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Wilmore to debut Gospel on the Green

June 03, 2009|Tyler Young

The newest addition to Wilmore's line of concerts is Gospel on the Green, a Friday night series featuring gospel singers from all over the country at the downtown green giving free shows.

Gospel on the Green, which begins Friday night, will spotlight 32 groups in 12 weeks, said Promoter Jody Brock.

"All these groups are gospel singers who have chosen to come for free," she said. "Sometimes I try to find them a church over the weekend if they have to travel very far just for a love offering."

The groups will venture from as far as Alabama, such as Sheridan Gospel Network Diamond Award nominee Wendy Word and the Forgiven. Some will be local talent, including Brock's group, Two Journey and the Kentucky Duo.

Brock said she felt a calling from God to organize a weekly gospel exhibition to help spread Christianity through music.

"I just felt like God was really calling me to get some gospel music and get the gospel around as much as I could," she said. "I travel and sing, and I'm gone a lot. I just felt like we needed to do something like that."

So she began calling bands and getting recommendations from friends on who she could contact. Since she doesn't have a budget, she had to convince groups to play for free and be able to set up merchandise tables and donation boxes. She said aside from the 32 she got OKs from, there are 15 more still on a waiting list.

"I've had so many groups coming in, I've actually extended (the concerts) 30 minutes in the beginning (to 6:30 p.m.)," she said. "Then at the end, if there are still a lot of people there, we'll let (the bands) sing them out."

The concerts are free to the public, but Brock asked that those who attend bring a canned good for the Wilmore-High Bridge Community Center or send donations to the concert series or the artists. Anybody who would like to help out with funds can donate to Gospel on the Green at city hall, and anyone who wants to help with concerts themselves should come early to help set up tables and chairs.

Tables, chairs and restroom facilities will be available. Attendees can also buy dinner, which will be served by different local restaurants each week.

Friday night's inaugural concert will feature Jagged Cross, Two Journey and the Kentucky Duo, and Compassion Quartet. Food will be served by Union Station Barbecue.

The concerts will go from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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