CALLAWAY — A small crowd gathered in a Callaway church Sunday night as “the world’s smallest gospel singer” arrived in town.
Standing at only 46 inches tall, Lowell Mason’s 77 years once made him the oldest dwarf (as he calls himself) in the world. He held the Guinness record until 2014, when an older woman in the UK stepped forward. Mason started performing in his father’s church as a child and by age 9 was traveling the country singing gospel music.
“I’ve been traveling and singing for 68 years,” he said.
Mason performed Sunday at EastSide Christian Church in Callaway, where he was welcomed like an old friend by the congregation. Several members saw him when he performed in Bay County some years ago.
“We love to hear him, and it had been awhile, so my brother contacted him,” said Patricia Bland, EastSide’s secretary and treasurer.
Bland and several congregation members arrived early at the church Sunday afternoon to set up a potluck supper for after the concert.
“We’re not a big congregation, but we have a big heart,” she said.
Mason has traveled the world, performing all over the U.S. and in Russia, China and other countries. His wife of 52 years, Judy, travels with him, and Mason sometimes performs with his son, Duke Mason, who “followed in his dad’s footsteps” and is also a gospel singer. Mason said he tries to convey a message of hope in his concerts.
“There’s a lot of discouragement, a lot of people are saying to themselves, ‘What’s life all about?’” Mason said. “I really believe that life can be good. I honestly believe that ... If a person is facing any kind of turmoil in their life, there is hope, and I believe that hope is in God.”