Published: October 23, 2009 02:22 pm      

Christian singer brings acclaimed show to arena

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Johnstowners are showing their support for a concert by a Christian performer.

Kevin Braun of Generation Exodus Concerts, the event promoter, predicted a sellout by the time Michael W. Smith, a popular Christian recording artist, brings his “New Hallelujah World Tour” to Johnstown.

The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St.

“The powers that be in Nashville are wondering, ‘What’s in the water in Johnstown?’ ” Braun said.

“We’re having a hard time keeping up with the demand. We had to add another operator just for the Michael W. Smith concert.

“To say it’s shocking is an understatement.”

Braun said 1,000 seats for groups of 20 or more sold out in five days.

The first five rows of $89 floor seating, which includes a pass to meet Smith, also are sold out.

Braun said tickets for $29 arena seating is limited, but $49 floor seats are still available.

“As of two weeks ago, 84 percent of ticket holders were within 15 miles of the War Memorial,” Braun said. “It’s definitely a community thing.

“Coming to Johnstown was going to be a one-time thing, but because of what has happened with this show, an announcement will be made the night of the show of a major, major Christian music event even bigger than Michael coming to Johnstown.”

Smith kicked off this year by co-headlining the “United Tour” with friend and fellow artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

In April, his latest album, “A New Hallelujah,” won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and the title track won for Inspirational Song of the Year.

Smith’s “New Hallelujah World Tour” had a successful European run during the summer, and Smith is touring 17 U.S. cities in October and November.

When the tour kicked off in Orlando, Fla., a new element was added.

Each concert will feature a mass community choir from churches throughout the surrounding area.

David Buckwalter of Westmont, worship director at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 425 Luther Road, Richland Township, will lead Johnstown’s choir of 100 members.

“We’ll have two rehearsals at the church,” Buckwalter said. “One will be two weeks before the concert, and another will be a week before the concert.”

While the majority of choir members are from the Johnstown area, Buckwalter has one member coming from Beaver Falls, Beaver County, and another from the Lancaster area.

“We have 13 songs,” Buckwalter said. “A lot are from ‘A New Hallelujah.’ The choir will be in the final set.”

The choir won’t rehearse with Smith until the day of the concert.

“We’ll have to have our act together before then,” Buckwalter said.

Buckwalter was asked to serve as choir director by the promoter.

Matt Maher, composer of “Your Grace is Enough,” will serve as musical host of the concert’s first half.

Maher recently received a Praise Award as “Worship Leader’s” Breakout Artist of 2008.

Maher’s songs have been recorded by popular Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Phillips, Craig & Dean.

Also performing with Smith will be Meredith Andrews and Phil Stacey.

Andrews has shared the stage with well-known Christian artists such as Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, Building 429, Brandon Heath and Aaron Shust.

When she released her debut worship album, “The Invitation,” last year, the single “You’re Not Alone” became a Top 5 hit on the Christian adult contemporary chart.

The album also garnered two Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations for worship song of the year and praise and worship album of the year.

Stacey, a Top 5 finalist on season six of “American Idol,” recently finished recording his album, “Into the Light,” which showcases his acclaimed vocals and songwriting skills.

Stacey served as musician third class in the Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Fla.

Smith began his songwriting career in 1981, penning hits for Christian artists such as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant.

The next year, Smith began touring as a keyboardist for Grant and eventually became her opening act.

Smith has had 31 No. 1 singles, and five platinum and 16 gold albums.

His accolades include an American Music Award, three Grammy Awards and 44 Dove Awards.

He recently was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.