Bill Gaither and his friends sing gospel music. Their Lovin' Life Homecoming Tour is music with a message of worship and praise, but Gaither's proud to call it entertaining, too.
"I have never shied away from the word 'entertainment' because Jesus was obviously a pretty good entertainer to hold the attention of 5,000 people by the Sea of Galilee," Gaither said in a telephone interview.
Gaither has been in the Holy Land and stood in the places where Jesus stood when he spoke to his followers.
"I'd think, 'Now, how in the world did he do it? How did he hold their attention?' He must have been a good storyteller."
Gaither's Lovin' Life Homecoming Tour will stop at 3 p.m. Sunday at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. His musical guests will include the Gaither Vocal Band (David Phelps, Michael English, Wes Hampton and Mark Lawry), Gordon Mote; Janet Paschal, Linda Randle, Ben Speer, Russ Taff and Kevin Williams.
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The Gaither Vocal Band and other Homecoming artists are wrapping up their tour of 32 cities that began in January. Gaither's latest studio project, "Lovin' Life," garnered a prestigious Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel Album during the 51st annual awards ceremony.
It was the eighth win overall for the Gaither Vocal Band and its predecessor, the Bill Gaither Trio, a news release said. Bill and Gloria Gaither have also won Grammy Awards for the Homecoming series of videos and received the President's Merit Award in 2005. The CD was produced by all four members of the Vocal Band, and marks the first win for members Guy Penrod, Wes Hampton and Marshall Hall.
Gaither, who grew up in the "very vocal age" of the Four Lads and the Inkspots, said he's always loved harmony. At his show, fans can expect good music, humor and fun, and a gospel fellowship.
Gospel music, with its themes of redemption, of the prodigal son coming home and of God's grace, is positive and joyful. He likes to think of the music inspiring people and lifting their spirits. It is great entertainment. However, Gaither said, the bottom line is that it's music with a message, too.
"If I was just doing music with no message, I think, at age 70, I would go to the mountains of North Carolina and retire," he said.
Reach Tobin at (701) 780-1134; (800) 477-6572, ext. 134; or send e-mail to ptobin@gfherald.com .
