By Kim Ousley
For The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON — Their fans come from a wide range of backgrounds; Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Bill Gaither, to name a few. Their music is based in the gospel tradition.
And that’s part of the reason the Blackwood Quartet has been a favorite for nearly 40 years.
The quartet — featuring Ron Blackwood, the oldest son of the original founder R. W. Blackwood — will be presenting a benefit Christmas concert for Families Forever Ministries and Ken Gates Ministries on Friday at Aletheia Fellowship & Ministry Center, 2505 Faith Drive.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Aletheia Fellowship at 649-3480 and Families Forever Ministries at 642-4462.
“Our music goes beyond southern gospel,” Blackwood said. “It crosses borders. We were the first group to play Farm-Aid. We were a little concerned. How would they take our music?”
But as they were introduced by Willie Nelson, everyone cheered and sang along to the old gospel songs so familiar to those who grew up hearing them at home and church.
Even Bill Gaither reportedly commented to Blackwood, “You’ve got one of the best quartets in the country.”
Gaither was likely talking about the original quarter, too.
“That was their style, and that’s what Bill liked about them; country and western but classic,” Blackwood said.
Blackwood and his brothers grew up sitting with Elvis Presley in Sunday school.
Blackwood recalled Elvis came riding up on his motorcycle one time with actress Natalie Wood on the back along with a few of his Hollywood buddies, all excited and saying, “That’s the famous Blackwoods, that’s where they live.”
Elvis was a big fan of Blackwood’s dad and his uncle, James.
R. W. Blackwood died in an plane crash, leaving behind a legacy that would survive the generations.
Ken Gates, of Ken Gates Ministries, met the Blackwoods and befriended them, asking them to come to Anderson to do a benefit concert for Families Forever Ministries, a nonprofit counseling service and his ministry.
Gates is also president of IGMA/Indiana Gospel Music Association. “The Blackwood Quartet has an upbeat, spiritual undertone,” Gates said.
“Someone introduced us to Gates, we did a concert in Evansville, Ind., and it was very successful,” Blackwood said.
Along with renditions of such old favorites as “How Great Thou Art” and “He Touched Me,” the Blackwood Quartet also honors veterans and those serving their country, including police and firemen, and those on active duty.
“Yes, we’re going through tough times, but we still have the greatest country in the world,” said Blackwood.
The opening act for the Blackwood Quartet will be Joshua’s Vision, a local trio consisting of Bryan and Andrea Hughes and Cory Hutcherson.
“We just released our new CD, ‘A Capella Live!’” said Bryan Hughes.
They will embark upon a third CD project of original selections to be produced with country music flavor.
Other members of the quartet are Chris West, bass; John Rulapaugh, tenor; Josh Garner/lead; Tracy Trent, baritone; Trent Adams, bass; Joe Cox, piano/keyboard.
Community
Blackwood gospel has appealed for 40 years
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