Good old fashion Christian fun Christian Music

Good old fashion Christian fun

November 20, 2007 – 6:35 pm

Debra Lee Patteson said she couldn’t wait to get to the civic center Saturday night for some good old-fashion Christian fun.

Patteson and her granddaughter, Kaitlyn, 8, were two of about 1,200 people gathered at the B.E. “Mac” McGinty Civic Center for the seventh annual Sheriff’s Gospel Sing.

They came to listen to gospel and bluegrass music by the Isaacs, the Kingsmen and Kevin Spencer.

“This I love,” said Patteson, a Pascagoula native. “Gospel is close to my heart. Especially the Isaacs. They sing a lot of bluegrass. I was raised on bluegrass. We didn’t have things like this when I was growing up. We just played music in the backyard — bluegrass music. And we danced — a lot.”

Patteson is a pianist with the Wade First Church of God. She said she loves to hear other artists play and attends the sheriff’s sing each year.

“This is such a great event,” Patteson said as she hugged her granddaughter. “We listen to Christian music all the time and it’s great to see it live.”

Sheriff Mike Byrd organizes the event each year as a way to ring in the holidays and proceeds benefit local Christian youth programs. This year’s proceeds will be donated to the Accendo Academy in Gautier.

“I give tonight’s show an F’ rating for family fun,” said Byrd, who was pleased with the turnout for the event. “I’m just glad to see everyone here.”

Byrd said the annual event features upbeat, gospel music all about praising the Lord.

“I love this music,” Byrd said. “The people love it and it’s a great start to the holidays.”

Jeanie and Michael Jordan of Pascagoula brought their 6-year-old twins, Tabitha and Taylor, to the gospel sing to listen to one of their family favorites, the Isaacs.

“I heard them first at my dad’s church in Mobile,” Jeanie Jordan said. “They’re great and this is a great family night. A lot of our church members are here too.”

Paul White took his wife of more than 50 years to the gospel sing. He said the event reminds him of his youth.

“I like the old-timey gospel,” White said, laughing. “The real stuff, not none of this modern stuff.”

Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or 228-934-1442.

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