PANAMA CITY — A local musician who made it big returns next week to perform at the Male Gospel Explosion.
“He’s formed a new group and he’s coming home,” said Lenwood Cherry of Emerald Coast Entertainment, who is hosting Bishop Charlie T. Wells and other gospel groups at the 2014 Male Gospel Explosion.
Wells, now serving as pastor of Wells Temple in Rochester, N.Y., and advisory bishop to the Christian Faith Center, started his first gospel group in Panama City in 1952. He was only 19 or 20 years old, he said, but he grew up in the church and sang in church choirs.
“I loved it and I just kept going and going,” Wells said.
He got his “break” not through luck, but through his own bold actions. He called up Peacock Records himself and told them he wanted to record an album. They asked him to send some samples of his work and that was that.
“I’m a praying person, so I was praying that the group would be higher,” Wells said.
Wells is the only surviving member of his original gospel group, prompting him to call his new group Bishop Charlie T. Wells and the New Voices of Clouds. They perform throughout the United States, with shows coming up in Atlanta and Tennessee. Wells has received requests from as far away as England, he said.
Wells advised aspiring gospel singers to remember their faith and live according to Christian teachings.
“Gospel means church,” he said, “so we do what’s right.”
The concert also features the Engram Brothers of Enterprise, Ala.; the Rev. Lawrence Gantt, “the Horn Blowing Preacher,” of Panama City; and the Traveling Angels Gospel Singers of Marianna. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Peggy Brunson at 481-5651 or Lenwood Cherry at 250-7827.
Want To Go?
- What: The 2014 Male Gospel Explosion
- When: doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
- Where: Springfield Community Center, 3728 E. Third St., Panama City
- Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
- Details: Call Peggy Brunson, 481-5651, or Lenwood Cherry, 250-7827