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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City will host “An Evening of Musical Praise” on Sunday evening, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. The special program will feature local Christian musical group “Lifted,” with lead singer Loretta Bowers. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
Bowers, a native of Elizabethton, has performed on Broadway in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” about the life of jazz musician Fats Waller. She has been performing professionally since she was a teenager and sang for the opening of Freedom Hall in Johnson City, on stage with Bob Hope.
“Loretta is a personal friend and has joined me in church music presentations for a number of years,” says David Hale, choir/music director at Westminster. “She comes from a very talented family – most of her brothers and sisters also sing and play instruments. Loretta sings all styles of music, but her love is gospel music.”
Joining Bowers is Fred Goodwin, a multi-instrument musician and native of East Tennessee who attended East Tennessee State University and taught in the music department there. He has played with Frank Sinatra Jr., Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, Wilson Pickett, Bob Hope, Red Skelton and many others. Goodwin also appeared in the movie, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” playing behind Sissy Spacek in one of the early scenes. He has been playing for Loretta Bowers and the Bowers family for more than 50 years.
Other musicians in the group include Tony Rominger, an East Tennessee native who has played with Chuck Berry and The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose. Rominger is known for playing tenor sax and also an unusual instrument called an EWI — an “electronic wind instrument” that can sound like a violin, flute, piano, and others.
Pat Kelly, originally from Akron, Ohio, has played drums since his teenage years and now plays with many groups in the surrounding area including The Jonesboro Rhythm Express, Brim Leal, and the praise band at First Christian Church.
Howard Bloom comes to East Tennessee by way of New York and Florida. In between times working for NASA, Bloom has played bass with many groups and plays locally with the Jonesboro Rhythm Express, the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, and the praise band at First Christian Church.
“I am amazed at the number of tremendously talented musicians we have in this area such as Fred and Loretta,” Hale says. “We are blessed and fortunate to host them, professional musicians whose main love is for church music, for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Under Hale’s baton, the Westminster Presbyterian Church choir will present choral anthems alongside “Lifted.” Congregational singing and instrumental music will round out the program.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 2343 Knob Creek Road in Johnson City. Visitors are invited to worship at Westminster each Sunday during services at 8:30 and 11 a.m.