Fresh off recording a new album and ready to get back to the concert stage this fall, locally-based music group Majesty Quartet is preparing for an annual concert at home, where they perform 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, Sept. 21, at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave. 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.
A little over a decade ago, the musical group, formerly Unto Him, started this beloved 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’s always a fun night that we look forward to each year,” said Walls, a retired Riverside Schools administrator and teacher. “We used to do separate sets, but now Doug and Roy join us together on the stage; kind of a Gaither homecoming type of feel.
“‘Faith and friends’ describes our show pretty well. We’re performing the show for so many of our local friends and we’re getting to share our faith through music. At the same time, Roy and Doug have become our good friends as well, in addition to the close friendships that we have with each other.”
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.
Former quartet 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 a longtime member of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.
About two years ago, the newest member, Zellers, 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.
“They all work together so well and it’s so neat to see the energy they have together on the stage. It’s very special,” said McBrien’s wife Michelle, who has served as Majesty Quartet’s longtime sound technician, traveling to all of their shows.
Concert-goers can expect to hear a number of fresh tunes from the group’s new CD, “What A Difference,” produced by Webb, which they recorded during June in Cincinnati.
“It’s an eclectic type of CD with a little bit of everything, from country to Southern gospel,” Walls said. “It has several old favorites and a few secular songs as well.
“It also features Ernie’s Haase’s original song, ‘What a Difference a Day Makes,’ which he had not recorded with a quartet yet. Roy thought it suited us well.
“We think this CD is our best work yet and we hope the people will enjoy it.”
“There are so many good, heartfelt songs,” McBrien agreed.
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.”
For the national suicide and crisis hotline, dial or text 988. The 24/7 crisis hotline is (800) 224-0422, or text “4HOPE” to 741 741.
In addition to the Faith and Friends concert, Majesty Quartet is planning for another local benefit concert Oct. 20 at the Bellefontaine First Presbyterian Church, hosted in conjunction with four downtown Bellefontaine churches.
For more information, visit www.majestyquartet.com or visit their Facebook page, “Majesty Quartet,” or the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation at www.ohiospf.org.