If you go
› What: Paul Belcher Concerts Presents The McKameys: The Final Chapter› Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.› When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9› Admission: $25 reserved seats on main floor, $20 balcony and general admission, free general admission for ages 12 and younger› For more information: 423-757-5580; for group rates: 423-253-7900
For 32 years, promoter Paul Belcher has presented Southern gospel concerts in Chattanooga, and The McKameys have appeared in at least one annually.
But Saturday night, Feb. 9, will be their last performance in Belcher's gospel sings. The McKameys will retire from full-time touring in November. Gospel fans will want to catch their swan song when Paul Belcher Concerts Presents The McKameys: The Final Chapter.
"They are by far the biggest name in Southern gospel music today," says Belcher of The McKameys.
"The reason they are so popular with fans is their humble attitude. They relate to the grandmas and grandpas who are fans and don't like fancy shows. They are very strict as a group, no cutting up and telling jokes from the stage. They come to sing."
And sing they do.
In their 60-year singing ministry, the family group has notched more than 30 No. 1 songs. They released their 52nd album, "Be Brave," in 2017. They are on the road more than 130 days of each year.
Based out of Clinton, Tennessee, The Mc- Kameys have grown from three singing sisters to the current group that still includes one of the original sisters, Peg.
Peg and husband Ruben Bean are joined by their daughters, Sheryl Farris and Connie Fortner, Connie's husband Roger Fortner and their son Eli Fortner.
In 2016, Peg McKamey Bean was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Joining The McKameys in Saturday night's concert will be Karen Peck and New River, Primitive Quartet and the Inspirations.