|
Gospel Music from the Coast to the Mountains of North Carolina After 84 years, Grandfather Mountain’s annual Singing on the Mountain legacy is still strong. The gathering that began as a small family reunion has blossomed into a joyful celebration of the Appalachian Mountain heritage and will happen yet again at the base of Grandfather Mountain on Sunday, June 22. Founded in 1924 as a family reunion by Joe Hartley, Sr., the singing welcomes thousands to enjoy performances by top southern gospel groups. For the first time this year The Captain’s Crew from the Outer Banks will join Grand Ole Opry Star George Hamilton IV for the singing. Each year, on the fourth Sunday in June, people come to Grandfather Mountain from across the Southern Appalachians to celebrate life and God and to meet others who share their commitment. The singing kicks off with music at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until the mid-afternoon, with a midday break for Kim to deliver his sermon. Admission is free, with the motto remaining the same for 84 years: "Whosoever will may come." Camping is available on the grounds on a first-come basis. The Greenes from Boone will once again serve as the host group and will be joined by a wealth of other southern gospel groups that will take the stage. In addition to the Captain’s Crew and George Hamilton IV performers expected to sing at this year’s event include Michael Combs, The Cockman Family, The Primitive, The Praisemen, Wings of Grace, and The Gospel Enforcers..
The Captain’s Crew Performs for MerleFest was started 20 years ago by a gardener who wanted to raise funds for gardens on the campus of Wilkes Community College and a community of musicians who wanted to honor the memory of a fallen friend, Merle Watson, and his musician father, Doc Watson. It has grown to an internationally renowned music festival and fund-raiser that contributes more than $17 million to the region. MerleFest is committed to producing a high quality diversified American roots based musical experience that attracts a broad audience and reunites guests, supporters and performers in an annual celebration of Americana music. In 2007 the festival attracted 79,412 participants from 48 states and 8 foreign countries. It has affectionately been called the “Super Bowl of Folk Music”. The festival is held in a secure and substance-free setting that complements the experience an fosters and interest in a variety of musical forms representative of the repertoire of Doc and Merle Watson. Doc Watson calls his music “traditional plus.” He has spun blues, bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and folk music into a sound millions recognize and enjoy. From its start, MerleFest has tried to reflect this diversity and present new sounds inspired by these traditions. The festival is committed to the cultural experiences that are interwoven in the music’s foundations and progression. MerleFest will run from April 24-27, 2008. The Captain’s Crew is scheduled to perform on Sunday April 27th from 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM. The band will be joined by Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV and his son, George Hamilton V. Buddy Greene, Nashville’s finest harmonica stylists, will also add his unique blend of music to the concert. Greene is not only a great musician, but is also a successful song writer, best known for his collaboration with Mark Lowry to write, “Mary, Did You Know”, a song that has become a modern-day Christmas standard. He can often be heard on the Bill Gaither homecoming productions. The group will play on the Creekside Stage sponsored by Gibson Guitars. In recent years the musical influence of The Captain’s Crew has begun to reach out around the world. In addition to being heard on radio stations around US the group has gained popularity overseas with several songs on the New Christian Music Charts in Europe including “New Kid In Town” which reached #1 in December 2006. The band was featured on the Outer Banks Christmas special which aired on the commercial and public TV program, “My Heart Will Always Be In Carolina”, hosted by band member Ken Mann. They have appeared on the Midnight Jamboree, the second oldest live radio show in the nation, the Nashville Cowboy Church and many fairs and festivals including the North Carolina State Fair. The band has shared the stage with other national artists including Ricky Van Shelton, The Kingston Trio, John Anderson, Wanda Jackson, The Chairmen of the Board, and The Dixie Melody Boys. Other members of The Captains Crew who will be playing at MerleFest include Eddie and Connie Francis, Roy Riddick, Connie Bateman, Jack Cahoon, Rocky Creef, Rex Simpson and Irvin Ambrose The Captain’s Crew has released five CDs two of which were eligible for Grammy nominations; “Shipwrecked on Jesus” and “Tenderly Calling”. Mann also co-wrote the popular album “Songs and Legends of the Outer Banks” with Billy Edd Wheeler, Paul Craft, and the late Chet Atkins. For more information about MerleFest, call 1-800-343-7857 or visit www.merlefest.org
NEWS
The Captain’s Crew will be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee over the Thanksgiving holidays for two performances in Music City. On Saturday night November 24th, the group will join Wanda Jackson on the Midnight Jamboree and on Sunday morning November 25th, they will provide the music for the Nashville Cowboy Church with Grand Ole Opry Star, George Hamilton IV. The programs will be held in the Texas Troubadour Theater in Music Valley Village. Wanda Jackson, hailed the Queen of Rockabilly, toured with rock and roll pioneers such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly. She has been nominated for two Grammys, and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Jackson’s career has included a number of top 10 hits including "Right or Wrong" and "In The Middle of a Heartache". The Captain’s Crew will be one of several groups appearing on the Midnight Jamboree. The Jamboree is the second longest running radio show in America. The program is broadcast every Saturday night on WSM 650 following the Grand Ole Opry and on XM Satellite Radio and Music City Television. Over the years, the Midnight Jamboree has featured many of country music’s legendary stars. George Hamilton IV, who will bring the message for the Cowboy Church service, is known as the International Ambassador of Country Music. His hit records include "A Rose and A Baby Ruth", "Abilene", "Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston", "Break My Mind" and many more. In recent years Hamilton has focused more of his time on gospel music and has had several number one Christian Country singles and has sung at the Dr. Billy Graham Crusades. Hamilton has toured with The Captain’s Crew and joined the group on their most recent CD, "Tenderly Calling", a collection of Fanny Crosby Hymns. Nashville Cowboy Church is a fast moving, well-paced interdenominational service featuring favorite country music artists performing gospel songs, combined with ministry. The program is broadcast into 100 countries, reaching millions through WSM radio, SIRIUS satellite radio, XM Satellite Radio and WWCR short-wave radio and on Music City Television. The radio and TV broadcasts of these two programs will provide a great opportunity for The Captain’s Crew to reach a worldwide audience. The Captain’s Crew are not strangers to XM Satellite Radio fans, as songs from their "Tenderly Calling" CD have been heard over recent weeks on XM Channel 13 on "Willie’s Gospel Jukebox". XM Satellite Radio has over 8.2 million subscribers. The group plans to play songs from the "Tenderly Calling" CD with Hamilton as well as some of their original songs. Members of The Captain’s Crew include singers and musicians Eddie and Connie Francis, Jack Cahoon, Connie Bateman, Roy Riddick, Rocky Creef and Ken Mann along with sound engineer Rex Simpson. More information about The Captain’s Crew can be found at www.thecaptainsmusic.com.
Press release: May 26, 2007 North Carolina native and Grand Ole Opry Star George Hamilton IV has joined with The Captain’s Crew from the Outer Banks to record a new album featuring the songs of hymn writer Fanny Crosby. Lamon Records from Charlotte, NC is handling the release and marketing of the album titled “Tenderly Calling”. Known as the International Ambassador of Country and Gospel Music, Hamilton has just celebrated 50 years in the music business. His first record, “A Rose and A Baby Ruth”, took him to the top of the pop charts, while the hit record, “Abilene”, launched his country career and helped to make him the international star he is today. In most recent years, he has concentrated on gospel music and has performed at the Crusades of Dr. Billy Graham. The Captain’s Crew has been playing and singing for over 10 years. “Tenderly Calling” is the group’s 5th album. When The Captain’s Crew and Hamilton perform together the audience is treated to a unique blend of country, southern and traditional gospel music. The “Tenderly Calling” album is a true reflection of this musical blend.
Rising from the disadvantaged position of a "poor little blind girl", Mrs. Francis Jane Crosby, better known as FANNY CROSBY, became a highly competent hymn-writer of world-wide influence and timeless worth. Her legacy to the world was about 9,000 hymns and poems, over 60 of which are still in common church usage throughout the globe in the 21st Century. Hamilton and The Captain’s Crew have chosen 12 of Crosby’s all time favorites including: Draw Me Nearer, All The Way, Jesus is Calling, He Hideth My Soul, I Shall Know Him, Near The Cross, Rescue The Perishing, Praise Him , To God Be The Glory, Tell Me The Story of Jesus, Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior, and Blessed Assurance. Each of the songs is presented as a duet with Hamilton sharing the lead with Captain’s Crew members Roy Riddick, Connie Bateman, Eddie Francis and Connie Francis. Other members of The Captain’s Crew include Rocky Creef on Piano, Jack Cahoon on Bass and Ken Mann on Guitar. In addition to hearing a fresh new take on these standard gospel classics, North Carolinians will find it is interesting that all of the singers and musicians are from the Tar Heel state, including special guests Martin Parker from Edenton and David Johnson from Purlear. Parker, who plays drums, played for 15 years with Vince Gill and most recently toured with Patty Loveless. Parker has played drums on many of the top country albums including “Live In London” and “Love’s Gonna Get You” with CMA winner Ricky Skaggs and “Now That I’ve Found You” with Grammy winner Alison Krauss. All of the songs are a mix of Country and Southern Gospel music, but each has a slightly different sound thanks to the talent of Johnson, a two-time winner of the “Southern Gospel Association Studio Musician of the Year”. Johnson flavored each track on the album with a number of instruments like, steel guitar, fiddle and mandolin. His tasteful playing has helped make this collection of songs one you can put in the CD player and listen to over and over again. Johnson can be heard on many of the best Southern and Country Gospel Albums by such artists as The Issacs, the Kingsmen, The Hoppers, Arthur Smith, Charles Johnson and Squire Parsons. The first single, “I Shall Know Him”, is being released by Lamon Records to radio stations across America and around the world in June, 2007. When asked about the new album, Dave Moody, President of Lamon Records said, “The songs of Fanny Crosby are timeless and a gift from God to the church. George Hamilton IV and The Captain’s Crew bring the songs to life in a new and fresh way - Sunday morning, country style.” Hamilton and The Captain’s Crew are planning a tour of eastern North Carolina in July to promote the new CD. For more information contact “The Captain’s Crew” 252-473-3024 www.thecaptainsmusic.com
Press Release July 11, 2006 Contact: Ken Mann 252-473-3024 obxtv@earthlink.net Captain's Crew Records for TV Program Some members of the Captain's Crew were recently in the studio to record the theme song for a new TV program scheduled for broadcast on Public Television. The program “My Heart Will Always Be In Carolina” will air Sundays at 1 PM on the UNC TV network. Ken Mann, a member of the Captain's Crew, will also serve as host for the program. Mann said, “When we talked about the theme song for the show, I knew right away that I wanted the group to sing it”. The theme song was taken from the album “Songs and Legends of the Outer Banks” written by Mann, Billy Ed Wheeler, Paul Craft, and the late Chet Atkins. The UNC TV network is the fourth largest TV network in the country. Each week the program includes interesting stories about people, places, and things of the Tar Heel State. Included in the series is a special Christmas segment with the Captain's Crew, featuring songs from their Outer Banks Christmas album. The group currently has a single out to radio stations, “Don't Look Back” on Crossroads July airplay sampler. The TV program will debut in September 2006.
“Shipwrecked On Jesus” Smooth Sailing With “Captain's Crew” New Gospel Album People who work on the water and their neighbors who work the land have many things in common. Fishermen set their nets and farmers plant their crops, then both must wait and trust in their faith, that there will be a catch, that there will be a harvest. A new gospel album “Shipwrecked On Jesus”, by the Captain's Crew is a musical reflection of this steadfast faith. A faith that is a trusting, pure, and honest belief in God. A faith that is so often found woven into the very fabric of the lives of the people that make a living on the water and in the fields of America. The album is a collection of songs that will take the listener on a musical journey of life that stirs the soul. The first song, “I Brought You to Jesus”, written by Rodney Griffin of the popular southern gospel group, Greater Vision, tells the bible story of how a little boys lunch was miraculously multiplied to feed thousands and how even the faith of a child can have an impact on people around them. Griffin was the Singing News 2005 Songwriter of the Year.. The title song, “Shipwrecked On Jesus”, “Wintertime”, and “Don't Look Back” evoke images of rough seas and struggles in life that not only turn out good, but are in reality times when one's faith grows stronger. Gospel favorites like “The Church In The Wildwood and “Goodbye World Goodbye” will stir up memories of old camp meetings, while “When You Call Jesus” and “Why Am I So Low” remind us of the importance of prayer. “God Sent His Only Son” sets the stage for the salvation message. “Love Is Free” explains that the price for salvation has been paid. “When He Was On The Cross” helps us to see what that price was and “Won't You Come and Follow Me” is a true song of invitation while “Angel In The Sky” sings of victory over death and eternity in heaven. Eight of the thirteen songs on the album were written by members of the group, friends and family. The Captain's Crew includes: Connie Francis and Connie Bateman, vocals, Roy Riddick, vocals and on drums: Eddie Francis, vocals and on rhythm guitar: Rocky Creef on piano: Jack Cahoon Jr. on bass: Ken Mann on lead guitar; and Rex Simpson, live sound engineer. The band has played together for over ten years at fairs, festivals and churches, sometimes with such notable artists as The Dixie Melody Boys, The Laymen, John Anderson, Ricky Van Shelton, The Kingston Trio, Ronnie McDowell, The Chairman of the Board, George Hamilton IV, The Anchorman, Just Inspired and Undivided. This past December they sang to a potential TV audience of over 2 million when they appeared on the television special, “An Outer Banks Christmas”. The first single release to radio stations in America and overseas will be “Won't You Come and Follow Me” written by Jim Kelly of Wanchese. Distribution and marketing to the radio stations is being handled by Dave Moody and Lamon Records. Moody is a Dove Award winning songwriter, musician, and producer and is also a Grammy nominee. Moody a co-writer of “Love Is Free” the second track on the album. Lamon Records is also managing national and international sales via the Internet on web-sites such as iTunes, Amazon.com, Napster and on the record company's web site www.lamonrecords.com. The Captain's Crew is based on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. For booking information or CD sales call 252-473-3024.
|
