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Introduction
Rockport’s Gospel Music Festival
By
Gary Howard
Music Festival Coordinator

Rockport’s Gospel Music Festival began in 1995 as a gospel music concert sponsored by “Rockport’s Gospel Force” police quartet.  It has been our goal from the beginning to give our citizens and visiting Winter Texas friends an enjoyable time of Christian entertainment and praise through gospel music.  The Gospel Music Festival has grown larger and larger each year and it is because you continue to support this festival with your attendance, your prayers and your contributions.  Without your consistent support through prayer, attendance and generous contributions the festival would never have grown to the three-day event that is has been the past couple of years.

Some of the first groups to perform for Rockport’s annual Gospel Music Festival were “Song of Glory”, the “Telestials” from Nashville, and many other local gospel groups and individual singers. It does not seem possible that we are about to be celebrating our 13th annual event this year.  We sincerely appreciate the support received for this Gospel Music Festival from generous Christian people all over the area.  The support of local churches, Christian owned businesses, our winter Texan friends, and our local citizens has been overwhelming. We look forward to your continued generosity and support as we continue on through the next several years.

We are blessed to welcome the Melody Boys Quartet from Little Rock, Ark., for the first time this year. Well known in the Southern Gospel industry for their tight vocal blend and classic styling, the Melody Boys Quartet is committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. Gerald Williams, 2006 inductee into the Southern Gospel Music Associations’ Hall of Fame, has been singing bass for the Melody Boys Quartet for more than 50 years. Gerald is respected through the Industry as a man of integrity with a true heart for the Lord.  The youngest member, Caleb Matheny was raised in Columbia, Miss and adds his smooth baritone voice and sparkling personality to the group.  Indiana native Scott Baker shines in the tenor spot for the Melody Boys Quartet.  Lead singer Terry Robertson hales from Bryant Arkansas. Please make them feel welcome to our festivals and to South Texas.   Other groups and individuals appearing for the first time include The Homesteaders from Oklahoma, Christian Heirs from Houston, Texas, Mike Franklin (former Bass with the Melody Boys Quartet) from Tennessee, and Ted Watson from Salem Oregon. 

We are thrilled to welcome for the first time as our MC, John Olsen from Beaumont, Texas.  John is no stranger to Southern Gospel music, having performed in or with the Nelons, The Florida Boys, Brian Free and Assurance and the Chuck Wagon Gang.  John was singing bass with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet for several years and was with the group when they appeared at our festival here in Rockport.  John has been music director for Colony Baptist Church in the Houston area.  Please join me in making him feel welcome.

We are very proud once again this year to have the outstanding Crimson River Quartet with us, from Mission Viejo, Ca.  They have become our very dear friends and we look forward to each year as they support our event and incur much time and expense to be with us.  Other groups coming back again are, The Nelons, from Smyrna , Georgia who have appeared numerous time on the Bill Gaither Video Series, "The Goldens", from Tyler, Texas, voted mixed duet of the year, Jerry Bennett from LaVergne Tennessee,  "The Telestials", from Nashville, Tennessee, the Moody’s,  Relations Quartet, Shiloh Quartet, and David’s Song, all from different areas of Texas, the bluegrass music of "The Bailey Family", and of course Rockport's own " Gospel Force" Quartet. These are only a few groups!! Local and regional groups as well as community choirs, give this festival something for everyone to enjoy!

Some outstanding gospel groups and individuals that have graciously volunteered to share their message in song, praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, have truly blessed Rockport-Fulton by their presence here.  Please pray for them and make them feel welcome.  Please continue to pray for the success of the Rockport Gospel Music Festival and next year’s 14th annual scheduled for January 9th, 10th, and 11th of 2009.  As always we hope that you receive a blessing form this music and that the message will lead many people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

God Bless you and Happy New Year!!

Friday, January 4, 2008 6:00 pm--10:00 pm Rockport-Fulton HS Auditorium
Saturday, January 5, 2008 10:00 am--10:00 pm Rockport-Fulton HS Auditorium
Sunday, January 6, 2008 3:00 pm--9:00 pm First Baptist Church, Rockport

Click here for the complete 2008 SCHEDULE


Maps


Friday and Saturday
Martha Luigi Auditorium
Rockport-Fulton High School, Rockport

 


Sunday
First Baptist Church, Rockport

 

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For more information on this gospel quartet or for booking information please contact Cmdr. Gary Howard at 361-790-1105, or write “Rockport’s Gospel Force” c/o First Baptist Church, 1515 N. Live Oak St. Rockport, Texas 78382.
Email address is
ghoward@cityofrockport.com or grhoward@dbstech.com