A post on the website discusses the inspiration behind the tour. During their previous visit to the hospital, a little girl who was a recovering cancer patient danced during their “North Carolina Breakdown” and inspired the group as much as they inspired her. Her response and others prompted the group to come back, and to extend that one visit into a tour. Check it out—and have the tissues handy!

A highlight from Ben:

My wife and I used to be big fans of Extreme Home Makeover. We’d record it on Sunday nights and watch it after church. I don’t even know how many times we’d both break down and cry hearing these folks who had come through such adversity as they told their stories. Then the Extreme crew would come in and build them a mansion far beyond what they could have ever imagined. And the best part is the big reveal. The family drives up (in a limousine, no less) and are received by this huge crowd of people who are wildly cheering and holding up “welcome home” signs. They’re excited because they have already seen the house. They know what’s in store for these precious people who have been through so much loss, so much hurt, so much tragedy.

Isn’t that picture a shadow of what’s to come when we enter into eternity? The heartache will be behind us. The tears will by long dried. Our faith is no longer needed. Because we are finally seeing heaven. Finally strolling on golden pavement. Finally beholding Jesus. And there’s an multitude who have gone before us. And they’re beside themselves to welcome us home… with deafening applause.

How could I not write that song?

And from Lee:

I LOVE what they did with this song. I hope it ministers to a lot of people. I hope it comforts people who have lost loved ones. I hope it challenges people to live lives worthy of hearing “Well done…” when they finally see Jesus face to face.

The full interview is here. Stories and Songs is available now; the Crossroads Soundtrack Series version arrives next month.

Happy Reformation Day!

In honor of the occasion, here is a video of Kim Collingsworth (pianist for the Collingsworth Family) playing Martin Luther’s best-known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”:

The video comes from her 2007 DVD, Kim Collingsworth: Personal (CD/mp3 version here).

Look for the new McKameys release in November of this year.

Photo L to R: Co-producer Roger Fortner, musicians David Johnson and Tony Creasman, Sheryl Farris, engineer Scott Barnett, Eli Fortner, Peg Bean, Connie Fortner, Ruben Bean, co-producer Jeff Collins

96.3 WGOG AWARDS FIRST EAGLE AWARD TO SONGWRITER
The first Eagle Award to be given  annually by 96.3 WGOG for the Southern gospel music Artist of the Year was presented Saturday at the station’s 50th Anniversary Gospel Music Concert held at the Walhalla Civic Auditorium.

Sandy Stephens Knight, a Walhalla native who has garnered international and national awards for her twenty-five years of songwriting and singing in the family group The Roy Knight Singers based in Six Mile, was named recipient of the Eagle.

A near-capacity audience was on hand as the award was presented by Wayne Morton, 96.3 WGOG’s operations manager and host of The Golden Corner Gospel program heard Sunday mornings. Auditorium director Ray Burroughs and former announcer and on-air program host for WSNW in Seneca – our sister station – Freeman Martin assisted in the presentation.

As the station’s 50th anniversary observance continues, 96.3 WGOG will welcome the internationally-known bluegrass group Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium August 21, 2009.

At Walhalla Civic Auditorium in the “golden corner” of up-state South Carolina pictured L-R are: Wayne Morton of 96.3 WGOG, Roy Knight, Sandy Knight, Freeman Martin, and Ray Burroughs of the Walhalla Civic Auditorium.
(Photo by Rickey Herring)

It’s called “I Want My Stage To Be An Altar” and was written by Nick Akin and beautifully performed by his father David, Nick, and his brothers Eli and Dave. The family group simply goes by The Akins.

That’s all I’ll say right now, other than please be listening! “I Want My Stage To Be An Altar” is coming to a radio station near you next month.

The powerful composition will stir your spirit every time you hear it, and it could become the clarion call that leads many to a renewed commitment for Christ.

Sincerely,

Jim Stover / Crossroads Radio

Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll share some things about this artist all of us at Crossroads have come to love. Number one, we appreciate the fact Mitch is a first-class gentleman who loves the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. That’s what frees him up to love his family, his friends, and all the people he sings for. Mitch’s deep-seeded faith flows forth like a refreshing stream, both in his speech and his actions. That strong Christian faith is what causes Mitch to to get up and go, to get out and do!

The current year is shaping up to be Mitchel Jon’s best and busiest since going solo in mid-2007. The thrust of his schedule has been what God impressed upon him to call the Something Visible tour. Pastors, music ministers and youth leaders in many places have adopted Mitch’s song as a call to action theme among their members, especially the young people. Something Visible gives hands-on practical examples of what it means to follow Christ and defines what being a Christian is all about.

Place a call to your local station and request Something Visible, you’ll see what the buzz is about! And, for the full impact of this soulful singer’s ministry focus, check out his Pourin’ Rain project!

You’ll find it right here on our website! You won’t even have to leave the house.

After all, it might be pourin’ rain!

From spring to early winter, you’ll find the popular group inside the perimeters of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. But when Christmas is over and the park is closed, they hit the road to sing in churches from the Mason-Dixon to the Mississippi. Over the years, I’ve been to several of these singing services and that’s just what they are. You always get a little laughter, a lot of ministry (via their excellent song selections) and they end the evening with an invitation to come to Christ for those who haven’t yet said yes to the Master’s call

Chart-topping radio hits like “That’s Why I Love To Call His Name,” “Forever Changed,” “I Know I’m Going There,” “What We Needed,” “Jesus Made a Believer Out Of Me” and their current single “I Want You To Know” keep the temporal wheels turning, but it’s the seed sowing that really keeps the Kingdom Heirs going and doing.

They know it’s what matters most. They know it’s a forever thing.