Willie Mason and Friends to mark 9 years
On Sunday, June 3, at 5 p.m., Willie Mason and Friends will celebrate their ninth anniversary with a gospel concert at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 4129 Northampton Drive in Winston-Salem. The Rev. Dr. Nathan E. Scovens is the host pastor.
Willie Mason, founder and director of Friends, says this year’s celebration will feature some of Winston-Salem’s gospel artists to share with Friends. Special guests will include, Sharon Allen, Leo Jason Barnwell, Elder Bethany Heath, Elder Cynthia Nash, Bishop Grosjean Stephens, Bishop John C. Williams and Bishop Stephen Williams.
Mason says, “I am really excited as we begin Chapter Nine of making a difference in music ministry. The Lord has been faithful to us since the inception of this aggregation and we will honor Him with our worship and praise.”
“Raising the sounds of joy,” is vital to the worship experience when Willie Mason and Friends are sharing in music ministry. Their purpose is to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ through song, encourage believers in their walk with Christ, lead the congregation in worship and provide an avenue through which individuals may share their gift and be an integral part of the worship.
The community-based group represents some of the Triad’s most talented vocalists and musicians who are enthusiastic and dedicated ministers of music.
The group has been blessed to share in concerts across the state of North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Connecticut. The group has shared the concert stage with several top gospel artists, including, Byron Cage, Beverly Crawford, John P. Kee, Dorothy Norwood, Lisa Page Brooks, Luther Barnes, Hezekiah Walker, Lyle Lovett and his Big Band; and has performed for the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County annual Campaign Kickoff, CareNet Counseling Inc., Moravian Festival, Old Salem Heritage Festival, Old Salem Our State Conference, Winston-Salem Chronicle’s Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast and GospelFest at the Dixie Classic Fair, and Forsyth Technical Community College commencement events.
