PBS Presents A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Hosted By Bill Gaither and Marty Stuart Beginning In November

Business Wire, Nov 3, 2003

Entertainment Editors

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003

Some of the finest living practitioners of southern gospel and bluegrass music unite in a joyful celebration of the very roots of American music in A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming, a special offered exclusively to viewers of PBS stations across the country beginning November 29th (check local listings). Hosts Bill Gaither and Marty Stuart chose as the setting for this remarkable gathering the century-old Chapel at Fisk University, where the Nashville music industry had its beginnings.

Bluegrass royalty such as Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Ricky Skaggs, The Del McCoury Band and Doyle Lawson swap licks with gospel matriarch Vestal Goodman, as well as acclaimed bluegrass/gospel artists The Isaacs, The Lewis Family and Jeff and Sheri Easter. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and former Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon offer unique contributions.

Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys offer an a cappella version of "Gloryland" as well as the old tune "Rank Stranger. The Del McCoury Band performs "I Believe," and "Get Down On Your Knees and Pray," a quartet of Del and Ronnie McCoury, Mike Bub and Jason Carter.

Other stand-out numbers include Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver's "Just Over In Heaven," and "I'm Going Home To Heaven," The Nashville Bluegrass Band's "The Gospel Plow," and Mountain Heart's "Gospel Train." Jerry and Tammy Sullivan perform "Working On A Building," and the Isaacs take center stage with "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothin' But Good." Vestal Goodman performs "Jesus, Hold My Hand" while the Lewis Family delights with "Honey In The Rock." Marty Raybon performs "Get Up In Jesus' Name," and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, shines on "I'm Ready To Go," and "Are You Afraid To Die?" The venerable Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform "I Find Jesus," and the entire cast joins them in a rousing version of the classic, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."

Marty Stuart and The Superlatives, romp through "This Little Light of Mine," and Rhonda Vincent even persuades Bill Gaither to sing bass with her on "You Don't Love God If You Don't Love Your Neighbor."

A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming is available to PBS stations beginning November 29. Viewers are encouraged to check their local listings for the PBS showing in their area.

Produced by Bill Gaither for Gaither Television Productions, the special is presented nationally on PBS by WKNO/Memphis.