FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011

Columbia, SC - On December 9, 2011, Gospel ICON, Dr. Bobby Jones, host of The Longest Running Show on Cable TV, The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, will present the Gospel Heritage Legacy Award at the Renaissance Foundation’s Gospel Heritage Festival. The purpose of the Gospel Heritage Festival is to showcase the talent of our college and high school gospel choirs and honor our gospel pioneers who continue to preserve the rich legacy of excellence in gospel music. The Gospel Festival will be held at Bethel AME Church, 819 Woodrow St. at 8:00 pm. The theme for this event is “Preserving Gospel Heritage”.

The participating choirs will include students from South Carolina State University, Benedict College, University of South Carolina, Allen University and Claflin University. High School choirs will include Richland Northeast, Spring Valley and Irmo. The “Gospel Legacy Award” Recipients are Dr. Ronald High of Sidney Park CME, Mrs. Doris Massey Works of Haskell Heights First Baptist Church, Rev. Carolyn Brailsford of Bethel AME Church, Mr. Lee Bailey of First Baptist Nazareth, Mr. Harold Brooker of Brookland Baptist Church, Ms. Beverly Rhoden of First Calvary Baptist Church, Mr. Bryant Dreher of Zion Baptist Church and Mrs. Sallie Cuff of Bibleway Church Atlas Road. The Gospel Trailblazer Award Recipient is Dr. Rosemary Griffin of Greater Faith Baptist Church. Our goal is to continue to inspire the young and to show our appreciation to the gospel legends in our community who continue to preserve the rich legacy of gospel music.

The proceeds from this event will go towards the transformation of Historic Bethel into a Cultural Arts Center, and our Arts-in-Education/Edu-History Program. The cost for tickets for this event is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. Groups of 10 or more will receive a 10% discount. Tickets can be purchased at the Renaissance Foundation, 1247 Sumter St, Suite 303 or by calling 733-5634 or online www.renaissancefoundationh.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the following locations, Brookland Federal Credit Union, South Carolina Community Bank and Bethel AME Church.