Mark Lowry has been a prominent name in the gospel music scene for years, and aspiring singers and songwriters often ask him to listen to their music.
“I get a lot of people saying, ‘God gave me this song.’ But, sometimes, it feels like God gave it to them because he didn’t want it,” Lowry said with a laugh.
That wasn’t the case when Lowry first heard the sibling trio The Martins.
They were good. And Lowry was hooked.
“From that moment to now, I’ve always wanted to tour with the Martins,” he said.
He’s getting his chance. Lowry and The Martins will perform at 7 p.m. June 11 at Faith Assembly in Pasco, along with pianist Stan Whitmire.
Lowry said to expect a fun, spontaneous evening full of music and stories.
In addition to being an acclaimed singer and songwriter — he co-wrote the modern Christmas classic Mary, Did You Know? — Lowry also is known for his humor, with a way of spinning stories that pulls audiences in.
He draws from real life, finding what’s funny in everyday experiences.
“People connect better to real-life stories,” Lowry told the Herald in a phone interview. “I love stories, especially stories that make that turn — that bring you back to where they started, or bring you to a place you didn’t see coming.”
The Texas native spent more than 20 years with the Grammy-winning Gaither Vocal Band and still is part of the Gaither circle. He also has a long list of solo projects, with a discography that reflects his versatility — from his Unforgettable Classics album with tracks such as Fly Me To The Moon to a hymn collection with songs from The Old Rugged Cross to What A Friend We Have In Jesus.
Lowry was a key figure on The Martins’ road to success.
The siblings’ mother handed him a cassette tape of their music at a convention in 1992, and he helped secure them an impromptu audition with Gloria Gaither not long after. The siblings are Joyce Martin Sanders, Jonathan Martin and Judy Martin Hess.
Lowry said he looks forward to the Pasco show. “It’s a show for the whole family. I want the whole family to come and feel comfortable and have a good time. I want them to leave having heard that God loved them, and having felt it,” he said.
“I just hope (people) come. If they don’t, they’re missing a great night. It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on stage.”
General admission tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, Artist Circle tickets are $25, and a group rate of $17 per ticket for parties of 10 or more and $17 a ticket for groups of 10 or more.
Tickets are available at Faith Assembly or online at www.imcconcerts.com.
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