SEE WHERE THEY STAND. THEIR ANSWERS REVEAL NOT ONLY THEIR PERSONALITIES BUT ALSO THE DOWN-TO-EARTH CHARM THAT MAKES THEM FAN FAVORITES. LET’S DIVE INTO WHAT THEY PICKED! PAT BARKER CAMPING OR LUXURY HOTEL: Luxury Hotel GET UP EARLY OR STAY UP LATE: Yes to both. Usually go to bed around one or two in the morning and get up around six or seven. VINYL RECORDS OR STREAMING LIVE: Vinyl Records, I have around 6000 in my collection TIDY DESK OR CREATIVE CHAOS: Chaos. Nothing creative about it. ONE TAB OR 27…