For Immediate Release

Mississippi’s Longest Running Gospel Quartet – The Bibletones will be performing at the First Baptist Church of Gillette on Saturday March 13, 2010 at 6PM.  The Royal Heirs will also be performing.

The Bibletones Quartet was formed in 1957 by Mr. and Mrs. Ward Hurt, in Lumberton, Mississippi. Hurt was born and raised in North Alabama and actively sang in quartets, including the group, the Sand Mountain Quartet

In the early 1980’s, Hurt retired from the Bibletones and the leadership went to Howard Rutland and Paul Vinson, members of the group. Paul Vinson left the group in the mid 80’s to sing with the Dixie Echoes (his son-in-law is Randy Shelnut). Howard Rutland is the current group manager.

The Bibletones has achieved many accomplishments during its existence including the recordings of more than forty projects, such as videos, television programs and a weekly show in Tampa, hosted by singer, songwriter and minister, The Late Vep Ellis. The group has appeared on the Gospel Singing Jubilee, Grand Ole Opry (Sunday night), The National Quartet Convention, as well as promoted gospel concerts in South Mississippi. (Several concerts were promoted together with the “Old Gospel Man,” the late, J. G. Whitfield).

In the last 52 years, the Bibletones has hosted more than 75 members, each one of them performing with unique talent. They perform primarily in the Southeastern U.S., with occasional dates in the Midwest and Northeast. “The Lord has blessed this ministry and allowed it to grow for the past 52 years. I hope and pray that this group will continue for another 50 years,” stated Rutland.

The Royal Heirs are a local group and this will be their second performance at First Baptist Gillette.  Their group members are Linda Whitley, Loran Brooks, Linda Keener, and Sherman Cooper.  Brooks is a member of First Baptist Gillette.

First Baptist Church of Gillette is located at 3301 Mocassin Wallow Road (97th St E) in North Manatee County.  For more information you can contact the church at (941) 722-1937 or visit their website at  http://www.gillettefbc.org.

For more information on the Bible Tones visit: http://www.thebibletones.org/

To Contact Pastor Tim Durden - 941-780-0240

To Contact Worship Leader Peter Jensen - 813-767-3468

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