A big night of gospel music is coming Saturday night in downtown Pineville at the historic Bell Theater as Dudley Evans presents his first gospel Opry showcase.

Evans, who sings lead for the band Victorious and is also a TV news reporter and anchor in Oak Ridge, Tenn., will bring the showcase to the Bell Theater at 6 p.m. Saturday with live musicians. This first Opry showcase will blend in southern, country and bluegrass gospel music from the northern Tennessee border all the way from West Virginia and back to the Appalachians of Kentucky.

Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 for those who bring in 10 or more from a church group. One attendee of Saturday’s gospel Opry showcase will leave with a $100 prize. Concession will be available. Doors open at 5 p.m. Concert should end around 9:30 p.m. with an intermission sometime in the middle.

Joining Victorious will be the Blankenship’s from Charleston, W. Va. Also appearing will be singer songwriter and promoter Sheila Reed from Dalton, Ga., Sandy Wright Sheldon from Harriman, Tenn., Susan Agee Hicks from Monticello, Amanda Neely from Somerset, and New Sun Rising from Lafollette, Tenn.

Evans stated he wanted to begin the gospel Opry in Pineville and hopes that it will be a monthly event. Evans said with a good turnout at this coming Saturday’s event, this would put Pineville on the map as the new home for The Gospel Opry similar to The Grand Ole Opry.

Evans also said he wanted to re-introduce the gospel music talent that’s across the tri-state region to church families once again as its seems through his now 40 years singing gospel music that he has never saw faith-based programs being attacked as they are today.

Getting singings started back in theatres and churches is his goal with the Opry-style venue. If you are interested in performing on a future gospel Opry, please come by and let Evans know you are interested.

Hopefully, according to Evans, The Gospel Opry could become a regional radio broadcasted event and even reach farther than that.

For information contact Dudley Evans at 865-315-0505.