Dr. David Digmon, the church’s pastor, announces that the Blackwood Brothers Quartet will be leading a special concert service on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013. This service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Chapel.
The name “Blackwood Brothers” is a name that is synonymous with Gospel Music. Their music has been heard around the world on radio, recordings, television, and in personal appearances.
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 with brothers Roy, Doyle, James and Roy’s son, R.W. In the late 1950s Roy and Doyle retired from traveling and in 1954 R.W. was killed in a tragic airplane crash. However the quartet with James, as the quartets’ leader and spokesman, established a new group of singers who would go on to take gospel music to new heights as they traveled and sang in all 50 of the United States, every Canadian province as well as cities in Great Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
In 2002, James Blackwood went to be with the Lord, but his sons, Jimmy (James Jr.) and Billy continued the 78-year tradition. Recently Jimmy retired after singing for 49 years and his younger brother, Billy now carries on the quartet which has the distinction of being the best-known name in gospel music history!
Current members of the Blackwood Brothers include Billy Blackwood, Wayne Little, Butch Owens, and Michael Helwig.
Billy, James Blackwood’s younger son, sings baritone and is a song writer. Billy played drums for J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet at the age of 14. He also played for the Blackwood Brothers, Gordon Jensen and Sunrise, and Andrus/Blackwood & Company and toured with Voice, the opening act for the Elvis Presley show. He has traveled in solo ministry and has worked in youth and pastoral ministry. He produced the latest CD for the quartet. Billy has four daughters, Brette, Britni, Emma and Ellie and one son, Will. He and his wife, Cherry live in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Wayne has sung for many years in numerous quartets including the Crystal River Boys, and most recently, New Millennium. His crystal clear tenor voice is amazing people across the country. He has sung at hundreds of events including a concert at the Pentagon with Franklin Graham. Wayne is known for his singing of the great Gospel classic, O What a Savior. He and his wife Gina have two sons, Micah and Maison.
Butch Owens is no stranger to gospel music. He sang bass with an earlier version of the Stamps Quartet and most recently with Bob Jones and the Songfellows Quartet. He is a retired law enforcement officer. Butch has a great personality and his solid low notes make a great foundation for the group. Butch and his wife Margaret live in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Michael Helwig got his start in Gospel Music at the age of 19. A Canadian native, he sang for Canadian groups The Torchmen and Unashamed; he won a Dove Award for Favorite Tenor from the Canadian division of the Gospel Music Association in 1997. Since moving to the United States he has sung with the Wilburns, the Stamps, the Williamsons, the Dixie Echoes and Promise, before joining the Blackwood Brothers. Michael and his wife, Leslie have identical twin daughters, Eva and Laura and one son, Sam.
Dr. Digmon and the church family invites everyone to this special service. No admission will be charged; a love offering will be received.
Bethel Chapel Baptist Church is located at 854 U.S. Hwy. 96 North in Pineland. Contact Dr. Digmon at 409-584-2461 or 409-893-3621 for information.
