JOHN PRHL I0RLTERS
i *
KICKS OFF FHLL iOOR
JIM PRITCHARD
It was like no other concert I’d
ever seen! As a matter of fact, it
wasn't even like a concert. It was more
like an evening with a few friends,
sitting around playng guitar and singing
favorite songs. I'm speaking of the
John Paul Walters concert held one
Saturday night in September in Gaither
"Coliseum."
Granted, he was no Billy Sprague,
but he was an enjoyable performer and
talented musician. He approached the
concert with a calm, comfortable, and
laid-back attitude which created an
atmosphere which lasted throughout
the evening. John's style (not John
Stiles) revealed a "play what the people
want" format, including "If An Angel
Came to See You," "Carolina On My
Mind," and "The Cat Came Back." The
audience participated in a
heart-warming rendition of "Old
McDonald" and the Beverly Hillbillies
theme song, which this reporter was
paid $5.00 to sing while John played the
banjo lead (backup vocals by Tod
Holtet). Does this make me a
professional singer now?
Most people who have heard of
John Paul Walters probably saw him at
one of the many youth conferences he
has played around this area. John
enjoys the familiarity of performing at
Gaither, describing the eMperience as
"Just like coming home." His love for
Montreat and for Mrs. A is the main
reason John returns to play here.
I hope to continue seeing
performances like John's in Gaither, and
we can thank Lou Johnson and Josh
Pearman for their efforts this year in
providing entertainment.
THE BOVS ENJOV
R n-RC UEEKEND
HEATHER EDWARDS
When the doors opened at 7:00 pm
Friday night, the chapel quickly filled
with students, church groups and people
from the neighboring communities to
hear the long-awaited concert of the
Mid-South Boys. The crowd was
enthusiastic as they worshipped the
Lord.
Songs from their ne'wly released
album "One of A Kind" were featured.
The song "Satisfied" was definitely one
of a kind, it was simple and straight to
the point. "I'm satisfied with my Jesus,
I'm satisfied with my Lord, I'm
satisfied with my Jesus. Every day 1
live. I'm satisfied."
Introduced at Friday's concert, for
the first time to the Montreat
community, were the two newest
members of the Mid South Boys. Filling
in for Robby McGee, Steve Secrese from
Little Rock Arkansas on keyboards and
Kent Humphrey from Pennsylvania on
acoustic guitar and vocals. Kent was
formerly with the Dixie Creek Melody
Boys. During the concert, the Boys sang
a song called "Plese Let Me sing In the
Choir by the Dixie Creek Melody Boys.
The song brought tears then cheers
from the audience.
Robby McGee, manager, keyboardist
and vocalist, was injured in a scuba
diving accident 6 weeks ago. He
started walking with a walker last
week and is expected to be walking
with the aid of crutches in about two
weeks. Still unable to travel with the
group, Robby will hopefully return to
the group near Thanksgiving.
When asked how the replacements
have affected the group, electric
guitari5i.Joe Cook^said "It has,.b,rought
the Mid-South Boys closer together and
brought us closer to God. It has also
given us the realization that God can
bring us through anything."
After Friday night's concert, a
surprise birthday party 'was held in
MA-Hall lobby for singer and bass
player Bobby Bowen. The lobby 'was
decorated with banners and streamers.
Outside, a huge poster hung from.^econd
floor proclaiming "Happy Birthday
Bobby." Coke and punch were served and
games were played afterwards.
Saturday afternoon at the Harvest
Festival the Boys had a booth at which
they sold cassettes, CDs, and their
newest item...sweatshirts.
Opening for the Boys at Saturday
night's concert wa.s Pam Grimsley from
Florence, South Carolina. One of the
most touching songs that she sang was
called, "Love That Paid A Higher Price."
(jreg Howard started the Mid South
Boys' Saturday night concert with an
automatic standing ovation. The Boys
then jumped right in. They sang hit
songs such as “City Lights," Thats My
Child," and "I Wanna Hear That Trumpet
Sound."
During a break, Joe Cook emphasized
to the audience that the Mid-South Boys
portray our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
He also mentioned Sean Sellas, the
teenager on death row in Minnesota who
was interviewed on the Geraldo Rivera
special, "Devil Worship: Satan's
Underground Exposed." Sean had been
involved in Satanism when he killed
both his parents and a convenience
store clerk. During his interview with
Geraldo, Sean emphasized that "the only
way out of the clutches of Satan was
through the love of Jesus Christ."
Midway through the concert, Pam
Grimsley and her 11 year old daughter
Keri sang a duet. Pam proudly
exclaimed "That's my child!" when they
DQNNV LEliPIS:
IN SMRLL
HEATHER EDWARDS
A quiet little guy on the streets,
Donnie Lewis explodes on stage. He is
the drummer for the gospel group. The
Mid-South Boys, from Sheridan,
Arkanas. Donnie, originally from
Dayton, Ohio, started in his profession
by banging on pots and pans as a child.
He has never had drum lessons but he
taught himself to play.
When asked how he got involved
with the Mid-South Boys, Donnie, an
avid tennis player, replied that he used
to play tennis with Robby McGee. "I
learned they needed a drummer through
Robbie and tried out," he smiled, "so
here I am." Donnie has been with The
Boys for about five years and is now
co-owner of the group.
-Saved in Ohio at the age of twelve,
Donnie's life was Influenced by gospel
miusic. He said, "I hope that by
listening to the Mid-South Boys' music
and testimonies, others will come to
know Christ and be saved." Music is an
important part of Donnie's life and his
enthusiasm can be seen as he plays to
glorify the Lord.
Near the end of Saturday night's
concert, Donnie told the audience of a
follow tennis player who was not a
Christian. This guy had a hardened
finished. Good things do come in small
packages as we found out when this
little gal told us to "Wise Up" as she
sang the popular Amy Grant tune.
As the second half of the concert
began the Boys really began to "cook".
Singing the title track song from their
new album "One Of A Kind", they
followed with the song "Child Come
Home".
Kent Humphrey, told the audience that
young people today need a role model,
and we should be that role model by
living our lives in Jesus Christ. "Soon
we will be going home and I want-to
take other people with me", he said. He
emphasiAed thai no matter 'vviiot crazy
things we may end up doing, God always
has our best interests at heart."
EOBB TNINES GRME
PHCKREES
heart and was a most unlikely
character to be saved. Donnie left one
of the group's tapes in this guy's car
one afternoon; The guy called wanting
to play tennis, but they never made it
to the tennis courts. The guy had
listened to the cassette and God had
touched his heart and that day he
became saved.
I asked Donnie if there was
anything God had done in his life that
might help others. He answered with
the brief details of an accident he had.
Almost three years ago, Donnie was in a
serious car accident. He faced possible
amputation of one leg. Donnie refused
to accept this diagnosis and put the
situation fully in God's hands. The
Great Physician does heal all. Exactly
five weeks after the accident, Donnie
began playing drums again with a cast
on one leg.
When not traveling or in the studio
with the group, Donnie plays ping-pong,
tennis, and collects sports memorabilia
such as old gloves and uniforms. He
also substitute teaches. He is
twenty-seven years old and not
married... yet!
An open fellowship and alter call
at the front of the chapel ended the
concert. Hugs, tears, and prayers were
shared as believers came together to
encourage and appreciate one another.
Some were saved and many others
rededicated their lives to the Lord.
After the concert, the Boys
started packing up, still taking time to
talk to those who needed someone.
Loading up their one of a kind pink bus
marked The Boys" they headed home to
Sheridan, Arkansas. Even though the
Boys are gone for now,'the message
they brought still stands in our hearts
and lives. "Were satisfied with our
Jesus and satisfied with our Lord.
Were satisfied with our Jesus, every
day we live were satisfied".