Sacred Sounds Fridays features the Watkins Family and Wesley Crider
Acoustic gospel performers the Watkins Family and internationally known guitarist Wesley Crider will bring their distinct sounds to Ringgold’s Patriot Hall on Friday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m., 320 Emberson Street, in a special concert for the Share America Foundation, Inc. Also appearing will be Southern gospel artist Channing Eleton Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” will emcee. Ticket donation is $10.
One of America’s best loved acoustic music families – the Watkins Family – Judy, Lorie and Todd – share gospel music across the U.S. and Canada.
“The blessings that the Lord shares as we continue to travel sharing his story through song are The Watkins Family will appear at Ringgold’s Patriot Hall April 13.
amazing,” Judy said.
The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame members made a name for themselves in the fields of gospel, bluegrass and country music.
“Whether the Watkins are performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or National Quartet Convention in front of thousands, they
raise the spirits and hopes through their harmonies,” Franks said.
The family will include new music from their latest release “Choices” as well as top hits from their other CDs.
“There is no greater blessing than working each day sharing His story of salvation through song,” Lorie said.
“While the musical legacy of the Watkins family reaches back for generations in the mountains of northeast Georgia, their music today reflects the best in harmonies and musical instrumentation that can be heard,” Franks said.
For more information, visit www. watkinsfamilymusic. com.
Crider is the 2004 International Thumbpicking Champion.
“My dad gave me my first guitar at age six and taught me my first chords G, C, & D,” he said.
From there he was inspired by the sounds of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins performed by his older brother Lloyd and Dalton guitarist Earl Eleton.
Crider performed on many southern gospel albums with several gospel groups including Day Star, The Trailblazers, The New Hinsons, The Called Vocal Group, and Solid Ground. For more information, visit wesleycrider.com.
The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. The Share America Foundation, Inc., a Georgia non-profit, presents scholarships to talented musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts. Donations for tickets are adults: $10, Children 12 and under free with adult. For more information, www.shareamericafoundation.