Majesty Quartet features, from the left, seated: Jerry Zellers and Tim Walls; and standing: Ward McBrien and Rob Kilgore. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Now a quartet once again with the addition of a new member, the locally-based musical group Majesty Quartet is preparing for a favorite annual concert at home, where they join together with two of their longtime friends on the stage, who also happen to be top names in the gospel music industry.
“A Night of Faith and Friends” is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Goshen Friends Church, 5527 County Road 153, Zanesfield, where quartet members Tim Walls, Ward McBrien, Rob Kilgore and Jerry Zellers will be joined by Dove Award winner Doug Anderson and Southern gospel pianist Roy Webb. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $15 general admission and can be purchased at the door. No presale tickets will be offered.
About a decade ago, the musical group, formerly Unto Him, started this beloved musical tradition, in addition to their regular touring schedule all round Ohio and to several other states. They enjoy hosting this larger style homecoming concert once a year, performing on stage with Webb and Anderson at area churches and other sites in Logan County, including at the Holland Theatre.
“It was always a fun night that we would look forward to it every year,” said Walls, a retired Riverside Schools administrator and teacher. “Roy and Doug love coming up to Logan County; they are so gracious to fit us into their busy schedules. Doug still performs with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, and often has shows to get to the very next day.
“The churches here locally have been so supportive of us and great to work with.”
Walls noted that he and Logansville resident McBrien have been singing together for the past 20 years, also performing in the Lighthouse Gospel Quartet. In addition, DeGraff residents Walls and Kilgore have been singing in musical groups together for the past 17 years.
About one year ago, Zellers had learned about Majesty’s need for a fourth member to complete the quartet, and the Bellefontaine resident approached Walls one day at a local golf club. A native of Findlay, Zellers had recently relocated back to the area after serving in the military for about 20 years, previously living in San Antonio.
“He had read about our upcoming concert last summer, and approached me, asking, ‘What parts do you need?’ He has a lot of singing experience and he has fit in great with our group and as our friend. We’ve been very blessed.”
McBrien sings bass for Majesty, while Kilgore and Zellers switch off on tenor and baritone. Walls and Kilgore also switch off on lead vocals and baritone in their various songs.
Former member Jerry Noble last performed with the group at their 2019 concert with Webb and Anderson, and he is greatly missed after he passed away following a battle with leukemia, members said.
Noble was instrumental in helping to form the partnership and friendship with the top gospel music performers. In 2013, Webb, who lives in the Cincinnati area, first met the local quartet after he accepted a chance invitation from Noble to the Bellefontaine area.
Since then, Webb connected Majesty Quartet with his friend Anderson, who hails from Lapel, Ind., and is also a former member of Cana’s Voice.
Throughout the concert, Webb and Anderson will join the quartet for a number of their sets on stage.
“Roy is a comedian in addition to being a pianist. The audience will definitely be entertained, as you never know what he’s going to say,” Walls said of the group’s former producer.
Audience members can expect to hear a number of their old-time favorites, presented in an uptempo, modern twist, along with songs from Majesty’s 2022 album, “Going There,” recorded at Daywind Studios in Tennessee, including a song with the same title.
In addition, the quartet has recently released four to five new songs that likely will make it into the performance as well.
“We like to freshen it up, so that it’s not the same show year after year,” Walls said, noting that the group will also be recording a new album soon and “Going There” will be offered for sale at the concert.
Kilgore, who serves as a pastor of Monroe Community Church in Pickrelltown, said he believes that God can stir people’s spirits through the gift of music and lyrics. Among the sponsorships for “A Night of Faith and Friends,” the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is a main event sponsor, and will offer resources at a booth at the concert.
“Anyone can suffer from suicidal thoughts; it can affect people from all walks of life. Satan is trying to attack and anyone can be affected by self-doubt,” Kilgore said prior to last year’s show. “We want to reach out with resources to help anyone who might be struggling. We need to remove the stigma.”
The national suicide and crisis lifeline is also available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
For more information, visit www.majestyquartet.com or visit their Facebook page, “Majesty Quartet,” or the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation at www.ohiospf.org.
