jacobs brothers gospel music spectacular’s final curtain ... psgma fall 2019 newsletter.pdf ·...

Fall 2019

Jacobs Brothers

Gospel Music Spectacular’s

Final Curtain Call

Keystone QuarterlyPage 2 Keystone Quarterly

A Word from the President

Hello, Friends!We are pleased to return to a new year of Southern Gospel music and the 2019 Spring

Issue of the Keystone Quarterly. I trust that you have had an enriching and safe winter. Depending on where you live, the weather sure has been extreme, with one snow storm after another. I’m sure we’ll see more of that, but at least we are hopefully at the tail end of this cold season, with nicer weather on the way…

It's always good to check the websites and Facebook pages of your favorite southern gospel groups and concerts. It’s that time of year again!

This Spring issue is dedicated to our new 2018 Keystone Award Winners and the Hall of Fame Inductees. Many of you were able to attend the 2018 PSGMA Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and the PSGMA sure appreciates your continued support of this annual event. Congratulations to Brothers In Grace Quartet, the 2018 PSGMA Keystone Award winners! Also, we welcomed John Abraham, Rev. Bill Dykes and David Benner, our new 2018 PSGMA Hall of Fame Inductees. The banquet attendees also enjoyed a superb concert by none other than The Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Be sure to check out the enclosed AD for the upcoming 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Banquet for the location and ticket information!

We want to thank you for your continued support of the PSGMA. If you are interested in becoming an annual or lifetime member, see details on the back cover.

We hope to see you soon!Sincerely,

John Lythgoe

PSGMABoard Members

& Officers

EXECUTIVE BOARDPresident

John Lythgoe

Vice PresidentRandy Simpson

SecretaryDuane Nicholson

TreasurerKen Rhodes

Ed CordellBob Jacobs

John McPhersonDave Theis

Lynn Petersen

Committee MembersHistorian

Lynn Petersen

Web PageDave Theis

EditorDave Theis

Contact Information & ad PricingPlease send payment to:PSGMAc/o Dave Theis434 Bethany DriveMechanicsburg, PA 17055-4313

AD Prices: $ 25.00/ 1/4 Page$ 50.00/ 1/2 Page$100.00/ Whole Page

Magazine AD Checks made payable to: PSGMASend all other correspondence associated with the magazine via E-Mail, to Dave Theis: [email protected]

Become A Member of the PSGMA... details on back cover!

PSGMA website: http://www.psgma.com

Hello, Everyone! WHAT A SUMMER! The past few months have been a flurry of activity! I hope many of you have gotten to attend at least one of the many southern gospel music events that have taken place near you. Well, here we are in our Fall issue of The Keystone Quarterly. Time seems to be going by so quickly. It sure does make me think about what I may be overlooking in life and reminds me that I should be making the best of every moment. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who aremembers of the PSGMA; we appreciate your continued support. If you are reading this and you are not a member, take a look at the back cover and sign up today! Hoping to see you all at our annual PSGMA Hall of FameBanquet on October 26th! Please check out the ad in this issue.

Sincerely,

John Lythgoe

John Lythgoe, PSGMA President


Joe Tomlinson

Joe has been writing, recording, traveling and singing

from New York to Florida for more than 15 years and

has written and recorded more than 50 gospel songs.

Joe received the PSGMA Keystone Award in 2006 and

is a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Southern

Gospel Music Association.

Contact information, Product sales

Booking and event scheduling:

Joe Tomlinson Ministries

310 W. Maple Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047

Phone: (215) 630-7892

e-mail:[email protected]

Joe Tomlinson











Phone: (215) 630-7892


Joe Tomlinson











Phone: (215) 630-7892


Keystone Quarterly

Brothers In Grace From Left: Dave Theis, Mike Mann Ted Wissler, Dave Miller Brothers in Grace has ministered throughout the North/Mid-Atlantic region and Midwest, delighting audiences with their unique Southern Gospel Style.

Contact Information: (717) 291-1535 or

Toll Free (800) 717-8924 1057 Louise Ave. - Lancaster, PA 17601

Email: [email protected] Visit Us At: www.brothersingrace.com

Putting Forth The Word of God in Music






On The Narrow Roadwith Uncle Brian Rosenbaum

e r ye one nother's ur ens n thus fulfill the of CHRIST", is found in Galatians 6:2. In bearing OTHER’s burdens, we can get through OUR burdens more easily! What a WONDERFUL SAVIOR we have! HE put all of this in HIS PERFECT PLAN!

My aim with THIS issue is to encourage you to join me in striving to be THAT Child of GOD! I need your help as much as you need mine!

Therein is a part of the purpose of the PSGMA. Just like what CHURCH should be. So, if you are reading this and you don't go to church, contact me at (717) 706-1343. I woul e gl to help you fin one. f you sing fin nother singer to encourage. Participate in the PSGMA activities, or cont ct the to fin out wh t you c n o to help.

May the LORD bless you and keep you as you press on towards the mark of GOD'S HIGH CALLING!

Become a PSGMA Member TODAY! See back cover for more information!

I’d like to share just a few thoughts about the LIFELINE to our Father... Prayer! I’m embarrassed to talk about the number of times thatI had a concert, preached a message or did anything for theLORD JESUS and I Didn’t Remember To Pray! I’d just get so wrapped up with what I was

doing, that I Forgot to Pray! I’ve been so stupid! Please don’t fall into the same trap as I did. A friend encouraged me to “never open that book (the Holy Bible) without talking with the Author first!” My friend was very wise. This is like making sure the lamp is plugged in, but never turning it on… God tells us, “at the time of my favour, I heard you... NOW is the time












Dave Larry Ken Randy

HERITAGE QUARTETPhone: (724) 422-3996 or (724) 541-2865

E-mail: [email protected]

Refreshing, classic gospel music

We enjoy sharing a full concert of music, which usually lasts

about an hour or more (can vary to meet your needs). We often

sing for Sunday morning services, in addition to evening concerts.

Our church concerts are especially worshipful and spiritually

challenging. We look forward to sharing with you and yours.

of My favour”. HE is ACHING to HEAR from You... NOW! That means ANYTIME! Praise the LORD! It’s not that He needs to be with us. It’s that WE need to be with HIM. Jake Hess used to sing it best... “Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door”. I hope that you will be sure to pray regularly. This was my prayer that I’d like you to see. “Please LORD JESUS, don’t ever let anything come out of my mouth that hasn’t first gone through my heart”… The message that we carry is the most powerful and precious thing that we could ever share! I hope that you will continue to share this most wonder-filled message in a way that will make our Father SMILE! Don’t be like I was. Don’t forget to PRAY! May GOD bless you richly as you keep pressing on towards the mark of GOD’S high calling!












Keystone Quarterly

Musicby Duane Nicholson

Seven basic notes of the musical scale are augmented y sh rps n ts

and the addition of lyrics makes up an almost inexhaustible,

powerful force in our lives!

Music has been used to send men into battle. Music is used to enhance romance. Music is used for comforting the bereaved and give hope to those who have feelings of despair and exclaim the joys that life can bring. These experiences can be summed up by three words, Comfort, Strength and Happiness.

Music can also stir up hatred, rebellion and even demonic spirits.

If you tune into the music channels on your tele ision you will fin n almost unending selection and types of music. It is astounding! Sandwiched in between all these forms of music is GOSPEL MUSIC. Even in Gospel Music, different styles have emerged since my early days of life. The most popular religious music that I remember was SACRED MUSIC. Example artists were: The Haven Of Rest Quartet, George Beverly Shea, and the Back To

The Bible Quartet. All of these were only heard on radio! I was actually intro uce to wh t is now cl ssifie as Southern Gospel Music, when The Original Blackwood Brothers were living in Shenandoah, Iowa, not far from where I was living as a youngster. You can be sure that I heard them quite a bit…

Now the category of ‘SACRED’ basically no longer exists, but Bluegrass, Country, Southern Gospel, Contemporary, Black Gospel and, yes, Rap still exist! Having all these categories that are styles, has cut the Gospel Music world into a smaller piece of the Gospel Pie. I would venture that the largest piece now belongs to Contemporary. Sadly, this has caused dissension in religious circles. It was caused more by artists themselves, who had cruel remarks about each other's styles and that was so very unfortunate. It seems to have softened over the years, thank goodness. We all have the same message that supersedes and trumps any other message, no matter the style.

So, I urge all artists to support each other and bring the Kingdom of Gospel Music together for the sole purpose of Comfort, Strength and Happiness and leading people to the saving knowledge of knowing Jesus.

Historian’s CornerBy LJ Petersen, PSGMA HistorianJacobs Brothers Interview

Having lived in PA for only 20 years, and more recently over the past 5 years passing through Cumberland, Dauphin, Adams, Franklin, York, and Perry Counties for our

various gospel concerts, I have always wondered about the Kings Kids Camp, managed by the Jacobs Brothers, near PA 74 and PA 15 in Dillsburg, PA. With the Jacobs Brothers Gospel Music Spectaculars (JBGMS) coming to a conclusion this past July, the editor of the Keystone Quarterly, Dave Theis, and I purposed to interview the Jacobs Brothers with the objective of learning more about them, learn some about the history of their famous concerts and the spiritual impact the concert series have had on those attending the concerts, and the Kings Kids Camp. We are grateful for the time that Bob and Mike Jacobs and Mike Lawver took with us in early September 2019 and share with us their experiences.

Keystone Quarterly (KQ): When did the Jacobs Brothers’ Gospel Music Spectacular (JBGMS) start?Jacobs Brothers (JB): In 1973, motivated by the all-night Gospel sings in the south, we wanted to do something similar. Our first all-night Gospel sing, and for the next four years, we held the event at Valley View Park, in Hellam, PA, in a country park with a small stage setup. The concerts ran from 6 PM to 6 AM. Motivated by Don Baldwin and Hymntone Records, it started out with Don Baldwin, The Eastmen, The Couriers and us. The last year at that site was in 1976, and Don and the Eastmen dropped out, which left just The Couriers and us. Then, we were looking for a place to have our headquarters, so in 1977, we “bought the farm”, an 87-acre farm, consisting of a farm house, a barn, and a wagon shed. We first had the concerts under a large tent, rented from York Tent and Awning. Dr. Jerry Falwell came in 1978 and dedicated the camp. The format of the Gospel sing was based on an evangelistic “Camp

Meeting” approach, starting on Monday with Nathan Meyer, Clyde M. Narramore and Doug Oldham and others, who were the speakers/singers, preaching and teaching all week, followed by southern gospel groups on the weekend. We had preaching, singing and sawdust! 3 years later, in 1980, we dedicated the chapel.

KQ: What was the motivation behind starting the JBGMS?JB: We wanted to have something in the north, like what they had in the south, an all-night Gospel sing.

KQ: How did the King’s Kids Camp (KKC) get started and what connection, if any, is there between the KKC, and JBGMS?JB: The KKC was established for underprivileged children. The money raised by the gospel sings went to support children being at camp for one week. The cost to support one child was $200 per week. During the summer, we had camp for 4-5 weeks. The camps started in 1978 and ran for 32 years to 2010. When we first started the camp, we were wondering where we would get underprivileged children from. One member on our board said that he knew of a place on the other side of Pittsburgh. So, we sent our van out there and brought back 12 children. They were supposed to be aged 8-12, but there was a ‘leader’ with the group, who was not 12 years old at 6’2”. He was the leader of the group. He commented to us that he did not know that this was a religious camp and if he had known that, they would not come. He was insistent on not staying at the camp. I [Bob Jacobs] told him he had two choices: stay here at the camp, or I would call the Sheriff and have him come get him. One of our board members, Bill Miller, asked me if he could talk with him. He took him for a walk and spoke with him. When they came back from the walk, the Sheriff had arrived and the leader decided to stay. In fact, Bill shared the Gospel with this young man, and he turned his life over to the Lord; and the next day, ordered the others to turn their hearts over to the Lord and be saved! We had an above ground pool, and

Keystone Quarterly

Historian’s CornerBy LJ Petersen, PSGMA Historian

An Introduction

Last year in 2018, I became a life member of the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music Association (PSGMA) and also after prayerful consideration, decided to contribute to fostering the Gospel through music in Pennsylvania by becoming a board member of the PSGMA team. There was a need to encourage membership within the

ut lso nee w s i entifie to fill a gap of several years in the function of the PSGMA team Historian. I was elected by the PSGMA Board to be both the Membership Chairman as well as Historian. Not being a native of PA, as the Navy had moved my family around to the different Naval Stations in the continental United States through the course of my 30 year Navy career, we settled in PA and built a home in south eastern

hester ounty in . y first e posure to Southern Gospel (SG) music in PA came in the summer of that year through watching a local television (TV) channel (via “rabbit ears”) out of Red Lion, PA that would feature the Jacobs Brothers on Saturday nights. I really enjoyed that program. Now, I have the honor of working with Mr. Bob Jacobs on the

PSGMA Board. Who would have thought?!

Sunday mornings getting my family and me ready for church, we would have on Paul Heil’s “The Gospel Greats” on the local radio channel out of Buck, PA. Over the course of the next 13 years, many different SG groups from within and outside of PA would minister in concerts at the church where we attended, including the Hagans Family from Kinzers, PA, further giving me exposure to SG music. In 2012, my wife, as well as our pianist at church, and his daughter, decided to form a SG Group. He and his daughter presented the old Stamps Baxter Music Company staple “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” on a cold Sunday morning in January, 2012. I went up to them after church was over, and said “You know, that song you did was very good, but you really need a bass to do it right!” Shortly after that, the group “All Four Him” was formed. For the next 2 ½ years, All Four Him presented the Gospel in music at mostly local nursing homes and senior living centers, as well as some churches in PA, and even a few in Maryland. It was truly a blessing to encourage those who came to our concerts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in music and song.

However, All Four Him came to an end at the end of 2014, and a new chapter in SG music for my wife and me started when we joined the Chapter VII Gospel Quartet, and we h e een there since going into our fifth year with them. Now, enough about me, for it

continued on page 6

so I baptized all 12 children in our swimming pool. Our brother Dick Jacobs was the first Camp Director. There was definitely a direct connection between the KKC and the Gospel Sings.

KQ: Jacobs Brothers have been singing for six decades. This has obviously been a strain on your families. What advice can you give to a young or just starting out singer about going out on the road with a group and balancing family life?JB: Two things that really helped with the success of the camp was 1) having understanding and supporting wives, and 2) volunteers. Our wives were very supportive of us, and really carried the load at the camp, especially when we were out on the road; that really helped us a lot on the home front. My [Mike Lawver] parents would come during the summer with other families and took over a section of the campground called, “The Crazy Corner”. They would take care of the trash, do maintenance, and take care of whatever needed to be done. Unfortunately, [Mike Jacobs], the one thing that really supported the success of the camp in the early years, was the thing that lead to the camps coming to a close, and that is lack of volunteers. Those that volunteered, a small group, had grown older, and along with the summer heat, made it difficult to volunteer.

The advice that we can give a young singer who goes out on the road with a group to sing, is marry a spiritual, understanding spouse, that’s what was very helpful with us. Although, many times our wives would tell us “Isn’t it time for you to go back out on the road and sing?”, or they would say, “Just go out and sing.” But, in all seriousness, having spiritual, supporting and understanding spouses is key to going out on the road many nights during the year, away from home.

KQ: The Jacobs Brothers have enjoyed 47 years of the JBGMS; what have been this biggest challenge(s) in achieving that long of a successful run with the concert series?JB: What was most helpful in achieving the 47 years that we enjoyed, was that, in addition to the volunteers, was that the same people who loved the Gospel Sings, loved the camp and the purpose of the camp in helping underprivileged children. The Lord

was speaking to the hearts of these people who loved the Gospel Sings and loved the camp and its purpose.Another challenge to keeping the Gospel Sings and camp going was raising the money to keep the camp going. But again, the same people who loved the Gospel Sings loved the camp and faithfully and financially supported the camp.

The biggest hindrance to keeping the all-night Gospel Sings was the surrounding community. What I mean by that is, that they would call the authorities because of the music that would carry out into the surrounding communities. We were “disturbing the peace”. The police were very kind. They would come out at midnight, and tell us that they had complaints of noise. The complaints would come from one direction, but the noise was actually going the other direction entirely… I guess it was the echoes that they were hearing. Our [Mike Jacobs] friend lived over on a hill on the other side of the camp, and he would tell us that he would hear: “Now make the Dixie Melody Boys welcome!”

KQ: If you were to pick the top 3 achievements resulting from the JBGMS, what would they be?JB: I would say establishing the Kings Kids Camp, sustaining the camp over all of these years, and lastly Randy Simpson. His full-time ministry started here, and as a young man, he came to know the Lord here. That was the Lord’s success, and not our doing.

KQ: Of all of the groups, both nationally known, and regionally known that have sung at the JBGMS, which ones have been most memorable?JB: Probably the most memorable are the Cathedrals and also the Dixie Melody Boys. The Dixie Melody Boys have been here all of the 47 years that we have had the Gospel Sings. We had the Cathedrals up until about 1991. Our friend JR Damiani, who lives near in Lansdale, in eastern PA, would have Gospel Sings as well. JR was one of the first four groups starting in 1973 in Hellam. We would have the Dixie Melody Boys, and then when they were touring the North, they would go over to JR’s Gospel Sing as well.

George Younce and Glen Payne were the rocks of the Cathedrals, but what is most amazing, are all of the groups that have spun off from the Cathedrals. Back then, before Roger Bennett was their pianist,

Jacobs Brothers Interview (cont’d)

Keystone Quarterly

is not about us that we do what we do, but for the or Jesus so th t e is glorifie

In the upcoming Summer edition of the Keystone Quarterly, the initial “Historian’s Corner” article will focus on the history of SG music in general, but also its impact and outreach within PA. Focus will be placed on what it is, the origin of SG music, some of the early performers both outside and inside

of PA (such as The Couriers with Duane Nicholson), where SG music is today, and the various media (radio, TV, satellite radio, and magazines) outlets that air SG music and those who present it. If you don’t know much about the history of SG music, stay tuned for the 2019 Summer edition of the Keystone Quarterly; you will know more about it after reading that article!

Historian’s Cornercontinued on from 5

Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music AssociationHall of Fame Banquet

Musical Guests: Three Bridges

Saturday, October 26, 2019The Open Door Church, 600 Miller St.

Chambersburg, PA Doors Open - 5:00 PM

Dinner - 6 PM / Concert - 7 PMAdmission - $35.00 (Concert Only - $15)

Join Us For An Evening of Dining,Entertainment, Fellowship and

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!For Ticket Information Call:

John Lythgoe (814) 619-5140 or Ken Rhodes (814) 310-1113

Shannon Smith – LeadElliott McCoy – BaritoneJeremie Hudson – Tenor

The death of Daniel Joseph Harmon on October 1st, 2018, ended the life of a talented musician and skilled Network Administrator. His call to the "Sweet Blessed Land of Beulah" at age 63 cut short a life-long mission of bringing to Christian congregations his "message in the music," as the founder of the southern gospel groups Martha Wiseman, March Forth, and in 2007, Mercy's Vessel. Leading this quartet (later, a trio), he worked tirelessly for excellence because for him, singing was not just about the music, but about ministering to the Christian community.

Gerald Wolfe was the pianist. He could sing lead and play piano. On one night, Glen Payne was ill, and Gerald filled in singing the lead and playing piano. Shortly after, Greater Vision was started by Gerald Wolfe. Mark Trammell was also with the Cathedrals and we all know that he started the Mark Trammel Quartet. He would come here and sing. Later, Ernie Haase, who was with The Cathedrals as their tenor, later formed Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, but that group never sang here. Danny Funderburk, who was with the Cathedrals for 8 years, came here when Mike Lawver’s daughter Amy was 6 years old and a memory from that night was that Danny brought her up to the stage and he had her sing “Movin’ Up to Gloryland” with them. That was fun. Bill Dykes was with the Cathedrals in the early ‘70’s, so he did not sing with them when the Cathedrals were here, but he was here when he was with Jerry Goff. Johnny Cook, with the Happy Goodman Family, sang here many times, and his times were memorable. He sang here in 1980, the night before we dedicated the Chapel. We know he found the ‘city that he was looking for’ with Vestal Goodman, as they would sing the song “Looking for a City” and go up a half step on each verse.

KQ: How has prayer impacted the decisions and focus of JBGMS, and give a couple of examples of how God answered specific prayers involving JBGMS?JB: We had prayed that our financial house would be in order by our 50th year. We were running short on money and we prayed diligently for a full year and asked God to deal with our finances. He did! It took Him until December 29th of that 50th year, but he provided two Christian business men who had the same vision for the camp, that being providing camp for underprivileged children. They purchased the camp from us and have leased the camp back to us for the past 8 years, so that we could continue to have the Gospel Sings in July and throughout the summer months.

KQ: Since the JBGMS have been successful for all of these years, what motivated you to end the Concert Series this year?KB: Several factors led to us ending the Concert Series this year. Limited staff, fewer volunteers to do the

work, and fewer people coming out to the concerts. In 1995/6 at the peak of the Gospel Concert series, we had 1,900 people come out on a Saturday night. This year, we did not total 1,900 for all four days. With fewer people in attendance, financial offerings and ticket sales dropped off to the point where we could not foot the cost of the top name groups coming in on Saturday and Sunday.

KQ: Did the concert series start in the open air, a tent or the present tabernacle?JB: We did start the Concert Series off in 1973 in open air. From 1977-1984, we held the Concert Series under a large tent, and then in 1985 we built the pavilion. We had sawdust floors when we built the pavilion. Initially, we had metal seats in the pavilion, and between old rusty metal seats, and the sawdust, people were messing up their clothes. I received a call one day from Harold Young, who informed me that they were going to remodel The Forum in Harrisburg. After talking with five different people, I finally found the right person. He made a deal with us: they were going to throw out all of their seats, but if we could bring a truck, they would remove the seats, and take them to the door. All we had to do was load them. We ended up with and transported 1,800 seats. We only needed 650 seats. So, we sold some of the seats and with the money from that we were able to pour concrete for the floor. We had to store some of the seats in our barn, other people’s barns and all over the area. We didn’t always have permanent seats in the pavilion. People would bring lawn chairs and we saw that we could not get as many lawn chairs in the pavilion as we thought we could with permanent seats. When we first started, people would bring their lawn chairs and use metal stakes and stake their chair to the ground. Then, other people would come in and take the stakes out, discard the other people’s chair to the side, and stake in their own chairs. So that is what prompted us to get permanent seating. Also, we have not always had the same backdrop on the platform. We started with curtains. Then, a guy on our board of directors, had access to lumber, which led to the making of the backdrops. However, they were a bit of a challenge, as these 15-foot lumber boxes had nails and staples in them that had to all be pulled. Ouch!


Keystone Quarterly

Picture this in your mind: An impromptu quartet of choir members singing at a church function has a profound, life-changing impact on a member of the audience. That individual’s response led those choir members to form the Brothers In Grace Quartet and a singing ministry that has spanned 25 years!

The last remaining charter member of Brothers In Grace is manager and baritone, Ted Wissler. Today, Dave Theis (lead), Mike Mann (tenor) and Dave Miller (bass) round out the quartet. With phenomenal four-part m le h rmony in uence y the pioneers of the outhern ospel genre this group positi ely supports loc l churches with progr ms fille with joy.

“Although our singing has taken us to a showcase on the main stage at the NQC,” says Ted, “our most special concert was to an audience of one, when the music director at our home church was in the fin l st ges of c ncer. he w s gre t supporter of the group s ministry n the presence of the or was surely felt by all in the room.”

At their concerts, the group is currently featuring their latest project, Singing The Mighty Power. Danny Funderburk, who produces projects, was also at the control board as this recording came to life.

From the group’s beginning when they touched a single soul, Brothers In Grace has continued to minister and win lives for Christ. Their motto, drawn from Ephesians 5:19, says they are “Singing and Making Melody in Our Hearts.” That singing and those melodies continue to impact lives today.

To learn more about Brothers In Grace, visit brothersingrace.com or call Ted Wissler at (717) 291-1535.

2018 PSGMA Keystone Award WinnersBy Shelia Heil

From left: Mike Mann, Ted Wissler, Dave Miller, Dave Theis


KQ: What was the latest time overnight that you can remember a concert night going?JB: We held the all-night Gospel Sings, 6 PM - 6 AM, for the first 7-8 years, so 1984 was the last year for the all-night sings. We tried different times: We went from 2 PM to 2 AM, but that got to be too hot in the afternoon, so we moved to 4 PM to 4 AM, and most recently from 6 PM – 1 AM.

KQ: Have you created a concert series historical article to this date?JB: For the 50th anniversary of the Jacobs Brothers concert ministry in 2012, we published a brochure that had many of the pictures taken from over the 50 years that served as sort of a historical article covering our 50 years of singing Gospel music. This year’s handout, our last year, showed the camp with the big tent in 1980. That picture was taken by Duane Nicholson, who at that time had a private airplane and flew over and took the picture of the camp with the tent.

KQ: This year was the final year of the JBGMS. Are there any plans in place to continue the Summer Gospel Music Series at the KKC in the future?JB: Yes, but none that we will be sponsoring. Randy Simpson has had the Memorial Day and Labor Day Concerts here for a few years now and he also will now be picking up the Friday and Saturday concerts the same weekend that we have held the Gospel Spectacular. There is another promoter who would like to do a 4th of July concerts series here, nothing definitive on that yet, but there are things in the works; more to follow with that.

KQ: What are your plans for the future?JB: Whatever God Allows {Mike} and One Day at a Time [Bob]. We started this camp with that song and we plan to follow it. Further, we make our plans, but God determines our steps.

No matter where the Lord leads the Jacobs Brothers in the future, beside their 57-year journey that He directed their paths, they made a huge impact in the lives of underprivileged children through the Kings Kids Camp. Furthermore, through their Gospel Spectaculars, and through all of their concerts on tour and 60 gospel albums, they have touched the lives of so many for the kingdom of God. They continue to minister in 100 concerts a year, plus running many tours annually throughout the country and around the world.

In conclusion, after reflecting on this interview with The Jacobs Brothers, two passages from Scripture come to mind:

1. Matthew 19:14 KJV: “But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

2. Proverbs 3:5,6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.

Thank you, Jacobs Brothers, for all you have done for children, and for the cause of Christ. God Bless you and your families!

To follow their ministry, go to www.jacobsbrothers.com, as well as their 30-minute television program being produced since 1973 on WGCB Channel 49, located in Red Lion, PA. The program was expanded to one hour in 2019. It is shown on Sunday afternoon from 5 to 6 PM.


THE “GOSPEL MUSIC SPECTACULAR” HISTORICAL LEGEND OFSOUTHERN GOSPEL TALENT OVER THE YEARS

By Dave Theis

CATHEDRALS QUARTETJERRY GOFF

JOHNNY COOKCHARLES TREMENDOUS JONES

LAVERNE TRIPPDAVE BOYER

DOUG OLDHAMMERRILL WOMACK

COURIERSEASTMEN

HEMPHILLSWATCHMEN

DIXIE MELODY BOYSHOPPERS

CENTURIANSVERSATONESCROSSMEN

DELAWDERSGABRIELSPROUSE’S

CANADIANSJACK SHELL

KEN MARKLEYHENRY HARRISON

DICK CANFIELDFREDDY GAGE

BELIEVERSNEW SPIRITVICOUNTS

JOURNEYMENCASH FAMILY

SINGING JOURNEYMENSUNBEAMS

NATHAN MEYERHEAVEN BOUNDPELL BROTHERS

CHRISTIAN DIPLOMATSVALLEY FOUR

GOSPEL HARMONY BOYSBILL GLASS

ROBBIE HINERSTEVE BERNICK

SUNRISEFAMILY CIRCLE

TEDDY HUFFAM AND THE GEMSNOBLEMEN

RHYTHM MASTERSBOB PALMER

CHET BITTERMANTALLEYS

WINGERTSFORBES FAMILY

GOLD CITYBROTHERHOOD

RECREATIONBILL MURRAYDON NORMAN

PHILLIPS FAMILYSTEEL CITY

FLEETHER BROTHERSWENDY BAGWELLDONNIE SEABOLT

KINTZEL BROS.CAL THOMASPAT KELLEY

EASTER BROS.REUNION

ANCHORMENCANAAN HAPPY LAND

REX NELONCHURCHMEN

MORNING STAR SINGERSSECOND GENERATION

KINGSMENLESTERS

JEFF & SUE DUFFIELDAPOSTLES

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP QT.NATHAN MEYER

NEW SONGPERFECT HEARTGREATER VISION

BISHOPSLACEYS

PURE IN SPIRITKAREN PECK

GREENESCHARIOT

PALMETTO STATE QT.MULLENSMARTINS

McKIETHENSKIRK TALLEY

GREG HESSONLY BY GRACEHOLLEY and AMYPANTANA FAMILYFELLOWSHIP QT.

MELODY TRIOBUDDY MERRICK

JIM HUBILLDIXIE ECHOESCALVARYMEN

REFUGE

OWENSHELMSMEN

JACOBS BROS. 70’s REUNION GROUPPHIL CROSS

BROTHERS IN GRACEDOVE BROTHERS

HEMPHILLSDOWN EAST BOYS

HARVEST TIME REAPERSHAGANS FAMILY

DONNIE SANDERSTHE HALES

MENDED WINGSCOMMON BOND

SHELDON MENCERPROMISED LAND QT.

THREE BRIDGESJIM BRADY TRIO

BLACKWOOD BROTHERSLEGACY FIVE

DOVE BROTHERSBOOTH BROTHERS

JEFF AND SHERI EASTERBRIAN FREE and ASSURANCE

LUMBER RIVER QT.DIPLOMATS

ANN DOWNINGRANDY SIMPSON

COMMANDMENT 11NEEDHAMSMcMILLENS

CARRIERS QT.DAVE KOFFEL

SKYLINE BOYSPICKERINGS

COLLINGSWORTH FAMILYTRIBUTE QT.

TIM LOVELACEOLD TIME GOSPEL HOUR QT.

HAYES FANILYTHE HYSSONGS

CURTIS HYLER and JUBILATIONRENEWED

MARCH FORTHMIKE WILLIAMS

CHIZ RYDERBROTHERSMILLERS

TRUE ALLIANCEMENDED HEART

BILL DYKES

From the 1970’s until 2019, The Jacobs Brothers and others brought all of the country’s best southern gospel talent and gospel speakers to the GOSPEL MUSIC SPECTACULAR. For a while, they were ‘all night sings’… Here is a legend of who has visited the concert series over the years, many who came many, many times over the years, in no particular order:

Needless to say, GOD has richly used the Jacobs Brothers and their annual GOSPEL MUSIC SPECTACULAR for bringing national Southern Gospel music to Pennsylvania for so, so many years!!

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2018 PSGMA Hall of Fame BanquetEach year, the PSGMA inducts three individuals

into the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In October 2018, another three well-deserving artists joined the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame Alumni.

The first of those individuals is John Abraham. John says that since his birth, his Mom raised him (and all his siblings) in church. John states, “My Mom, Minnie Abraham (who was also inducted into the PSGMA Hall of Fame several years back), taught all her children to sing and

play music, and to be a part of the worship experience from a very early age.” John says, “Dad taught us the value of hard work.” John's first memory of gospel music is when his family went to hear a Couriers concert. He said it changed his life. In the late 1960's, John started a monthly hymn sing in his community, that eventually became the start of their own family group, The Watchmen. In 1974, The Watchmen signed with Don Baldwin’s Hymntone Records.

Later, The Watchmen added a taste of the contemporary sound to their music, when they noticed it was reaching and ministering to the younger generation. Yet, they never lost their Southern Gospel roots, as harmonies, and a strong message were always at the forefront. John traveled with The Watchmen from their beginning until their coming off the road in late 1987. John lists the most important part of their accomplishments was seeing The Lord touch and change many lives over the course of 20 years of music ministry.

The second individual to be inducted this year is Bill Dykes. Bill was born in Cincinnati, OH in 1946. The son of a Baptist preacher, Bill became his father’s music director at the age of 12, because there was no one else to serve that position, and so he learned to enjoy music at a very early age. At age 19, Bill started

singing with The Chancellor Quartet from Hamilton, OH, and he would go on to sing for 54 years with many great gospel groups. Just to name a few, Bill sang with The Rhythm Masters, Coy Cook & The Senators, Chariot, Jerry & The Singing Goffs, and the most notable, The Cathedral Quartet from Stow, OH. Throughout his career, Bill traveled and sang all over North America and in other countries, and sang in literally thousands of churches. Bill states, “Singing with The Cathedral Quartet, with their sound and professionalism, was probably one of the greatest experiences in my music profession, and something that I'll always be grateful for.” Bill then went on to take the position of Vice President and Director of Artists & Repertoire for QCA Records in Cincinnati, OH. Now living in Pennsylvania, Bill has been a businessman and professional for the past 25 years, and he stills enjoys singing in churches around the United States.

The third and last individual being inducted this year is the late David Benner. Pastor David Benner and his wife Sharon, willingly shared God's good news through word and song. They enjoyed singing traditional and southern style gospel music for more than 30 years. Rev. David Benner was a true man of God, concerned with the souls of his fellow man, serving 21 years as Senior Pastor of Blainesburg Bible Church, located between Brownsville and California, PA.

David had a passion for seeing the Word being offered in the form of gospel music. He promoted hundreds of gospel concerts, even inspiring his church to build a pavilion that would accommodate 250 people for outdoor gospel concerts and festivals.

John Abraham

Bill Dykes,presented by Duane Nicholson

Keystone Quarterly

ny of gospel music's finest groups h e performe t stor i s concerts, including The Kingsmen Quartet, The Anchormen, Tribute Quartet, Three Bridges, Brian Free & Assurance, Squire Parsons, and New Journey, just to name a few. David will be remembered for his caring, compassionate love for people. He was often found working side by side with anyone needing help with physic l l or s well s lw ys fin ing w ys to encour ge the f mily of God, giving hope to the hopeless and letting everyone know that God loves them, just as they are.

The evening was rounded out by our special guest Emcee Paul Heil, known as the voice of The Gospel Greats radio program. He introduced the 2018 recipients of the 2018 Keystone Award, Brothers In Grace Quartet, who then favored us with a small sampling of their music. The program was then followed by a wonderful and classy concert by The Blackwood Brothers Quartet. The music was presented in traditional quartet form and the audience was thrilled and excited. Make your plans now to attend the 2019 PSGMA Hall of Fame Banquet taking place Saturday, October 26th, 2019. More details can be found in this issue.

David Benner, presented by John McPherson, accepted by

Ray Eutsey

Page 6 Keystone Quarterly

is not about us that we do what we do, but for the or Jesus so th t e is glorifie

In the upcoming Summer edition of the Keystone Quarterly, the initial “Historian’s Corner” article will focus on the history of SG music in general, but also its impact and outreach within PA. Focus will be placed on what it is, the origin of SG music, some of the early performers both outside and inside

of PA (such as The Couriers with Duane Nicholson), where SG music is today, and the various media (radio, TV, satellite radio, and magazines) outlets that air SG music and those who present it. If you don’t know much about the history of SG music, stay tuned for the 2019 Summer edition of the Keystone Quarterly; you will know more about it after reading that article!

Historian’s Cornercontinued on from 5

Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music AssociationHall of Fame Banquet

Musical Guests: Three Bridges

Saturday, October 26, 2019The Open Door Church, 600 Miller St.

Chambersburg, PA Doors Open - 5:00 PM

Dinner - 6 PM / Concert - 7 PMAdmission - $35.00 (Concert Only - $15)

Join Us For An Evening of Dining,Entertainment, Fellowship and

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!For Ticket Information Call:

John Lythgoe (814) 619-5140 or Ken Rhodes (814) 310-1113

Shannon Smith – LeadElliott McCoy – BaritoneJeremie Hudson – Tenor

The death of Daniel Joseph Harmon on October 1st, 2018, ended the life of a talented musician and skilled Network Administrator. His call to the "Sweet Blessed Land of Beulah" at age 63 cut short a life-long mission of bringing to Christian congregations his "message in the music," as the founder of the southern gospel groups Martha Wiseman, March Forth, and in 2007, Mercy's Vessel. Leading this quartet (later, a trio), he worked tirelessly for excellence because for him, singing was not just about the music, but about ministering to the Christian community.

ChapterVIIGospelQuartet

!

SpreadingGod’sWordthroughMusicContactInforma,on:

(717)249-4938Email:[email protected]

VisitUsAt:www.chapterviigospel.comandonFacebook:

hKps://www.facebook.com/ChapterVIIGospelQuartet

NowBookingfor2020!

Keystone Quarterly

Jacobs Brothers Evangelistic Association presents:2019 Gospel Music Spectacular

47th Annual Camp Meeting — July 25 ~ July 28at the King's Campground, 145 Glenwood Rd., Dillsburg, PA

Thursday, July 25Love offering taken for The Hagans

Potluck Dinner 5:30 PMJB's Question & Answer - 6:15 PMConcert with The Hagans - 7:00 PM

Bon Fire - 9:00 PM

Friday, July 26 - 6:00 PMLove offering taken for theJacobs Brothers Ministries

~ Jacobs Family Night ~ Second Generation ~~ Only By Grace ~ Pure In Spirit ~

~ and more Jacobs Brothers combinations ~... including the original 4 Brothers ...... 70's Jacobs Brothers ... and more ~

Saturday, July 27 - 5:00 PM~ Dixie Echoes ~ The Lesters ~

~ Promised Land ~ Fellowship Quartet ~~ Randy Simpson ~ Jacobs Brothers ~~Tickets Required - call 717-432-3921

All tickets $30 per person tonight - open seating

Sunday, July 2810:00 AM

Chapel Service provided by:Commandment 11 Ministries

A wonderful blend of God-honoringmusic and speaking

Love offering to be taken for Commandment 11

1:00 PMAn afternoon with:

~ Dixie Melody Boys ~ Three Bridges ~~ The Needhams ~ Jacobs Brothers ~Tickets Required – call 717-432-3921

All tickets $25 per person this afternoon Open seating

Our two day package (Saturday & Sunday)$50 per person

2019 ToursNova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick & Maine Tour ~ June 15 - 23, 20199 beautiful days ... just $1,214 pp

Noah's Ark & Creation Museum ~ August 12-16, 20195 days - also includes a "BB Riverboats" sightseeing cruise and the Newport Aquarium ... just $599 pp

Mackinac Island Tour ~ September 15-21, 20197 days - motorcoach tour to Northern Michigan ... just $682 pp

Memphis, TN Tour ~ October 13 - 19, 20197 days - motorcoach tour including a visit to Graceland ... just $664 pp

Branson Christmas Tour ~ Nov. 10 - 16, 20197 days - enjoy 7 Christmas shows, lights and more ... just $762 pp

34th Holy Land Tour ~ December 02 - 11, 2019Walk where Jesus walked ~ don't miss out!For free brochures on our tours, please contact us at:717-432-0505, or write to: Jacobs Brothers Tours, P. O. Box 68, Dillsburg, PA 17019

We Love You WallBy Duane Nicholson

Traveling the nation and around the world has allowed me to see some awesome sights. I still love to travel and observe our beautiful world. Every nation I have visited, and every corner of our beloved United States has areas of beauty: mountains, oceans, lakes, deserts, valleys,

rivers, plains and even some skylines of major cities. This article will be about an unusual happening that involves the beautiful Susquehanna River that winds its way rather slowly from the northern reaches of Pennsylvania, New York State and Maryland and its tributaries from thousands of square miles to it final destination in the Chesapeake Bay and on to the Atlantic Ocean.

It is not a deep river, but on occasion it can be a raging monster. There are records of major flooding from the 1800’s to the present. It seems that the major floods were 15 years apart. The worst was the year I discovered America far from Pennsylvania, where I grew up, in Iowa. It was so devastating, that one town named Sunbury, along the river, decided to put up a wall that was higher than the previous high mark of flooding by quite a bit. A major road with homes were along this wall and it did cut off the view of the river.

The year was 1936.

The years went by and from time to time the river rose, but never got close to the water level of 1936. Several years after the devastating flood of 1936, people began to complain about the wall obstructing their view. Many wanted the wall to come down. Memories of the destruction faded and younger people who had not experienced the ‘36 flood were clamoring for the wall to come down.

Then came 1972, when tropical storm Agnes came storming up and down the river, dumping incredible amounts of rain. Flood stages rose to over 6 feet higher than in 1936 in some areas. Over 1,600 homes were flooded and 72 people died. One of the only bright spots along the devastating path of raging water was the town of Sunbury. The water came within 1 inch of

the top of the wall and held. Hundreds of homes, and probably lives, were saved.

When the water receded, someone brushed the wall in huge red letters with the words of this article’s title, ‘WE LOVE YOU WALL, 6/24/72’. I took a picture of this lettering, and it is shown below.

There is a sermon in this story. When we become a Christian, a wall of protection is built to protect us from the onslaughts of the devil that surely will come into our lives. Even in the early stages and through many years, our nation has been protected by God’s hand, because our nation trusted in an almighty God, or at least proclaimed our trust in God in so many ways. Now, it seems that the wall of protection is being attacked on every hand. We even see prominent religious leaders tearing down the wall of protection and forgetting God.

It seems our wall of protection is in disrepair.

I urge all of us to repair that wall of protection, because in the coming years, the storms will come and we must be ready to withstand the raging storms that would love to destroy our Trust in the Lord our God. Isaiah 60:18: “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise”.

Keystone Quarterly

King’s Campground & Crossing Jordan Promotions Presents

Memorial Day 2019

May 25th & 26th

King’s Campground (145 Glenwood Road – Dillsburg, PA)

Saturday @ 5:00 PM

Randy Simpson

Choraliers & Pearl

Sunday @ 11:00 AM Morning Church Service

w/Joe Tomlinson

Sunday after church Pot Luck Lunch !! Camp will provide Hot Dogs,

drink and paper supplies,

you bring a dish to share.

Sunday @ 5:00 PM

Randy Simpson

The Hagans

Concession stand opens

One hour prior to concert each day

Love Offerings will be

taken at each concert

For camping info, please call 717-432-3921 or 717-460-5119 or email: [email protected]

For all other info, please call 717-385-8901 or email: [email protected]

EVERYONE WELCOME !!! BRING A LAWN CHAIR !!!!! BRING A FRIEND !!!!!

COME ENJOY A WEEKEND OF GREAT GOSPEL MUSIC !!!!!!

Crossing Jordan Promotions www.randysimpson.org Plane Jane Records

Keystone Quarterly

Jacobs Brothers Tours34th Holy Land Tour ~ December 02 - 11, 2019

Walk where Jesus walked ~ don’t miss out!

Niagara Falls Tour ~ May 11 - 15, 20205 days ~ includes a tour of Toronto ~ $563 pp

San Antonio Tour ~ June 04 - 15, 2020Visit the Alamo and the famous Riverwalk and much more ...12

days ... just $1,235 pp

Nova Scotia Tour ~ June 19 - 27, 20209 beautiful days ~ also visits Prince Edward Island, New

Brunswick & Maine ... just $1,214 pp

Mackinac Island Tour ~ August 17 - 22, 20206 days - motorcoach tour to Northern Michigan ... just $659 pp

Noah’s Ark & Creation Museum ~ September 14 - 18, 20205 days ... also includes the Newport Aquarium and Cincinnati

Riverboat Cruise --- $623 per person

Cape Cod Tour ~ October 05 - 09, 20205 days and includes a Harbor Cruise --- $549 per person

For free brochures on our tours, please contact us at:717-432-0505, or write to: Jacobs Brothers Tours,

P. O. Box 68, Dillsburg, PA 17019

Our Sound is Country, Our Message is Jesus! - -

Keystone Quarterly

Sharing the good news of Jesus in song

P.O. Box 811, Ebensburg, PA 15931 Web: www.keystonestatequartet.net Phone: 814-421-0808 Email: [email protected]

Like us on Facebook: Keystone State Quartet

We invite you to visit our web page to hear clips of music from our newest CD entitled “Saved by Grace”

A new national radio single, which has been released by Eric Melton with “Choice Productions Media Group”, is entitled “What Happened At The Cross, Stays At The Cross.” The single was written by Kristi Fitzwater and Jerry Kelso and is taken from our latest recording, “Saved By Grace”. The recording fea-tures a plethora of songs including quartet favorites, loved hymns, as well as new material; the recording contains something for every gospel music fan.

“What Happened At The Cross, Stays At The Cross” is currently playing on nu-merous radio stations and will be available for download purchase on iTunes,

Amazon Music and numerous other download sites in the near future.

Now booking for 2020. We’d love to worship with you!

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Featuring: Brothers in Grace • Randy Simpson • Dixie Melody Boys

FOR INFORMATION AND MAIL ORDER TICKETS: Mail check or money order with a self-addressed stamped self-addressed stamped envelopeenvelope payable to: payable to: Randy Simpson Ministries, 104 Pearl Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013 or call 717-385-8901.

24th Annual Gospel Music FestivalProceeds to Benefit God’s Work at Bethesda MissionProceeds to Benefit God’s Work at Bethesda MissionProceeds to Benefit God’s Work at

Saturday November 9th, 2019 • 6:00 p.m. Otterbein United Methodist Church • 647 Forge Road • Carlisle, PA

ADVANCED TICKET PRICES: Gold Artists Circle – $25 • Regular Reserved – $20Regular Reserved Groups of 10 or More – $18 • 12 & Under – $6 • Day of Concert – $23

DIRECTIONS: From HarrisburgFrom Harrisburg –From Harrisburg –From Harrisburg follow I-81 South to exit 49 (High St.), end of ramp, turn left onto W. Trindle Rd. – follow I-81 South to exit 49 (High St.), end of ramp, turn left onto W. Trindle Rd. –Proceed 1/4 mile and turn right onto Army Heritage Rd. Proceed 1/10 mile and turn left onto Fairview St. Proceed 3/4 mile to traffic light. Proceed straight 1/4 mile and turn left onto Forge Rd. Proceed 1 mile and church is on your left.From ChambersburgFrom Chambersburg –From Chambersburg –From Chambersburg follow I-81 North to exit 48 (York Rd.), end of ramp turn right onto Rt. 74 (York Road). Pro – follow I-81 North to exit 48 (York Rd.), end of ramp turn right onto Rt. 74 (York Road). Pro – -ceed 1/2 mile and turn right onto Westminster Drive. Proceed 1/10 mile and turn left onto Forge Rd. Proceed 1 1/2 mile and church is on your left.

For more information visit www.bethesdamissionbenefit.org

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Randy Simpson’sChristmas Dinner Concert

Saturday, December 7th, 20196:00pm (Doors open @ 5:30pm)

THE TREE HOUSE(1090 Franklin Street - Carlisle, PA)

$30 eachGreat Food

Awesome FellowshipLaughter & Fun

Special Door PrizesFor tickets, reservations and more info, call:

717-385-8901 or email [email protected]

PENNSYLVANIASOUTHERN GOSPELMUSIC ASSOCIATION

~Become an annual or

lifetime member!~

Details on back cover!

Keystone Quarterly

c/o Dave Theis, 434 Bethany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4313

Please Check One: q $15.00 1 Year q $25.00 2 Years q $100.00 Lifetime

jacobs brothers gospel music spectacular’s final curtain ... psgma fall 2019 newsletter.pdf ·...

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