Larry Self, President of the Upper Cumberland Gospel Music Association based in Cookeville, said the group wants to create venues for lovers of southern gospel and bluegrass to gather for singings featuring local and regional talent and hopefully to spark an interest in this genre of music among others especially youth.

“We started the Association over three years ago and what we are trying to do is keep old hymns and southern gospel and bluegrass music alive in the Upper Cumberland area. We are not trying to woo anybody away from contemporary music, but we know there are pockets of people in our communities that still like this older type of music and we are trying to get them connected to encourage each other,” said Self.

Roger Gaw, member of local gospel group the Joyful Praises and Vice President of the UCGMA, said enthusiasm for these singing events is growing.

“It’s a good thing. It has helped our group venture out more in different areas, but it helps the churches involved and the people. We want to connect everyone who loves this kind of music and provide singings for them to hear it. There is nothing wrong with other forms of gospel music. We even do some praise and worship music at our church, but some still enjoy southern gospel and bluegrass, and we are just trying to keep that alive,” said Gaw.

“What we like to do is go to different churches on maybe a Sunday or Wednesday evening and bring some of our singers to let the public hear what we are promoting and what our Association is about and how it came to be,” Self-continued.