Two award-winning acts — a family bluegrass gospel band and a guitarist — will be featured at tonight’s Sacred Sounds concert at the Ringgold Depot.
The Golden Valley Crusaders, formed in 1970 in Golden Valley, N.C., recently were named Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year by the Carolinas Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Forming the core of the band are brother and sister Butch Cook, who plays mandolin, and Martha Houser, who sings. Clint Houser, Martha’s son plays banjo. Gary Heavner, Cook’s son-in-law, plays bass, and his son, David Heavner, adds another mandolin. Two cousins, Greg Cook and Jerry Hunt, play guitar.
Ringgold, Ga., resident Wesley Crider is the 2004 International Thumbpicking Champion. He has performed on many Southern gospel albums with groups including Day Star, The Trailblazers, The New Hinsons, The Called Vocal Group and Solid Ground.
“My dad gave me my first guitar at age 6 and taught me my first chords, G, C and D,” he said.
Randall Franks will emcee the concert, a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. The Share America Foundation, a nonprofit, presents scholarships to musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts.