Fermanagh artists to perform at Gospel Fest Goes West

This marks the seventh year of the event, which is making a welcome return following the cancellation in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Thanks to patrons’ support over the years, their generosity has helped the valuable work of the Kamatunga School for Deaf Children in Kenya, the Container Ministry, the Surf Project within the Methodist Church, the vulnerable people of Haiti and the Home Mission Department of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

This year, the proceeds will again be going to support the rebuilding work of the Methodist Church in Haiti – one of the poorest countries in the world, where most of the population struggles to survive.

Haiti has also faced several major natural disasters in recent years, most recently an earthquake in the southwestern part of the island last August.

Organisers are delighted to welcome Live Issue back to Gospel Fest Goes West. Since they reformed back in 2006, the band has become one of the most popular Country/Gospel bands in the British Isles.

Tours

In that time, Live Issue has released four albums, produced a television series for Revelation TV in London, undertaken several very successful tours of the United States, including appearances on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and has also had the opportunity to record with many of the top American artists of Country and Gospel music.

Live Issue.

The group was also invited to perform at the International Festival of Country Music held in the SSE Arena in Belfast.

Live Issue literally made history in Nashville by becoming the first Country band from Ireland, and only the second group from the British Isles, to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

The LaGrange Daily News in Georgia commented: “The members of Live Issue have become ambassadors not only for Country Gospel Music, but also for their Christian faith and everything that is good about Northern Ireland.”

Live Issue comprises Colin Elliott, Roy Dreaning, Sam Armstrong, Carl Sands and Ivan McLernon. Prior to the pandemic, the group regularly played at many events in Northern Ireland, as well as other Gospel Music conventions and churches throughout the British Isles and Europe.

Once again, Laura Beck will perform at Gospel Fest Goes West. Laura lives in Co. Down and regularly assists with leading worship in Newmills Presbyterian Church in Portadown.

Laura Beck.

In the past few years, her singing has been in great demand at many churches and concerts throughout Ireland and the UK. She has also teamed up with Live Issue on many occasions, and has taken part in memorable solo performances with the Belfast Community Gospel Choir at the Grand Opera House and Waterfront Concert Hall in Belfast.

In January, 2016, Laura released her debut album, entitled, ‘I Can Only Imagine’. This album has been warmly received and is played regularly on many Gospel music radio shows.

Laura enjoys the opportunity to share her Christian faith through music and her distinctive vocals fuse a blend of Country and Soul which brings a fresh approach to every song she sings.

Margaret Johnston will make her first appearance at Gospel Fest Goes West. She was brought up in a Christian home near Brookeborough and is currently living in Ballinamallard. Married to Adrian, she has three children and four grandchildren.

Margaret Johnston.

Margaret loves playing the accordion and was given her first one at the age of 10. She also likes playing the piano, banjo and church organ. Music is her hobby, and she says there is nothing more she loves to do than sit by her piano and worship the Lord.

Kingdom Bound return to Gospel Fest Goes West, having made their first appearance in 2018. They regularly sing at churches and concerts throughout Northern Ireland. The band comprises Stephen Ellis, Matthew Farrell and Andrew Cornett.

Kingdom Bound love to sing old hymns and choruses in a simple, stripped-back way using guitar and vocal harmonies. They launched their debut album, ‘I saw the light’, in May of 2015 and are currently in the studio working on new recordings with another album in the pipeline.

Kingdom Bound.

The boys have a real desire to go out and minister in song in the hope that their ministry can bring others to know a real and personal relationship with Jesus.

Delighted

Organisers are also delighted to have The Morrisons perform for the first time in Omagh. The Morrisons were formed in January, 2016, and comprise David Morrison; his wife, Sharon; his brother, Ronnie; and his close friend, Robert Wilkin.

The Morrisons.

David, Ronnie and Robert sang together for several years in The Harvesters’ Gospel Group. The Harvesters retired from Gospel Music in 2015. Sharon has been singing all her life and is in demand for studio session work as a harmony backing vocalist.

The Morrisons have a love for all varieties of Gospel music, close harmony and most importantly their heart’s desire is to serve the Lord through their God-given talents.

“This an opportunity to step aside from the busy routine of our lives and celebrate the joy of being reunited together at Gospel Fest Goes West which we have missed so much,” said one of the organisers of the event.

The Strule Arts Centre will have social distancing measures in place in the auditorium. For your ticket, contact Strule Arts Centre at www.struleartscentre.co.uk, or telephone 028 8224 7831, or Reggie Mills at 0773 682 6969.