Submitted by

Robin Kirkland

Salt & Light Studios

The Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross presents “A Night of Praise” from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the First United Methodist Church in Sweetwater. Performances will feature Salt and Light Studios, Doyle Tallent, Dr. Hugh McCampbell, Jack Aikens, First Church Choir, Ed Repass, and Watson Chapel Youth Band. Admission is free (a love offering will be collected.) Snacks and beverages will be available.

The Monroe County Red Cross has struggled for years to financially provide a helping hand to those unfortunate victims of disasters. For the first time the reality of the local chapter’s ability to provide these services may cease to exist in Monroe County, if the community cannot come together to show support for individuals and families who have already lost all they own.

The Red Cross provides emergency shelter, clothing, food and essentials to anyone who has suffered loss due to fire, flood, tornado or any other natural disaster.

Doyle Tallent

Doyle grew up writing and singing gospel music with his family, “The Tallents” and has become a soloist, singing and writing contemporary Christian music.

He has worked and written with renowned writers including Geoff and Becky Thurman, Phil Cross, Anita Renfro and Phil Driscoll. Doyle’s song “Reaching with His Love,” recorded by Cindy Morgan on Word Records, hit the Top Five on the CCM charts.

“What’s He Gonna Say About Me” recorded by Point of Grace on Word Records, sold more than one million copies and gave Doyle his first gold and platinum records.

“Let Your Love Shine”, recorded by Phil Driscoll and Doyle Tallent on Mighty Horn Records, was written for the Columbine Memorial Service. “Hold On” recorded by The Greenes, hit at number 11 on The Singing News Top 40 chart. “Hold On” also was voted one of the Top 40 gospel songs of 2006, as well having the book written “Hold On” based on the song.

Salt & Light Dance Studios

Salt & Light Studios is located in Sweetwater and is a classically trained dance company performing a variety of dance styles. Salt & Light Studios performs locally for churches and benefits year round. A recent large project was a Young Life Benefit with Doug Richesin in January 2008 called “Work of Art.” Other benefits have been Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, National Night Out, NASCAR outreach, Sweetwater Arts Celebration and a variety of school events.

Guitarist Jack Aikens

Jack likes to think of himself as a dedicated musician, a kind and caring person, a loving father and a loyal friend. Jack is a locally born and raised musician and teacher. He has taught and performed in and around the East Tennessee area for several years now. Recently Jack has played at Tellicafe in Tellico Plains, the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, and frequently appears at private parties and functions.

He is currently a guitar and bass instructor as well as a guitarist seeking musicians to play and record with.

Musician and comedian Dr. Hugh McCampbell

Enjoy an evening of down home country stories and veterinary tales, plus the piano and banjo performances with Dr. Hugh McCampbell.

Dr. McCampbell is a solo large animal practitioner from Sweetwater. Since he was raised on a dairy farm and has worked with horses all his life, it was natural to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

In addition to veterinary medicine, he has done a little of a lot of things, from riding bareback broncs to flying airplanes, and from running marathons and team roping, to playing and singing in rock ‘n’ roll bands years ago.

Vocalist Ed Repass

Ed Repass is a resident of Madisonville and has performed venues all over the country. He has been a guest singer with Buddy Guy, Charlie Daniels, the original Outlaws Group, and Billy Dean to name a few. Ed has performed a wide variety of music including  church events, benefits, country shows and weddings.

Currently he is working on a new CD and hosting a Civil Servant Appreciation Day Festival on July 26 at Kefauver Park in Madisonville. 

First Church Choir of Sweetwater

The choir, under the pastorship of Vant Hardaway, has continually been in the forefront assisting community groups with praise and worship music for years.

Watson Chapel Youth Worship Team

Come join the Youth Band as they play favorites from Hillsong Worship.  Favorites like “How Great is Our God,” “Amazing Love,” and “Praise You in the Storm” are just some of the songs brought to you by the group. Come hear John Jones on the drums, Mack strum his guitar, Steve Loope on bass and keyboard, Josh Jones on keyboard and vocals with Megan Matthews with vocals. This is a young energetic group bringing you the popular new worship pieces.

Doyle Tallent and his band will lead the evening’s finale’ with the entire night’s performers with Kirk Franklin’s “Our God is an Awesome God.”