A “Born Again Gospel Explosion,” featuring an award-winning gospel quartet, is set for Sunday at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth.
Doors for the show open at 6 p.m.
The Mississippi Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs are making their return to El Dorado after a four-year hiatus.
The group will headline a show that will focus on a traditional, “old-school” gospel sound, with contemporary Christian music from performers across the region, said promoter Jeremy “Jayo” Owens.
Proceeds from the show will go to the Michael Hayes Scholarship Foundation.
Hayes was Owens’ older brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident in 2002 on Iron Mountain Road.
Owens’ family launched the scholarship fund in 2009 to honor Hayes, a 1997 graduate of El Dorado High School who was actively involved in the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado and to give back to the community by helping area high school graduates go to college.
The foundation is keeping it in the family this year. Owens said his younger sister Angel will be one of two scholarship recipients this year.
“It’s kind of bittersweet for her and for us. There are seven of us (siblings) and she’s the last one that will be graduating from high school,” Owens said.
Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs are making their return to El Dorado after a four-year hiatus.
The group last performed here in December 2013 in a holiday concert that also benefited the Hayes’ scholarship.
Owens said the group received such a warm reception from El Dorado and surrounding areas, he decided to invite them back once he heard they were touring again with lead singer Williams, who recently experienced some health issues.
The quartet was formed in neighboring Mississippi in 1968 and has recorded several albums over the past two decades.
Their debut album, “Jesus is Alive and Well,” was released in 1996 and spawned the hit single, “I’ve Learned to Lean.”
Released in 2000, the group’s third album “Good Time” cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard gospel music charts.
In 2001, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs won Traditional Quartet of the Year at the Gospel Music Excellence Awards.
The same year, the group was nominated for Best Gospel Album at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Their most recent album, “Memphis Gospel, Live!”, was released in 2015.
Also slated to perform Sunday are Grace Justified of Conway, Sounds of Judah of Athens, La., and more.
Owens said youth from the Frankie Andrews Concert Choir, honoring the late Frankie Andrews of Urbana, are also on the bill.
The Rev. Anthony Farris-King will be the special guest host. Owens said advance ticket sales are moving fast. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Tickets are available at Michelle Balstad - State Farm Insurance Agent and Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork in El Dorado; Diane Epps - State Farm Insurance Agent in Camden; and Electro Mart in Magnolia.
Tickets may also be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or by calling Owens at 870-814-8484.