Inside the 536-seat Colonnade theater, a benefit featuring four local gospel groups will resound across the auditorium.
"A Time to Give Back" benefit concert for Judge Gene Lowery, of Ringgold, will raise funds to help in his fight against cancer Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
The Hullender Family, Ken Hicks and Testimony, Voices Won and the judge's own quartet Gene Lowery and the Pipeline will all take the stage.
An offering will be collected throughout the audience and Modern Woodmen will match up to $2,500 raised at the event.
"Judge Lowery is one of the most well-known people in our community," said event organizer Jeff Hullender, a member of the Hullender Family group. "Every time he runs in an election, he wins."
Before Lowery became the probate judge, he worked for the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office in the DARE program teaching children to "say no to drugs." He still serves as the probate judge. The Ringgold High School graduate is also a deacon at Peavine Baptist Church..
"He's given so much of his time and efforts for 30 years to the community," said Hullender, of Lowery, who's battling melanoma cancer. "We want to ease the financial burden so he can concentrate on getting better. The doctors gave him a great diagnosis. He's built up his strength."
Hullender said Lowery, who has battled cancer for six months, has finished with his surgeries, but will soon begin chemotherapy treatments.
When Hullender told Lowery that he would set up a concert for him, Lowery requested that all of his gospel group friends be invited to sing.
About the gospel groups performing
Ken Hicks, of US101, will sing with his group Testimony. Hicks airs on Sunday mornings during US101's "Gospel Road." Testimony performs gospel songs that are a cross between traditional gospel music and country style, according to Hullender.
Voices Won is made up of three brothers from Dalton who travel throughout the Southeast and sound similar to the Gatlin Brothers, he said. One of the group's well-known songs is "The Basics of Life," but the group plans to sing more songs too.
Gene Lowery and Pipeline is made up of members of Peavine Baptist Church. The group sings with an old-school traditional sound, Lowery said. The group will sing "Satisfied," among other songs. Someone will fill in Lowery's singing spot at the benefit, but he plans to be a spectator.
The Hullender Family trio, of Ringgold, composed of Jeff Hullender and his daughter and son, will perform a song "He took my Case" by Kyla Roland, among others.
"All these groups are donating their time," said Hullender. "Every penny raised will go to Gene."
The Colonnade will serve snacks and coffee.
"I want it to be a nice evening of worship to raise money for a friend," Hullender said. "We try to help everyone we can. We try to give back."