News / Christian gospel stars to wow the isles
GRAMMY-nominated chart topping US southern gospel quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are starting their short tour of major UK cities in Lerwick next month, thanks to the persuasive powers of Shetland fan Matthew Laurenson.
Mr Laurenson went to see the singers perform in Glasgow last year and was so impressed he set about booking them for a concert in his native isles.
At first the Christian singers’ promoter expressed no interest in his internationally acclaimed charges performing in such a small and out of the way part of the world, despite their having played in Faroe just a few years ago.
However of Mr Laurenson, who now works for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, persuaded the group to put on a one off show at Lerwick’s Clickimin Leisure Complex on 9 February before they move on to bigger audiences in Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow.
“We booked them last summer and since then they have launched their new Cathedrals Quartet tribute which went to the top of Billboard’s US video charts, beating re-releases by The Rolling Stones and The Beatles into second and third place,” Mr Laurenson said.
“I persuaded them to come by saying that a gig in Glasgow or other major cities is just another gig among many hundreds each year and will quickly be forgotten, but a gig in Shetland from a band this big may be remembered for a whole generation.”
Mr Laurenson said the quartet had “a very unconventional approach” to southern gospel and were backed by some of America’s most talented musicians, who had played with top performers such as Alison Krauss.
The talented quartet wear their Christianity on their sleeve, but are not seeking to convert people.
Mr Laurenson said that more than 200 tickets had already been sold, but he was hoping for a packed house at the Clickimin, which can hold around 1,000 people.
More information about the concert can be found at www.ehss-shetland.com
Tickets for the concert are available from Shetland Box Office on 01595 745555 priced £12 for adults and £10 for children/concessions. Special family deals are also available.
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