‘Sacred Steel’ Group the Campbell Brothers Headlines MCLA Gospelfest

Campbell Brothers

Campbell Brothers

(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) — The Campbell Brothers bring their signature “sacred steel” guitars to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) as they headline this year’s GospelFest on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 7pm, in the MCLA Church Street Center. In addition to the Campbell Brothers, who will perform with vocalist Katie Jackson, Harold “Zion” Edwards and MCLA’s own awarding-winning Allegrettos will perform.

The Campbell Brothers, who have performed together for nearly two decades, create a unique, steel-guitar-driven gospel music called “sacred steel” that National Public Radio (NPR) called “earth-shattering.”

“It’s a soul-stirring blend of gospel and the power and volume of electric blues and rock, a sound as hot as brimstone that kicks holy butt. It also shreds perceptions of country’s signature instrument, and the limitations of church music,” according to NPR.

According to Jim DeKoster of Living Blues, the Campbell Brothers’ music is “different from anything you’ve ever heard” and “essential listening for anyone interested in blues guitar.”

Harold 'Zion' Edwards

Harold ‘Zion’ Edwards

Opening for the Campbell Brothers will be Harold “Zion” Edwards, a minister and gospel rap artist. Edwards, the founder of Christ Centered Music Ministries, travels nationally, teaching and ministering, and was twice named the Holy Hip Hop Artist – in 2004 and ’07 – by WSOK Gospel Music Awards.

The Allegrettos, who were the first-place winners of the recent Lenox Caroling Festival, also will perform at GospelFest. According to Allegrettos co-director Juwonni Cottle ’13, the Allegrettos aim to capture the heart and soul of what gospel music is all about, which is to inspire.

GospelFest is a presentation of the MCLA Presents! performance series.

“It’s great to have GospelFest back after a few years’ hiatus,” said Jonathan Secor, director of special programs at MCLA. “We have had some great artists over the past three years for this annual fundraiser concert for the Margaret A. Hart ’35 Scholarship, but there is a certain high-octane energy that only comes with a GospelFest.”

Each year, MCLA Presents! raises money for the scholarship that has been established to honor the college’s first African American graduate, Margaret A. Hart, who is a member of the North Adams State Teachers College Class of 1935. A teacher and civil rights activist, Hart had a distinguished career in education that spanned more than five decades. The scholarship is awarded to a Berkshire County Student who demonstrates academic excellence and service to the community.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for MCLA faculty and staff and non-MCLA students with valid ID, and free for MCLA and Williams students and members. All proceeds from this concert will benefit the Margaret A. Hart ’35 Scholarship.

For reservations to GospelFest, call the box office at 413.662.5204.

For additional information and a complete listing of the MCLA Presents! season, visit MCLA Presents! or call 413.664.8718.

 

 

 

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