Newton County residents are encouraged to stop by the American Legion Post 89 Hut
Dec. 8 for a fundraising Gospel Singing concert to raise funds for renovations on the hut.
Larry Blackburn, a gospel singer who organized the event, said the line-up for the concert includes some very talented musicians, with decades of experience. He said it’s sure to be a night no gospel fan will want to miss.
“What we’ll have is three groups,” he said. “The first group is called ‘The Slims.’ It’s a local group of older men; our lead guitar guy is 86 years old, and he is a professional. Our backup guitarist is 84 years old.”
Though older than some of the more modern musicians, Blackburn said “The Slims” make up for their age with talent and experience. Their music, he said, has been honed to perfection by time and practice to become some of the best gospel music in the region.
“What’s unique about that group is that age and the professionalism that they have been playing guitars for many, many, many years,” he said. “There’s just an unbelievable amount of experience in that group.”
The second act at the Gospel Singing concert will be a Newton County native, who produced several albums with his music, Marion Felton.
“He is a very well-known singer in Newton County,” Blackburn said. “He’s been on the gospel track almost 100 percent of his life.”
Felton will be joined by his son and a family friend, Ricky Gibbs, who Blackburn said is a “great guitarist.”
“There’ll be several good guitarists there that night,” he said.
The third group will be “Southern Grace,” a group of church members from Grace Baptist Church, which is east of Decatur.
“They’re just local church members,” he said, “But they do get out in the community like this.”
The Gospel Singing will go from 6-8:30 p.m., Blackburn said, and will feature some of the best musicians Newton County has ever known.
Johnny Reeves, commander of American Legion Post 89 said light refreshments will also be provided.
“Just coffee, hot chocolate, cookies, cake, that type of thing,” he said. “You know, just refreshments.”
Reeves and Blackburn said they are hoping to have at least 100 people attend the Gospel Singing event, which is being offered for free.
While there is no cost for either admission or refreshments, Reeves said, a love offering will be taken up to raise funds to repair and renovate the American Legion Hut.
Reeves said the hut, which was built in 1935, has declined over the years and needs extensive repairs to bring it back to its former glory. The historic building is one of the oldest American Legion Huts in the United States, and as commander, he said it was his goal to restore both the Hut and Post 89 to the best condition possible.
“What my goal is is to educate the public about the Hut, because a lot people just ride down Highway 15 and look over there and see it,” he said. “I want to try to start having more events to educate the public and show them that the American Legion, we’re here to help veterans, but not only veterans. We want to include the community.”
Additionally, he said, the hut is also rented out for weddings and reunions, which is another incentive to make sure the hut is in good condition.
Blackburn, who has been a long-time friend of the American Legion Post 89, said the decline of the Hut has been a saddening thing to watch over the years. He said he is proud to have the opportunity to put on the Gospel Singing concert to support the Legion, and he hopes Newton County residents will take advantage of the opportunity to come out and give their support as well.
