Published: March 02, 2009 01:55 pm      

The Kingdom Heirs

Gospel group brings concert tour to the two Virginias for one time event

Dollywood’s resident Gospel group, The Kingdom Heirs will make a tour stop in the two Virginias on Friday, March 13, at the Princeton Church of God. This is only appearance scheduled for both West Virginia and Virginia during the 2009 tour.

The Kingdom Heirs have been the resident Gospel group at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for 23 years. During the winter, the band hits the road, traveling from January to March throughout the southeastern U.S.

In 1981, the group began singing in local churches and concert halls. Five years later, they performed at Silver dollar theme park, which is now Dollywood.

The group is no stranger to Gospel radio. Kingdom Heirs has been nominated at the SGMA Awards, the Dove Awards and The Singing News Fan Awards. In 2006, they were named Band of the Year, an award they won in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Currently, the last 12 songs have reach the top five, including the No. 1 song “I know I’m Going There and Forever Changed.”

The Kingdom Heirs are Steve and Kreis French, along with Dennis Murphy, a native of Oceana, W.Va., Arthur Rice, Billy Hodges, Jeff Chapman and Andy Stringfield.

The concert begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Artist circle and general admission tickets are on sale at the church and Christian bookstores in Princeton, Bluefield, Bluewell and Beckley and by major credit card from Christian Concert Authority at (877) 777-4TIX. Artist circle tickets are $16 (limited number available); general admission tickets are $10 advance, $15 day of concert.

Audience members can also bring canned food donations to help restock the church food pantry. Concert Promoter, Stan Wikle said food donations from concert audiences have enabled the church to reach out through its Operation Compassion program and assist residents of the area in need.

Additional information about this concert is available by calling the church at (304) 425-6505 or visiting online at www.gospelmusiccon certs.com. The Princeton Church of God is located on 250 Oakvale Road.