The Freedom Quartet, a Tennesee-based concert and recording group with deep southern-gospel musical roots, is kicking off its nine-city California tour next month with an appearance in Calimesa. The Sept. 30 concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church, 391 Myrtlewood Dr., Calimesa, announces Calimesa Community Concert Series coordinator Dr. Bob Soderblom.
Freedom Quartet members have been singing gospel music individually for a combined total of over 100 years. Along with individual nominations for favorite tenor, lead vocalist, bass, and even male vocalist of the year, the quartet was collectively voted “Favorite New Traditional Male Quartet” by readers of Singing News Magazine. They record on the “Inspire” label for Chapel Valley Records, with the latest available recording titled “Hymns of Faith & Freedom.”
Quartet members include John Rulapaugh, tenor; Burman Porter, bass; lead singer Dale Shipley; and Scott Mullins, baritone.
Advance tickets for the Saturday evening Calimesa concert are not available from the church, Soderblom says, but can be ordered now from on-line vendor iTickets.com at their Web site or by telephone at (800) 965-9324. Popular credit cards are accepted, but purchases are subject to a nominal service charge. A few unsold seats may be available at the door.
Tickets are all for reserved seating, Soderblom notes, priced at $15 each for rows one through 10 and $10 for rows 11 to 16. There is free parking at the church, and doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 concert.
Calimesa Community Concerts has been sponsoring family-friendly music events in the Yucaipa Valley and nearby communities for 31 years.