JUNE 11, 2011@ 6 PM

THE WATKINS FAMILY

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. Whether performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Randy Travis and Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or gospel concert 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. Their newest CD “Heaven’s Worth Waiting For” features a group at the height of their abilities. Produced by Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominee Karen Peck Gooch and Danny Jones the CD follows their acclaimed project “Darkness Wept.” The successful career was born from the dreams of the late Don Watkins, a guitarist/vocalist, and his wife Judy began a ministry in the 1970s that grew to include their son Todd and daughters, Lorie and Shanon. The family continues to tour across the United States and Canada appearing at gospel singings, fairs, bluegrass festivals and ministerial conferences and crusades. Lorie and Todd share emcee duties on stage while passing nine instruments between them and their sister Shanon as their performances move forward with almost a seamless since of clockwork as Judy joins in with her harmonies and helps to orchestrate seamless changes. Todd shares his proficiency on guitar, resonator guitar, and bass, and singing numerous parts and tools the sound heard through the group’s equipment to the highest level of perfection. Two-time Female Artist of the Year nominee Lorie Watkins sings and plays banjo, mandolin and guitar on stage. Shanon sings leads and harmony excelling as she performs on the bass and fiddle. The family made a heralded appearance at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in 2007 where Lorie performed with the legendary banjo stylist Earl Scruggs. The group’s appearance was broadcast on the INSP, Inspirational Network. Lorie made a return appearance to share the stage as part of Tim Lovelace’s NQC All-Star Band in 2008. They have appeared on shows with legendary names of bluegrass such as Jim and Jesse, Mac Wiseman, and gospel music stars including The Speers, Gov. Jimmie Davis, and The Lewis Family. The Watkins Family have received nominations for Impact Award and Female Artist of the Year from the Front Porch Fellowship hosted at the National Quartet Convention, Best Contemporary and Traditional Bluegrass Gospel Group by the Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music in America which hosts its annual awards in Nashville, and were also nominated as Best Bluegrass Act at the Coca-Cola Music Awards previously hosted in Atlanta. With numerous albums to their credit they have gained several charting songs in different genres. The group broke new ground in 1988 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 FOUNDATIONS

Foundations Ministries (The Foundations) is a southern gospel group based out of Greeneville, TN. The group was conceived in July of 1992. Ronnie Thompson and his son Stephen had played together in a regional quartet since 1988. While they enjoyed using their talents, they had a desire to create a ministry focused group. After much prayer, they followed the Lord’s leading and began a new work…Foundations Ministries. The namesake verse for the group is I Corinthians 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid is Jesus Christ.” In the early years the group went through a few personnel changes and sang mostly in the area around Greeneville. The current line up has been together since the mid-1990’s. Along with this solidarity of personnel, the “mission field” has expanded. As a regional group, The Foundations work primarily in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Foundations are always sensitive to the Spirit and are willing to journey wherever the Lord leads and confirms. The Foundations schedule mainly consists of church concerts in the region. Recent years have found them on the rosters of festivals and other events such as: Apple Festival in (Erwin, TN), Iris Festival (Greeneville, TN), Grand Ole Gospel Reunion and Castlewood Annual Gospel Sing (Castlewood, VA). The group’s musical style is Southern Gospel. They use a mix of old standards and hymns with some modern favorites thrown in for good measure. They use a combination of live band music and soundtracks during their presentation of the greatest story ever told through southern gospel music.

OUT OF ASHES

TIMMY WILLIAMSON

Timmy Williamson is 19 year old from Norfolk, VA. He was home-schooled for many years before attending Norfolk Christian High School where he enjoyed activities such as soccer, tennis, drama, and being part of the praise team and choruses. Timmy now lives in Virginia Beach and attends Grace Baptist Church. He has been involved with Grace's children's ministry, youth praise team, and adult praise team for many years. He also directed 4 children's musicals at Grace. Currently, he is a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He is studying in the worship department as well as pursuing a minor in theatre arts. Timmy is an accomplished vocalist and performer of Souther Gospel, Contemporary Christian, and Broadway music. He has performed in many musicals, churches, concerts, and other events. Timmy recorded his first album "No Strangers to Him" In July 2009.