HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The City of Hanceville wrapped up its Summer Concert Series Saturday night with The Kingsmen Quartet. The Southern Gospel quartet is a favorite among gospel fans and filled the Hanceville Civic Center. Genesis was the opening act for the Saturday night show.
The Hanceville Civitan Club served dinner prior to the performance. The club is raising money to add a handicap-accessible swing to the playground at C.W. Day Park.
Civitan Brenda Carter said, “We did really good on the meal tonight. It was an excellent meal. We had marinated baked chicken. The Jamaican Jerk chicken was amazing and we had (Rev.) James Fields’ famous ‘nanner pudding.’”
The Civitans sold 67 plates before the show.
The Kingsmen met with fans to take pictures and sign autographs after closing the show with their number one gospel song, “Victory Shout.”
Kingsmen member Alan Kendall explained to the Tribune, “The group’s been going 63 years. Ray (Dean Reese) has been here since the late 60s and Chris (Jenkins) has been here for seven years. Brandon (Reese), Ray’s son, has been here for 23 years. Both our lead singer (Chris Bryant) and myself came about a year ago. We are just trying to carry it on and are very thankful.”
Kendall was very complimentary of the venue and the hospitality shown to the group by the City of Hanceville, Mayor Kenneth Nail and the fans.
“There are a lot of good opportunities here,” he said, “good seating and good acoustics in here. That’s very surprising for a gymnasium. Everything was very crystal clear.”
Aware of the efforts of city leaders to attract musical acts to Hanceville, Kendall added, “It can only grow from here. If you get the word out, folks from surrounding areas will come.”
The fans were blown away by The Kingsmen’s performance. Carter described the performers as “a class act.”
“It gave me the Holy goosebumps,” she said. “The quality! Just wow.”
Nail was pleased with the turnout for the final concert of the summer and said he looks forward to having The Kingsmen back to Hanceville in the future.
“I would like to have Kingsmen and Gold City together,” said Nail as he proudly showed off his autographed picture of The Kingsmen that he is looking forward to hanging in his office.
Ray Dean Reese thanked Nail for the great hospitality, saying, “He treated us well!”
Nail replied, “He even had ice cream from (the) drugstore. Next time you come, we’ll have to get you a cherry ice!”
Find out more about the group at www.kingsmenquartet.com.
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