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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, has been 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.
A highlight came when on April 11th 2003 when we hosted a National 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 173 different Church's attend our Concert Series since we started keeping track in 2002.
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 seven years now.
Our Thanks to Jeff Rader of Network Computers (385-6941) for straitening out our Home Page after I accidentally messed it up. They originally built the website and then rebuilt it about four years ago. THANKS JEFF SO VERY MUCH.
• Last Concert and Upcoming
LAST: "The Gospelmen Quartet" were at their best at this concert. What a beautiful selection of songs they presented praising our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "Jerry Garcia" opened the concert. Jerry had never heard The Gospelmen and they had never heard of him. What a wonderful acquaintance developed. They never stopped praising each other. Concert #96 was a great success.
COMING UP: Concert #97. "The Royalheirs" are next up on July 20th. This group just continues to improve. We saw them in Fort Gratiot in May and we were really pleased with their performance. They have a few songs that I just love and no one else sings them.
More on our upcoming concerts on our schedule page.
PRAYER CONCERNS:
Please keep "Joyce Rowley" in your prayers as she continues to recover from some major health problems. Joyce makes many trips from St. Clair Shores each year to visit Lexington's Concert Series.
Please keep "Carolyn Smith," a former committee person and Barb's sister , in your prayers as she continues to recover from major problems in her legs. (knees)
Please keep "Pat Beauparland" (First Baptist Concert Series) in your prayers. She recently had surgery on her back.
Please keep "Valerie Wolfe" (mother of Carole Price, North Street Methodist Concert Series) in your prayers. She recently had knee reconstruction.
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
Joyce Coon 810-359-7618
David Sonck 810-679-3301
Jerry & Marilyn Weyenuth 810-679-3481
Pastor Betty Blair
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© 2007 The Lexington Southern Gospel News