PANAMA CITY — Emerald Coast Jubilee brings more than 20 artists together for three days of Southern Gospel music.
“We have brought a miniaturized version of the National Quartet Convention to Panama City,” said Calvin Gann, who will be playing with the Gann Family on Saturday night. “This is music with a mission. This music not only has a message but can make an eternal difference in the lives of those who attend.”
The 17th annual Jubilee Weekend from the Emerald Coast Southern Gospel Music Association will return to Hiland Park Baptist Church Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 29-31.
“It brings people from other states who come in to be part of the event. It is kind of a concert and worship service in one. Come here for a true encounter with God,” said Adam Burnett, minister of music at Hiland Park Baptist Church.
The church completed construction of its new 1,600 seat worship center “with more stadium-type seating” in September 2013.
“It’s been great having it in the new worship center,” Burnett added. “One, we can get so many more in here but we also can get a more intimate feel. It allows for artists to really connect to everyone.”
Gospel artists from all over the Southeast, from Birmingham to Virginia and North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama will be singing praises.
“There are people who will come to an event like this that won’t go to church,” Gann said. “The gospel will not only be sung but also spoken.”
Dr. Steven Kyle, pastor of Hiland Park Baptist Church, will do “more of a devotion” each night.
Michael English performs Thursday night along with Page Trio, Sacred Harmony, Matthew Cutter and Karen Shelley.
“Michael English is top of his game in terms of popularity and sound. To me, he borders between contemporary and Southern Gospel. Gold City Quartet is a multi-award winning world class quartet,” Gann said. “We have one national each night. Regional artists perform about 25 minutes a piece. The program moves pretty rapidly, so if you don’t like something, wait a few minutes and there will be someone else.”
The Dixie Echoes, whose Southern Gospel roots go back to the ’60s, will headline Friday night, along with the music of Freedom Hill, Lighthouse, Mari Harper, Drummonds, Fresh Anointing and Jennifer Strickland.
Gold City Quartet headlines Saturday after the Beacon Awards at 5 p.m.
“Emerald Coast Association artists are nominated and voted on. We have been doing it about 15 years,” Gann said. “On Saturday every ticket includes seeing the winners given awards — our version of the Grammys.”
Fans can vote online till midnight Sunday, Jan. 25, at ECSGMA.com (click on “vote”).
The Gann Family and Undivided, another popular local group with national recognition, are both performing Saturday, as well as Shireys, Ron French and Jubilee Choir.
“My musical experience started with the Gann Brothers in 1980,” said Gann, who started the group with his brother, Phil.
Gann went on to start a family group in 2008 with his wife, Debbie, their son, Cory, daughter, Amy, and her husband, Matt Henderson. Cory was a drummer for the Gann Brothers before they went on as a family.
“We’ve made about six full length CDs since then, and we travel and sing as a family all over the Southeast,” Gann said.
The Gann Family’s most recent album, “Child of the King,” was recorded at their studio, Studio 812, in Lynn Haven. The album is dedicated to the memory of Madison Grace Riley, a “Child who is with The King.”
Gann’s grandson, Mason, now 6, sings near the end of the title track. But whether he will join the family on stage is taken on “a night by night basis,” Gann admitted.
Undivided has been “sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through music” since 1987. Their song “Walking With Jesus” was voted No. 1, and “I Trust You Lord” was voted No. 3 song of the year in 2014 in the Southern Gospel Times Top 40 chart. On Jan. 4, the group — Cindy Scott, Brenda Paris and Dan Davis — released their third National Single, “For Another Day.”
- 17TH ANNUAL EMERALD COAST JUBILEE
- What: The Emerald Coast Southern Gospel Music Association brings together more than 20 artists, including Michael English, the Dixie Echoes, Gold City Quartet, Gann Family and Undivided
- When: 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 29-31; Beacon Awards at 5 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Hiland Park Baptist Church of Panama City, 2811 N. U.S. 231
- Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door; $30 for three-day pass
- Details: Hiland Park Baptist Church office at 785-6530, or ecsgma.com