Columbus-based singer Ron Bridgewater will be a part of the Indiana Gospel Association’s Eighth Annual Fanfest event that begins Thursday and runs through June 8.
Gradual, steady growth.
Gospel singer Eric Shaw sees that in the Southern gospel audience in the Columbus area the past few years.
“And this year, we’re hoping even for a little more,” Shaw said.
He referred to himself and the other organizers of the Indiana Gospel Music Association’s Eighth Annual Gospel Music Fanfest at 6 p.m. Thursday through June 8 at East Columbus Christian Church, 3170 Indiana Ave. in Columbus. The event, with a $20 ticket that covers all three nights, has attracted about 500 or more people each of the past few years.
“I think that one new thing we hope to do in the future is to find an easy way for people to purchase their tickets online,” said Shaw, the Fanfest coordinator.
Currently, besides the availability at the door, tickets can be purchased at The Ark book store at Eastbrook Plaza in Columbus or at East Columbus Christian Church.
Last year, besides locals, people came from the surrounding communities and from such nearby areas as Ohio, according to Shaw. Area performers include Ron Bridgewater and The Melton Family, both returning from last year. The Meltons, who tour nationwide, sang all three nights in 2023.
Krista Melton mentioned last year that these kind of gatherings are great to whet new listeners’ appetites for a modern Southern gospel that she said sometimes surprises people.
“They often (suddenly) realize that they like this music even if they don’t immediately know that it is Southern gospel,” Melton said.
Leaders such as Shaw and others have mentioned the past four years that they would love to attract a younger audience. They have said that the average age of ticket buyers is probably 50-plus.
The late Jim Hutson, the local veteran Southern gospel radio personality and Southern gospel singer, said more than once that he was concerned about what he saw as Southern gospel’s struggling national growth — except in areas such as Florida — in a landscape of pop-rock Christian artists embraced by a more general audience.
Yet, local popularity for Southern gospel is solid enough for continued support of the Columbus-based WYGS Southern gospel radio station at 91.1 FM.
Bridgewater, senior minister at East Columbus Christian Church and a Southern gospel performer for years, will serve as an emcee of the gathering. He also will sing some of his original material as a solo act and as part of the trio known by the three-letter name CLR. He is among the favorites of some of the past Fanfests, best known for his song “Jesus and My Dad.”
Nationally touring veteran singer Doug Anderson knows Bridgewater’s music and impact.
“He is on fire with what God is doing in his life, and it shows through his music,” Anderson said.
The overall headliners always close the event on Saturday. This year, the nationally touring Kingsmen, winners of multiple Dove Awards — Christian music’s top honor — are in that role. The group’s latest release is the 2021 disc “More to the Story.” Ray Reese, the group’s manager and bass singer, explained the ensemble’s continuing perspective in comments on the group’s website at kingsmenquartet.com.
“The key is to never lose sight of what we are working toward,” Reese said. “Our music has a message — the message of Christ.”
About the event
What: Indiana Gospel Music Associations’s Eighth Annual Gospel Music Fanfest.
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through June 8.
Where: East Columbus Christian Church, 3170 Indiana Ave. in Columbus.
Admission: $10 daily for Thursday and Friday, $15 for Saturday, or $20 for all three nights.
