Several local and professional musical talents are set to perform at the Gospel Singing Concert during the 50th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and the 22nd Annual Chickasaw Festival Saturday, Oct. 2 in Tishomingo, Okla.
The free concert is 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the capitol grounds' west lot and is open to public.
This year's featured group is Forgiven Quartet from Bartlesville. For nearly 30 years, the group has been performing southern gospel music in 16-state area including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The group has released 10 full-length gospel recordings in the last eight years and recently signed a recording agreement with the Song Garden Music Group of Nashville, Tenn.
Members are Mark Brooke (tenor) from Bartlesville, Mark Green (lead) from Owasso, Buddy Pitezel (baritone) from Tulsa and Stanley Johnson (bass) from Enid.
Mike Powell, of John 3:30 Ministries, will serve as the master of ceremonies. He will also entertain the crowd with his singing, guitar playing and Christian comedy.
Mr. Powell has more than 19 years of vocal, guitar and comedy experience and is the chairman of the Four States Gospel Music Association board. He was awarded Flat Top Guitar Picker of the Year award in 1990 by the Arkansas Bluegrass Association and was voted Four States Gospel Music Association Favorite Soloist in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Johnston County's Common Fisherman will follow with their love of singing. The group performed at various local churches, ranch events as well as Camp Bond in Tishomingo this summer.
Returning again this year are The Gastineaus, a family band from Ada. Rooted in southern gospel, the group encompasses bluegrass, red dirt county and blues in their music.
The band was established in 2001 and comprises of James and Gaye Gastineau and their daughters Kami Jae and Maci as well as Trevor Sutton.
In addition to the concert, several other activities and events are scheduled throughout the Chickasaw Nation Sept. 25 to Oct. 2 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Chickasaw Annual Meeting.
For a complete listing of events, locations and schedules, visit www.chickasaw.net or contact the Chickasaw Festival office at (580) 371-2040 or 1 (800) 593-3356.
