Executive Director,
Frankfort Arts Foundation
photos by Kelly Mackey
"Gospel music is music that inspires us greatly. It is music of the spirit. It speaks to the heart," said internationally acclaimed gospel vocalist Kenny Bishop.
Whether you enjoy contemporary, Bluegrass, traditional, inspirational, or Southern gospel, you will hear it all this Friday night, 7:30 p.m., the Frankfort Arts Foundation presents Great Community Gospel in Bradford Hall on the Kentucky State University with a curtain at 7:30 p.m.
Four gospel artists or groups will perform in concert including Grammy Award nominee and GMA Dove Award winning vocalist Kenny Bishop, Capital City Chorale, No Tools Loaned, and the KSU Gospel Ensemble. Each group will sing approximately 30 minutes. The community is encouraged to attend and, then, compare, contrast, and enjoy all types of gospel music that will be presented.
Gospel music is a popular form or style of music that is internationally recognized. In Frankfort and Franklin County, gospel music is equally popular and has been established as an important musical genre or art form. There are many musicians who perform gospel music regularly at churches, schools, festivals, fairs, concerts, and public events in our community.
Dr. Leon Richard, a Professor of Music at Kentucky State University, agrees.
"Gospel music has established itself as a viable art form," Richard said. "All across America gospel music is part of fine arts programs and educational offerings in universities, public schools, and communities. There are many styles of gospel music, ranging from classical to hip hop, which have broad appeal to everyone."
Gospel music has its roots in Christian hymns and Negro spirituals and its beginnings in the early 1900s. A common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship, or thanks to God and/or Christ. Most people enjoy the dominant vocals and rich harmony characterized by gospel music. Vocalists perform either a capella (singing without instruments) or with instrumentation.
Kenny Bishop
Great Community Gospel will feature Grammy Award nominee and GMA Dove Award winning vocalist Kenny Bishop. He will highlight the evening with music running from Southern gospel to inspirational music. His selections are familiar: "Lord, Have Mercy," "God Is Looking At My Heart," "More Than Amazing," and "I Can't Believe What Grace Has Done For Me."
Bishop, an internationally recognized gospel vocalist, has appeared on the nation's leading stages, including Trinity Broadcasting Network, Gaither Homecoming Tour, National Quartet Convention, and The Grand Ole Opry. He has been featured on TNN's Nashville Now, CNN, Fox News, and in Billboard Magazine.
For nearly 20 years Bishop traveled with his dad and brother in one of Christian music's most popular Southern gospel trios, The Bishops. The family trio garnered industry and fan awards including the coveted Gospel Music Association Dove Award, as well as, numerous number one and top ten songs. The Bishops, as a group, retired in 2001. Their performance style was Southern gospel or what is popularly known as "pure harmony."
Bishop spent a few years away from music following his family's retirement and then returned to the music scene with his album, Kenny Bishop, in 2006. The success of his return record made headlines with a surprise Grammy Award nomination and two GMA Dove Award nominations.
Bishop's self-titled solo release was nominated in the Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album category.
"This recording was simply a reflection of my passion for the message of grace and forgiveness at every level," Bishop said. "I'd never, ever have imagined it would receive such an honor. I was truly, truly humbled and grateful."
Bishop works in Frankfort and is a supporter of the arts in the community.
Capital City Chorale
The Capital City Chorale, under the direction of Gary Johnson, will sing a mixture of traditional and contemporary gospel music. Selections include "Ride On, King Jesus," "Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho," "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," "Order My Steps," "Elijah Rock," "Way Over in Beulah Land" and "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit." Eloise Terhune will accompany the chorus on the grand piano. The program will feature arrangements by famed composers Moses Hogan, William L. Dawson, and Jester Hairston.
"The Capital City Chorale is very pleased and honored to participate in this event. The spiritual is one of our favorite kinds of music, and we are very pleased that the FAF has chosen to highlight this very American art form and its derivatives," said Johnson.
Consisting of music professionals to the average music lover,the Capital City Choraleperforms at a variety of venues around Frankfort, from Stewart Home School to KSU Bradford Hall to the Governor's Mansion. The group of approximately 40 musicians performs music of all kinds, including gospel, jazz, Blues, folk, romantic ballads, choruses from classical operas, cantatas, and Renaissance madrigals. Frankfort's community chorus has been part of the Frankfort arts scene since 1994 and is an active supporter of other arts programs in the community.
No Tools Loaned
No Tools Loaned is a Bluegrass band based in Frankfort. The group includes Wesley Atha, Jack Burch, Scotty Campbell, and Mike Sudduth. Atha is the guitar player and lead singer of the band. Burch plays dobro and sings baritone vocal. Campbell plays banjo and also sings baritone vocal. Sudduth plays mandolin and sings tenor, as well as, lead vocal.
The group is known for its high-spirited Bluegrass gospel music and resounding four-part harmony. "Bluegrass Gospel Music is Bluegrass Music that is blessed by the Holy Spirit," said Atha, spokesman for the band. The group will sing acapella and with instruments.
No Tools Loaned has been performing since 2000 and is one of the area's premier Bluegrass bands. Members of the band have 30 years of performing experience. The group appears frequently at popular Bluegrass and folk festivals around Kentucky and adjoining states.
Band members are proud of a recent concert review in Bluegrass Unlimited. "This Frankfort, Kentucky-based Bluegrass band has a style that is uniquely No Tools Loaned. Combining classic Bluegrass standards with some unique and intriguing original songs, No Tools Loaned has something for everyone to enjoy."
KSU Gospel Ensemble
Performing as part of Great Community Gospel will be the dynamic KSU Gospel Ensemble. The ensemble, under the faculty direction of Dr. Leon Richard, is a nationally recognized choir of 60 members. Former student director, James Davis, and student directors Dwayne Plummer and Sheniqua Grayson assist him.
Students at the university organized the KSU Gospel Ensemble in the mid 1960s. It is now an academic course within KSU's Division of Fine Arts. The organization maintains an active schedule and serves as a bridge between the university and church communities. Through development of skills in singing, conducting, accompanying, and arranging, members receive a foundation in preparation for professional careers in church music.
"We have a very energetic group that has a passion for what they do. They are young and enthusiastic. They don't just sing, they move with the spirit. The musical program we have prepared is challenging, both musically and physically," said Richard.
The ensemble will perform a medley with choreography and dancers. Also on the program will be "You Shall Live," "The Light," "Total Praise," and "Since I Laid My Burdens Down." The choir will present dazzling visual effects with their performance.
"The arrangement of "Total Praise" is really a moving one and will feature an amazing range of voice. The combination of orchestration and voices lead to a powerful finale that will captivate everyone," said Richard.