Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Archie Watkins brings his award winning tenor voice to Sacred Sounds Fridays at the Ringgold Depot at Depot Street and U.S. 41, Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Pianist Ryan Stinson will also perform and Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” will emcee. Ticket donation is $5.
“The is no other voice that has uplifted the hopes and spirits of Southern gospel music fans like that of Archie Watkins,” said Mr. Franks. "His voice was featured on more chart songs than any other singer. His long running support of our Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship is a testament to his desire to influence and encourage the coming generation of singers and players.”
With nearly 50 years in the spotlight, Singing News fans chose him as Favorite Male Singer three times and Favorite Tenor four times and he also received the Marvin Norcross Award.
His wife Cindy joins him now as he travels around the Southeast sharing his ministry.
Some of his best-loved songs are "Jesus Is Coming Soon," “Two Shoes,” “I’ll Not Turn My Back on Him Now” and “Touring that City.”
Share America Scholar Stinson, of Ringgold, is a country and gospel pianist of 13 years. He began his training with five years of lessons from the pianist at his home church, First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe.
He won various awards in music festivals across the Chattanooga area.
Mr. Stinson said he plays everything by ear and continues to expand his skills.
“I specialize in the Nashville Sound ‘slip-note’ style of playing made popular by the late Floyd Cramer,” he said. “I learned to play the song ‘Last Date’ upon my family’s request. It is the first song I ever learned by ear, and I’ve been doing it that way ever since.”
He regularly entertains at nursing homes, his church, and various special events across Catoosa County.
Mr. Stinson studied religion/ministry through Luther Rice University and Seminary.
The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. The Share America Foundation, Inc., a Georgia non-profit, presents scholarships to talented musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts.
Donations for tickets are adults: $5, children five and under free with adult. Tickets may be purchased locally in advance during business hours at SonShine Christian Books 706.861-7675 in Fort Oglethorpe. For more information, visit www.shareamericafoundation.org or Share America Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 42 Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
Ryan Stinson