Madison United Methodist to host gospel concert Sept. 29

MADISON – The United Methodist Women of Madison United Methodist Church will sponsor “Down by the River” – a gospel concert – Sunday, Sept. 29.

The event will be held at Madison United Methodist Church Christian Life Center at 127 Church Street in Madison from 2 to 4 p.m.

Concert participants are The Blue Notes 5, Serenade, The Church Street Boys, The No Name Gospel String Band, The Chancel Choir of Madison United Methodist Church and Soloists and Kirk Durbin on the piano.

“Almost all of the United Methodist women are working on this,” said JoAnn Frazier, president of United Methodist Women of MUMC. “We’re contacting other churches in the nearby Madison area and hoping we can get them to come join us for a Sunday afternoon of wonderful music.”

The Blue Notes 5 is comprised of six Huntsville Police Department officers – Eric Newby, Gerald Johnson, Charles Draper, Willie Jordan, Thomas Kelly and Lt. Jeffrey Rice – who began singing together in 2005 when they performed the National Anthem during the police academy graduation.

Newby said the group – which has no formal music training – sings a cappella gospel music and enjoys engaging with its audiences.

“It’s usually nothing scripted,” Newby said. “It just comes from the Lord … we enjoy it. When we’re smiling and singing, we’re having a good day.”

The Blue Notes 5 sang at the memorial service for former Gov. Guy Hunt. In addition, the City of Huntsville honored the Blue Notes 5 in 2006 by proclamation, recording them as a part of Huntsville’s history.

Serenade is a ladies ensemble consisting of six members from Huntsville and Madison – LaNette Bass, Wendy Cantrell, Cindy Cooke, Connie Evans, Pam Gross and Jenni Gunnells. The group formed in 1989 and has performed throughout the southeastern United States.

“We love a cappella – the blending of voices and harmonies is a passion we have, and we want to represent acoustic gospel music,” Cantrell said.

Serenade has performed the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves as well as the Huntsville Stars. Cantrell said she hopes people will come out to “Down by the River” for an evening of music and fellowship.

Tickets are $8 and will be sold at the door. Admission for children 10 and under is free, and parking is also free.

Proceeds from the concert will support local mission projects, and a reception for all will follow the concert.

If anyone would like to reserve tickets to pick up at the door, contact JoAnn Frazier at 256-489-1272.