Freemans, Steeles concert rescheduled for Jan. 30 at Renaissance Center

Release Date: 12/16/2002. Expired: 1/16/2003

The Solid Gospel 105-FM concert featuring The Freemans and The Steeles has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at The Renaissance Center in Dickson. Snow forced the postponement from the original concert date of Jan. 16.

Tickets purchased for the Jan. 16 concert will be honored at the new Jan. 30 date. Less than 50 tickets remain for the concert at $12 each.

The Freemans are a dynamic southern gospel music ministry known for their country-style sound and thought-provoking songs. With 16 top-10 hits and 3 number one songs, the Freemans are considered one of southern gospel music’s favorite ministries.

Darrell, Chris, Joe and Misty share their ministry some 250 times per year in Christian-based settings such as auditoriums, churches, festivals, fairs, radio and television.

Darrell Freeman has spent nearly all of his life in Southern gospel music. At the age of 14, Darrell started playing bass full-time with his family's music ministry, the Pathways of Sandusky, Ohio. Darrell knew at this early age that he would be playing and singing Southern gospel for the long haul. Darrell has been in full-time Southern gospel music for over 30 years.

Christina (Chris) Hawkins left her home in California at the age of 16 to join Southern gospel’s award-winning Hinsons. During her seven years with the Hinsons, Chris gained acclaim throughout the gospel music industry. Chris was the youngest female artist to ever receive the coveted “Queen of Gospel Music” award two years in a row (’76, ’77) as voted by readers of the Singing News magazine. It was once said that you could put Chris in the middle of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and still be able to pick out her voice among the hundreds around her.

In 1980, Chris and Darrell married. Chris immediately joined her husband's family ministry, the Pathways, until 1983. Darrell and Chris moved to Hendersonville, Tenn., just outside of Nashville, to form the Freemans. That same year, they signed with Calvary Records in Nashville and began the steady stream of top 10 hits - a pattern that continues to this very day.

As the group formed in Tennessee in 1983, Chris’ sister, Diane Hawkins, was asked to relocate from California to sing the group’s alto part. That same year, Darrell’s first cousin, Joe Freeman, was lured to Nashville from Ohio to play keyboards. In 1992, after traveling together for nine years, Joe and Diane married. When Joe and Diane learned that they were going to be parents, Diane announced that she would leave the road and focus more on motherhood and helping out in the Freemans’ office. Joe took on Diane’s vocal position in addition to playing keyboards and thus the current Freeman sound you hear today - which includes Darrell, Chris and Joe, was established.

In 1997, Misty Freeman, daughter of Darrell and Chris, took her place on the stage with the Freemans by playing acoustic guitar. Misty began singing with the group when they recorded the project Standing Out in 1998. Misty has gained a new generation of fans and with the release of her first solo project, It’s All True, she certainly has a bright future ahead.

In 2001, the family tradition continued as Caylon Freeman began playing drums for the Freemans. Caylon loves traveling on the road and is almost always with the Freemans on most of their appearances.

The Steeles return to The Renaissance Center stage after a successful Christmas show in 2001.

The Steeles are a relatively new name to gospel music but have certainly accomplished a lot in their short time here. Four number one songs and a list of top five songs have made them a mainstay on gospel radio for the last decade.

The foundation of the group is the husband and wife team of Jeff and Sherry Steele. Sherry’s tender vocals and Jeff’s strong baritone voice along with Jeff’s songwriting serve as the nucleus of this group. The Steeles are joined on stage by former Wilburns member Troy Peach and former Perry Sisters and Ruppes member Karen Akemon.

Both come from a rich gospel music heritage and are strong Christians in addition to being great vocalists. The Steeles are also joined by Jeff and Sherry’s children, Christy, 16, Kayla, 12, and Bradley, 7. The Steeles kids have really become fan favorites as they have been added to the program.

The Steeles have just released their sixth project entitled Left Behind. Many have said it is their best release yet and its sales are on record pace.

For more information on the concert at The Renaissance Center, call (615)740-5600. To purchase tickets, call the center’s box office at (615)740-5570 or come by the center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Events - Concerts and Recitals page for more about musical performances.

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