Southern Gospel Music promoter Robert York of Georgia is taking a new direction for one of his upcoming shows

September 13th

Southern Gospel Music promoter Robert York of Georgia is taking a new direction for one of his upcoming shows.

Included among the top promoters in the U.S., York has hosted the top talent in the industry for his North Metro Atlanta Gospel Singings.

“We have decided to add to our concert lineup an evening of acoustic and bluegrass gospel,” York said. “Many people in our area have requested we do some of this type of show.”

York decided to include artists that enjoy success in several genres – Randall Franks, the Watkins Family and Les Butler.

The music ministries will appear on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in the 600-seat Shiloh Hills Baptist Church auditorium at 75 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw, Ga.

Franks, a TV/Film star, columnist, musician, and entertainer is well known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”

“Randall is a Top-20 selling Christian artist who has acted in several recent films and appeared for the Grand Ole Opry several times,” York said. “He is recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a Legend for his contributions to bluegrass.”
Adding to the entertainment of the evening will be emcee and musician Les Butler.

“Les is your weekend afternoon host on Solid Gospel radio across the country as well as the host of the popular weekend programs – ‘Front Porch Fellowship’ (bluegrass gospel) and ‘The Old Country Church’ (country gospel),” York said. “He is also host of popular TV show Harmony Road.  It’s not unusual to find him on stage at any given concert adding his talents from mandolin, piano, guitar, and Dobro to playing the bass. His show won the annual Achievement In Radio Award in 1999.”

One of America’s best loved acoustic music families – the Watkins Family have served as gospel music ambassadors from the state of Georgia to the world for more than three decades,

“Many family groups have made a name for themselves in the fields of gospel, bluegrass and country music but few can claim performance success in all three genres while never veering from their sincere dedication that their music should always reflect the love of Jesus,” York said.

York said whether the Watkins are performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Randy Travis and Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or National Quartet Convention in front of thousands, or in the pulpit of a small country church, 2008 Impact Award nominee the Watkins Family raise spirits and hopes of the life to be led as servants of Christ through their harmonies.

“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,” York said.

According to York, if response for the concert is positive, then he will be looking seriously at adding more events that share the music of the mountains with Southern gospel audiences of Atlanta.

Tickets for the event are $20 at the door or $15 in advance by mail to Robert York, 4030 Ebenezer Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30066.

Atlanta Southern gospel promoter brings acoustic and bluegrass sounds to his concert series

Southern Gospel Music promoter Robert York of Georgia is taking a new direction for one of his upcoming shows.

Included among the top promoters in the U.S., York has hosted the top talent in the industry for his North Metro Atlanta Gospel Singings.

“We have decided to add to our concert lineup an evening of acoustic and bluegrass gospel,” York said. “Many people in our area have requested we do some of this type of show.”  

York decided to include artists that enjoy success in several genres – Randall Franks, the Watkins Family and Les Butler.

The music ministries will appear on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the 600-seat Shiloh Hills Baptist Church auditorium at 75 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw, Ga.

Franks, a TV/Film star, columnist, musician, and entertainer is well known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”

“Randall is a top-20 selling Christian artist who has acted in several recent films and appeared for the Grand Ole Opry several times,” York said. “He is recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a Legend for his contributions to bluegrass.”
Adding to the entertainment of the evening will be emcee and musician Les Butler.

“Les is your weekend afternoon host on Solid Gospel radio across the country as well as the host of the popular weekend programs - 'Front Porch Fellowship' (bluegrass gospel) and 'The Old Country Church' (country gospel),” York said. “He is also host of popular TV show Harmony Road.  It's not unusual to find him on stage at any given concert adding his talents from mandolin, piano, guitar, and Dobro to playing the bass. His show won the annual Achievement In Radio Award in 1999.”

One of America’s best loved acoustic music families - the Watkins Family have served as gospel music ambassadors from the state of Georgia to the world for more than three decades,

“Many family groups have made a name for themselves in the fields of gospel, bluegrass and country music but few can claim performance success in all three genres while never veering from their sincere dedication that their music should always reflect the love of Jesus,” York said.

York said whether the Watkins are performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Randy Travis and Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or National Quartet Convention in front of thousands, or in the pulpit of a small country church, 2008 Impact Award nominee the Watkins Family raise spirits and hopes of the life to be led as servants

of Christ through their harmonies.

“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,” York said.

According to York, if response for the concert is positive, then he will be looking seriously at adding more events that share the music of the mountains with Southern gospel audiences of Atlanta.

Tickets for the event are $20 at the door or $15 in advance by mail to Robert York, 4030 Ebenezer Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30066. 

The Watkins Family Inducted into Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame

The Watkins Family are inducted into Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame

The acoustic music of the Watkins Family has thrilled audiences for more than 30 years and the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame recently recognized that accomplishment.

The group from Toccoa, Ga. currently includes matriarch Judy Watkins and her two adult children - Todd and Lorie. They continue a path sharing their love of Jesus through acoustic music touring across the United States and Canada.

“This is such an honor for our family to receive,” Lorie said. “To be recognized in such a manner for the many years of hard work and service in music is very humbling.”

The late Don Watkins and Judy began their ministry in the 1970s and added their children Todd, Lorie and Shanon as each took an interest in participating.

“There are so many to thank, our family, friends, church family, and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ - our Savior,” Lorie said. “This ministry was the vision of our dad, Donald H. Watkins, and mom many years ago. We are just so thankful to be able to continue the work that our parents started and hope to continue for many, many years to come.”

Lorie and Todd performed at the event as part of the All-Star Band and Judy joined in to perform “Pass Me Not.”

The Watkins Family’s latest project is “Heaven's Worth Waiting For”yielded three songs landing on various charts in the Top 10 for southern, bluegrass or country gospel – “She's Working On Her Testimony,””Sometime's You Gotta Rock The Boat,”and “What A Wonderful Name.”

The CD produced by Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominated Karen Peck Gooch, and Danny Jones followed their acclaimed project “Darkness Wept” which brought the popular radio singles “He's Still God,” a number 1 song, “Love Stood Alone” and “Round The Last Turn.”

The Watkins Family and its members have received multiple nominations for the Front Porch Fellowship Bluegrass Gospel Music Awards.

Members of the Watkins Family have appeared as part of the National Quartet Convention All-Star Band on numerous occasions.

The group has shared concert stages performing for thousands beside acts such a Randy Travis and Diamond Rio. They have appeared at major industry events including the National Quartet Convention in Kentucky and the SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Convention in Nashville, Tenn. as well as large ministerial crusades.

The family has performed on television broadcasts for INSP, Inspirational Network and dozens of stations around the U.S. And Canada.

The group broke new ground in becoming the first bluegrass gospel act to perform on Capitol Hill in the Capitol Complex in Washington D.C. attended by dignitaries from around the world.

The Watkins Family has received nominations as Best Contemporary and Traditional Bluegrass Gospel Group by the Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music in America and was also nominated as Best Bluegrass Act at the Coca-Cola Music Awards previously hosted in Atlanta.

"We just thank the Lord for all He’s done for us and our work in music," Judy said. "Awards, honors and amazing opportunities are blessings but there is no greater blessing than working each day sharing His story of salvation.

"Don would be so proud right now,” she said. "I know he’s somewhere in Heaven smiling."

For more information, visit www.watkinsfamilymusic.com.