Christmas with Jimmy Fortune
JIMMY FORTUNEJimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt, after DeWitt heard him singing at a ski resort and recommended him. Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy was contacted by the Statler Brothers and performed his first show with them on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. Due to the debilitating effects of Crohn’s Disease, Lew was unable to return to the stage with the Statlers, and Jimmy was hired as a permanent replacement in August of 1982. Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits–“My Only Love” (from 1984’s Atlanta Blue) and “Too Much On My Heart” (from 1985’s Pardners in Rhyme). Fortune also wrote the top-10 hit “Forever” from 1986’s Four for the Show and co-wrote the top-10 hit “More Than a Name on the Wall” from 1988’s The Greatest Hits. Jimmy has performed in all of the U.S. States, in Canadian Provinces, and in front of audiences as large as 100,000. He was part of the Statlers’ annual Happy Birthday USA celebration in Staunton, Virginia, for 14 years. He also sang on many of the Statlers’ gold, platinum, and double platinum recordings. Jimmy’s career included The Nashville Network’s popular “The Statler Brothers Show” which aired for seven seasons and debuted in 1991 as the highest rated show for the network. Jimmy was privileged to perform at the White House on two occasions, once for President Ronald Reagan, and once for President George H. W. Bush. He also presented a special gift to actress Elizabeth Taylor by singing his song “Elizabeth” to her for a birthday celebration. Jimmy and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into the CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame on June 29, 2008. Jimmy, as a solo artist, was inducted into the Virginia Musical Hall of Fame in 2018. After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. His first solo CD, When One Door Closes, was released August 2003 on Audium/Koch. He released a gospel album, I Believe, in June 2005, a Christmas CD, Feels Like Christmas, in 2006, a live concert DVD in 2007 a country CD, “Windows” in 2009, “Lessons” in 2012, and “Hits and Hymns” CD and DVD through Gaither Music Group in 2015 which debuted at #10 Billboard Country Album, #1 Southern Gospel, and #6 Billboard Contemporary Christian. The DVD debuted at #1 on Billboard Music Video charts. In 2017 he recorded a compilation of his favorite songs called “Jimmy Fortune Sings The Classics” on the Gaither Music label. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville, writing, touring, and recording a new project for Gaither Music called “God and Country” set to be released in May of 2019.
The Collingsworth Family- Just Sing Tour!
Excitement, spiritual anointing, family-emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect to find when you step across the threshold of the auditorium for an Evening of Family Worship and Praise with The Collingsworth Family. Since their first engagement together as musicians for a church camp in Petersburg, Michigan in August, 1986 until now, the ministry God has given Phil & Kim has expanded and flourished until it is a full-time livelihood that involves their entire family. Their boundaries of influence have expanded until they have sung and played all over the United States (as well as internationally) into their 36th year of ministry. Their constant, persistent attention to cutting-edge arranging, musical excellence, and a proper balance of spiritual emphasis are the keys to success God has helped them tap. Since that time, many ministry opportunities have come across their pathway. They have always maintained a public performance ministry, which for the first fourteen years included doing music presentations for church camps and extended-length revival campaigns. They have also held the positions of Ministers of Music, Hobe Sound Bible Church, Hobe Sound, FL; Director, Music Division, Union Bible College, Westfield, IN; and Phil was Dean of Enrollment Management at his Alma Mater, God’s Bible School & College, Cincinnati, OH. In January, 2000, Phil & Kim transitioned to a new, all-concert ministry. They began recording professionally and currently utilize America’s top-selling choral arranger, Bradley Knight (Dallas, TX) as their primary producer. This new emphasis began to expand their boundaries rapidly. Their home has seen the addition of four children across the years and the children are now very actively involved in the ministry. Their two oldest daughters are quite proficient on the violin and play at each of their concerts. Their entire family sings together in an ensemble. Kim is well-known for her phenomenal mastery of the piano and the extraordinary talent God has given her is a part of each concert, as well as trumpet solos from Phil. Their ministry is featured regularly on the nation’s largest gospel music syndicated radio program, The Gospel Greats with Rodney Baucom. Their music is also regularly featured on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio’s Enlighten Channel 65, GMT (Gospel Music Television), The DayStar Television Network, INSP, and is featured each year, at Christmas, in prime-time specials on the Trinity Broadcasting Television Network. The Collingsworth Family has appeared on many of the Gaither’s Homecoming Series live concert events around the nation, making appearances with the Gaithers in some of their largest venues in the US and Canada, as well as taping many of their filming events at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN; The Billy Graham Library, Charlotte, NC; and at their hometown studio, Alexandria, IN. The CFam Personal Appearance Schedule shows the broad appeal their family emphasis has, performing in all types of venues across the US, the Cayman Islands, Sweden, Norway, Canada, etc. They annually make appearances at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, Brooklyn NY; The Billy Graham Training Center, Asheville, NC; Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, CA; and at many festivals and celebrations such as The Great Smokies PraiseFest, Sevierville, TN; Branson PraiseFest, Branson, MO; The National Quartet Convention, Pigeon Forge, TN; Gaither’s Family Fest, Gatlinburg, TN; etc.
The Isaacs With My Brothers Keeper
