Gospel music fans won’t want to miss the upcoming ‘Canada’s Gospel Music Celebration’ set to run at Westerner Park July 13th-15th.
Many of Gospel’s finest groups are set to perform, including the Collingsworth Family.
Since their first engagement together as musicians for a church camp in Petersburg, Michigan in August 1986 until now, Phil and Kim Collingsworth’s ministry has expanded into a full-time livelihood that involves their entire family.
Their boundaries of influence have expanded until they have sung and played all over the United States (as well as internationally) into their 27th year of ministry, according to their web site.
Phil and Kim’s actual base of ministry began during their college days.
Phil is a 1986 graduate of God’s Bible School &College in Cincinnati.
He also completed professional trumpet studies at College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati and earned a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree with a double major in trumpet performance and music education.
Kim attended Union Bible College in Westfield, Indiana where she was instrumental in arranging most of the music that was performed by the college’s traveling music groups.
In early 2000, Phil and Kim transitioned to a new, all-concert ministry.
Their two oldest daughters are quite proficient on the violin and play at each of their concerts and their entire family sings together in an ensemble.
Their newest full-scale studio project, That Day is Coming, was released in 2015.
They previously released a ‘first’ in the Christian Music Industry, filming two full-length music videos at the famed Music Hall in Cincinnati, the home of the world-class Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
The two filmings were the first Christian concerts ever to be filmed at a major symphony venue.
Meanwhile, their ministry has been featured on the nation’s largest Gospel music syndicated radio program, ‘The Gospel Greats’ with Paul Heil as well as on Daniel Britt &Friends on XM/SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s Enlighten.
Their music is also regularly featured on Enlighten, GMT (Gospel Music Television), The DayStar Television Network and has also been featured in one hour prime-time specials on the INSP Television Network.
They have also been added as regulars on many of the Gaither Homecoming Concerts, making appearances with the Gaithers in some of their largest venues in the U.S. and Canada.
Their personal appearance schedule shows the broad appeal their family emphasis has, performing in all types of venues across the U.S., the Cayman Islands and recently in Sweden.
The rapid expansion they have seen occurs with the transition to an all-concert ministry is a direct result of the emphasis they have placed on the power of prayer, said Phil.
Meanwhile, another popular group set to perform at the Celebration here in Red Deer is Greater Vision.
According to their web site, for a quarter of a century, Greater Vision has, “Inspired audiences with their rich vocal blend and their effective ability to communicate the message of the Gospel.
“The vocals and rich harmony Greater Vision has become recognized for are the result of the blending of three unique and versatile vocalists. Gerald Wolfe, the group’s founder, sings the lead and serves as emcee. Prolific songwriter Rodney Griffin handles the baritone part for the trio while Chris Allman, also a prolific writer, sings the tenor.
The Singing News Magazine and the Southern Gospel Music Association have named Greater Vision Gospel Music’s Favourite Trio.
They have also received numerous honors for Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.
Additionally, Griffin has been named Songwriter of the Year every year since 1998, as well as being named Favourite Baritone multiple times.
Wolfe has been named Favourite Male Vocalist seven times.
Greater Vision is also heard daily by listeners of traditional Christian radio, as well as Satellite and Internet radio. They are also seen regularly on the In Touch television program hosted by Dr. Charles Stanley and on the Gaither Gospel Series.
Wolfe is also a regular co-host on the syndicated Homecoming Radio Show, heard weekly on more than 2,800 stations around the world, as well as Satellite Radio and Internet outlets.
Their most recent endeavor was as a part of the very popular Gospel Music Hymn Sing DVD and coinciding GMHS Events across the country.
They were also often teamed with Dove and Grammy Award-winning arranger Lari Goss on projects including their latest As We Speak recording.
This was Goss’s last recording with the guys, before passing away in January of 2015.
Produced by Wolfe, this recording features songs written by both Griffin and Chris Allman, along with several other well-known writers including Phil Cross, Joel Hemphill and Regina Walden.
Ultimately, more than 175 times every year, Greater Vision presents the Gospel through music in a way that has endeared them to audiences around the world.
Meanwhile, those interested in tickets for the Gospel Music Celebration can check out www.gospelmusic.ca for more information and full details about the event.
– Weber
