We would like to invite everyone to get together with their families and friends, grab a lawn chair and come out to Gypsy Hill Park for a special evening of praise and worship with one of gospel music's best loved artist july 4th, 2010. 

Ivan Parker joined the Singing Americans in 1982, the Gold City Quartet as lead vocalist in 1983, launched his solo career in 1994, and sang with his friends Anthony Burger & Kirk Talley as the Trio.  He is a fan favorite on the Gaither Homecoming Series.  Ivan continues to share his ministries by touring over 200 days a year nationwide.  His down home upbringing is evident in his charming and sincere personality.  This endears him to his fans all over the world.  In an article in the Staunton Newsleader he said that he defines success as a way to reach new audiences.  "I'll keep doing what I'm doing and I'll keep striving to do it better, I want to reach more people," says Ivan.

That's exactly what Ivan did when he stepped onto the stage in Gypsy Hill Park for his first ever concert in Staunton on July 3rd, 2007.  In 2008 we had the honor of announcing that Ivan agreed to add Staunton to his calendar as an annual concert to help us celebrate AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY.

In 2008 the popular multi-award winning artist added to his long list of achievements.  Ivan was awarded the Southern Gospel Male Artist from the UKGMA Awards which were held in Leighton Buzzard, England, Released the CD "INSEPARABLE" and the DVD "THE BEST OF IVAN PARKER"  that went to #1 on Billboards Magazine's Southern Gospel Charts, #2 on the Billboard's Music Video Charts and #9 on the CCM Chart. In 2009 Ivan released the CD "UNITY", and was once again honored with the Soloist of the Year Award from Singing News Magazine and won The Southern Gospel Artist of the Year by United Kingdom's NCM (New Christian Music).

To learn more about Ivan, view his complete touring schedule or purchase merchandise go to Ivan's NEW website:         www.ivanparker.com

                                               With IVAN'S Special guest

                                               BRIAN FREE & ASSURANCE

Brian Free is undeniably the most recognized Southern Gospel tenor of our generation.  Since 1982, he has been at the forefront of Southern Gospel music since first joining Gold City Quartet, then moving on to form his own group, Assurance.

Southern  Gospel music has always been Brian's first love, and fans have responded to his music by honoring him as Favorite Male Singer in 1987 and voting him Favorite Tenor a record eight times throughout the years.  He was also named Favorite Young Artist in 1989 and 1991.  Brian Free & Assurance was voted Horizon Group in 1994, and their album 4 God So Loved was named Favorite Album in 1998.

Today, Brian Free & Assurance continue making music that touches people and changes lives.  Traveling with Brian is a talented group of singers and musicians.  Lead singer Bill Shivers, baritone singer Randy Crawford, and bass singer Jeremy Lile round out Assurance. 

Whether singing at a rural church, city auditorium, large arenas with the Gaither Homecoming Tour or on national television, Brian Free & Assurance have one purpose....to share the love of JESUS through music.

For more information about Brian & Assurance, to view their schedule or purchase merchandise you can go to their website:    www.brianfreeandassurance.com

                          Appearing July 3rd

               UNITED STATES NAVY BAND

                    "COUNTRY CURRENT"

                                     8 PM

United States Navy Band "Country Current" country-Bluegrass group is the Navy's premier country music ensemble.  The seven member group was formed in 1973 and quickly established itself in all aspects of country and bluegrass music.

Touring the country each year in support of Navy recruiting, they have performed with such artist as Boots Randolph, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Rhonda Vincent.  Country Current performed at the "Branson Cares-Help Start the Healing" tribute to the citizens of Oklahoma City.  Other credits include The Grand Ole Opry, Academy of Country Music Awards, Branson's Silver Dollar City, Nascar races, They performed at the G-8 Summitt in Sea Island, Ga., hosted by President George W. Bush, performed at the 24th Annual Congressional Barbecue, hosted by President and Mrs. Bush, they also performed as part of the Pentagon Pops Musical Salute to America's "Guardians of Freedom" at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., in 1989, they entertained Chinese Officials in Beijing at a dinner hosted by former President and Mrs. George Bush.

Constantly in demand as part of the Navy Band's "Music in Schools" program, they offer a variety of concerts and demonstrations that compliment music curricula in area schools.  

                                                      GLEN SHELTON

                                                                6PM

 We are glad to welcome Glen back this year.  Glen has shared the stage with national recording artist Randy Travis, Lonestar, Leanne Womack, Ricky Van Shelton, Collin Raye, "Nashville Star winner " Buddy Jewel, Jimmy Fortune and many others.

Winner of the 2002 Colgate Country Showdown winner, " New Artist of the Year" nomination from Inspirational Country Music                          www.glenshelton.com                                                           

                                                     GREATER LOVE

                                                              4 PM

This year we welcome back by popular demand  " Greater Love " , which consists of two families who recently combined their ministries to become one.   Don Leake and his son, Craig Leake, have had the group Greater Love for many years, it has been only recently that Eddie & Sherry Richards joined them.  These 4 unique  and powerful voices represent more than 100 years of combined experience in Gospel music.

Each member has his or her own unique background and testimony, which they frequently share from the stage, but together they have one goal--- to sing songs that will present the gospel to the lost and to those who are hurting.

The group consist of   Don Leake -- Bass,  Craig Leake--Baritone, Sherry Richards--Alto and Eddie Richards--Lead.      This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

                                THE LAST MINUTE BAND

                                                3PM

Steve Devenny (Vocals/Lead Guitar/Fiddle)  Steve has been playing music for as long as he can remember, and is heavily influenced by Bluegrass, Folk and Motown or as he fonfly refers to it as Mo-grass.  Steve likes music that is slightly off center with a twisted sense of humor...it's his way of woking through his desire to be a comedian in another life.

Vince Drumheller (Vocals/Lead Guitar) Vince's biggest musical influence comes from his mother.  She sang in a Bluegrass Bnd featured regularly on a Saturday morning radio show out of Harrisonburg, Va.

Jerry Fretwell (Bass Fiddle)  Jerry's mom told him as a young boy playing guitar that he would never be a finger picker but you have great rhythm, and so a Bass player was born.  Jerry is always ready for a jam session at his music shop, Fretwell Bass and Acoustic Instruments, located in Staunton, Va.

Marta Szuba (Vocals/ Washboard) has been singing inchoirs since she was seven.  Her inspiration comes from the folk era of the 70's with a little dash of swing, bluegrass and classical mixed in.  She played guitar for a number of years but has just begun exploring the nuances of the washboard, "Who knew a washboard could be so much fun"!

                            1: 30                                                                NOON

COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN                    CHILDRENS SHOWCASE

                       10AM                                                                 7:30AM

                     PARADE                                                 FIRECRACKER 5K RACE