BONIFAY—The Bonifay Southern Gospel Sing starts at 5 p.m. July 5 at the Holmes County High School, 825 West U.S. Highway 90. Doors open at 4 p.m. Concessions will be available.
See the gallery of artists performing at the event>>
Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at the door for adults. Tickets for people ages 6 – 12 cost $5 in advance and $8 at the door, and ages 5 and younger free. Group discounts are available.
For more information, or to purchase or reserve tickets, call 850-547-1356, email four_calvary@yahoo.com, or on the Facebook pages for fourcalvary or Bonifay Southern Gospel Sing.
There will be limited floor seating. Stadium seats are allowed in the bleacher section. Handicap-accessible seating is also available.
Bonifay is known for the “Biggest All Night Sing in the World.” Dating back to the early 1950s with promoter J.G. Whitfield, the sing has a long of history of success and popularity over its 62 years. During its most popular run in the 1970s and 80s, the sing would draw as many as 14,000 – 15,000 fans.
Southern gospel artists that have been on the Bonifay platform include The Happy Goodmans, Rex Nelon, George Younce, Glenn Payne, Jim Hamill, Anthony Burger, JD Sumner, and more.
The sing has experienced many changes over the years, but there are several things that have remained constant: the music, the message, and deep history.
This year’s lineup includes Kevin Williams, guitarist for Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band; Wes Hampton, tenor for the Gaither Vocal Band); The Nelons; Four Calvary; and One Heart.
Kevin Williams began touring with the legendary Wendy Bagwell & The Sunliters until 1995, when he produced the group’s last project, “I Feel Like Singing.”
Since then, he has become an integral part of the Gaither Homecoming Tour, and as a studio session player has played on countless recordings. He is guitar player and band director for the Gaither Homecoming Tour.
Wes Hampton grew up with an admiration for music, especially the music of Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Michael English and the Gaither Vocal Band. Wes was part of the worship staff at a Birmingham, Ala. church for seven years, until he accepted the tenor position for the Gaither Vocal Band in June, 2005.
Wes won the 2006 Singing News Horizon Individual Fan Award for best new artist and was nominated with the Gaither Vocal Band for a Grammy in 2007 (“Give it Away”) and in 2008 (“Lovin’ Life”). Wes’s first project with the Gaither Vocal Band, “Give it Away,” won three Dove Awards from the GMA in 2007 for best southern gospel song of the year, best southern gospel record of the year and best long form video of the year. Wes’s third album with the Gaither Vocal Band, “Lovin’ Life,” won a GRAMMY in 2009 for best southern gospel or country bluegrass album as well as a Dove Award. The GVB’s project, “Reunited,” received a Dove Award in 2010 for best southern gospel record of the year. Wes has also released two solo albums.
With numerable awards and accolades including three Grammy nominations, six Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and many songs that have soared to the top of national radio charts, The Nelons continue to produce innovative music that embraces their traditional roots, while simultaneously reaching beyond various musical boundaries with an emphasis on introducing songs for the church.
They are regulars on the Bill Gaither Homecoming Tour and the famed Gaither Homecoming Video Series. The Nelons released their new CD on June 24.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bonifay Southern Gospel Sing is this Saturday (GALLERY)