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www.lexingtonsoutherngospel.com
"Promoting Southern Gospel Music & Christian Unity"

*Concert History*
The Lexington Southern Gospels Concert Series started with a trial concert on Palm Sunday in April 2000 at the Lexington Masonic Temple. The group "The Sammons Brothers" were scheduled to perform that evening. Their tenor, Jamie Pittman, was ill and Tom and Jack Sammons "drafted" their wives in that emergency. Out of this situation, "Sammons Brothers and Company" was formed. A total of 35 persons enjoyed that Concert and all agreed that they would like the series to continue.
We started the Concert Series on September 10th, 2000, at the Masonic Temple with the all-male quartet "New Destiny". Lexington Police Officer Pat Dawson attended our October 2000 Concert and she was so impressed with the program that she volunteered to assist in getting it going. Pat also got Pastor Linda Jo Powers of the Lexington United Methodist Church interested and at the November Concert, Pastor Linda Jo on that date offered the Methodist Church to the group for further Concerts. The Concert Series was not moved until May of 2001 to the United Methodist Church. That first concert drew 26 people. The following month, June, saw the Concert Series change direction. "Hope's Call", a new female trio at that time, came for a concert and we had our newest record of 75 in attendance. July came and we had 90 come to see "The Grimshaw's". Larger crowds started coming to these concerts.
April 2002 was our next milestone when 150 came to see "Hope's Call" return to Lexington. July 1, 2002 came and Pastor Linda Jo Powers, who was then our Co-Chairperson, was transferred to Beaverton and Pastor Betty Blair assumed the duties at Lexington UMC. She, too, was a beacon of light for the Concert Committee. From April through September the series attracted an average attendance of 103 persons. October 2002 saw us hit our peak when 199 patrons filled the Sanctuary of the Lexington United Methodist Church to see "The Calvarymen Quartet." October, 2003 brought new records again when the "Calvarymen Quartet" sang to a record crowd of 233.
One highlight came when on April 11th 2003 when we hosted our first Nationally known Group. Two weeks prior to that date we received an offer to have "The Weatherford's" in Concert on that date. The Weatherford's have appeared on many of the Gaither Homecoming Video's. After much scrambling, with our committee working as a team, we were able to pull this one off. The Weatherford's were very pleased with the turnout (120) and Love Offering and mentioned maybe they could come back in 2004. And come back they did on September 5, 2004. They are beautiful people singing beautiful Christian music.
Our goal is to feature the finest in Southern Gospel Music and to Promote Christian Unity throughout the Thumb. We had people representing at least 69 different Church's attend our Concert Series during 2002. We have had persons from at least 237 different Church's attend our Concert Series since we started keeping track in 2002. We recently had the Pastor from Prairie Du Chren, Wisconsin visit us. Even more recently we had a gentleman from Ashland, NE in attendance. At our April 2010 Concert we had four (4) young people from Italy drop in. They stated they had never heard Southern Gospel Music before and they really enjoyed it.
All concerts are held at the Lexington United Methodist Church which is located at 5597 S. Main St., In beautiful downtown Lexington, MI. just two blocks south of the light. We thank the members of the Lexington United Methodist Church for allowing us to host these concerts for well over eleven years now.
• Last Concert and Upcoming
LAST: Concert # 141 "The Gospelmen" Talk about serving the Lord. These guys put on a concert that was out of this world. Lots of Southern Gospel Music mixed with some of the old times Hymns.
COMING UP: Concert # 142 - "Stronghold" - When this group first appeared at Lexington, our head usher emailed me and said that the other all male quartets had better pay attention to this group. They are that good. And what a selection of songs they bring with them. Don't miss "Stronghold" this May 20th.
More on our upcoming concerts on our schedule page.
PRAYER CONCERNS:
Please be praying for Paul Geer, a member of the Lexington United Methodist Church who is currently in the University of Michigan Hospital. Paul is fighting a battle with that dreaded cancer. Paul and his wife have been long time supporters of our concert series.
Please also be praying for Pastor Woody Nelson of the Columbus Bible Church who is having some health problems. Pastor Woody is a long time supporter of our concert series.
All members of the Armed Forces serving around the world as they continue to keep our country free.
Committee:
Tom Drake, Chairman (email)
gospelman713@att.net
Co-Chair Ollie Spencer 810-648-2496
Barbara Drake 810-385-9037
Russell & Minnie Leibler 810-648-2817
Joyce Coon 810-359-7618
David Sonck 810-679-3301
Gary & Sue Buckingham
Judy Johnson
Greg Krafcsik.
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© 2011 The Lexington Southern Gospel News