After the enthusiastic response to their singing at the Lanier Library Members Christmas party, the Stony Knoll Church Gospel Quartet is returning on Thursday, 2/28, 6 PM, for a special Live@Lanier Black History Month program. Reverend Arbutus Hines, Betty Landrum, Barbara Cummings, and Alinda Jackson will be “Singing the History of Gospel Music and Spirituals” with free admission for Lanier members and the public. The four have been singing as a quartet for 7 years, and individually most of their lives.

 

“I was 12 when I started singing at the Green Creek Missionary Baptist Church,” remembers Reverend Hines. “My dad sang with the Golden Trumpets Gospel Quartet and the family, all eight of us, would go on the road with him. When the music touches me I want to shout it out.”

 

Betty Landrum, retired retail worker, says, “I tried playing piano as a child but every time I thought I was doing good, the teacher rapped my knuckles with a pencil. I really wanted to be in a choir anyway. I’d crank the record player to hear Mahalia Jackson. Singing gospel puts me in the mood to receive the Lord.”

 

“Gospel music is the way we grew up,” recalls Barbara Cummings, retired schoolteacher. “Mother sang when cooking. We might hear ‘Amazing Grace’ when she was baking the bread.” Gesturing to her heart, Barbara says, “I feel it here.”

 

Barbara’s sister, Alinda Jackson, retired LPN, tells of how she and Barbara were so excited when asked as girls to cut a record in Nashville. “But father wasn’t going to let his young daughters go off to the city.” Today, Alinda is the Stony Knoll Church choir director and pianist.

Seating is limited so arrive early. Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut Street, Tryon, NC 28782. 828-859-9535. www.thelanierlibrary.org.

 

 

Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio

 

PHOTO CUTLINE: The Stony Knoll Gospel Quartet, from upper left, clockwise: Betty Landrum, Barbara Cummings, Reverend Arbutus Hines, pastor, and Alinda Jackson, choir director and church pianist.