Legendary gospel

Next Sunday, May 24, legendary gospel singer Ronny Hinson will be at Trinity Assembly of God in Olive Branch, Illinois, at 11 a.m. for a free concert.

Pastor Stephen Clardy and his wife, Carrie, have great expectations for the ministry Hinson will bring to their church.

The event came about because of Hinson's longstanding relationship with Glenda Mayberry, Carrie's mother. Mayberry once worked in the Southern gospel arena, and she is well-acquainted with the man and his music.

When he realized there was an opening in Hinson's schedule, Clardy decided to have him come "bless the community with his music."

Hinson has been in the music business for 48 years. He started out in 1967 as a part of The Hinsons, with three brothers and a sister. The family group retired in 1988, then reunited for a brief U.S. tour in 1993.

Sadly, after 15 tour dates, lead singer Kenny was diagnosed with cancer. The siblings canceled the remainder of their tour. His brother died in 1995, and Ronny Hinson embarked on a solo career.

In those early years, although The Hinsons sang some songs others penned, most of what they sang, they wrote themselves, and most of the songs were old-style gospel. Now that Hinson is a solo artist, this remains a defining characteristic.

"He writes a lot of his own songs, which inspires people to go through everyday life, and to know God helps people go through those struggles of life," Clardy said.

Hinson said: "I try to appeal with the old and the new style to all ages, and down through the years, I have been pretty successful doing that."

Some of his songs are newer in style -- "edgy and contemporary" -- but most are old Southern style.

When people come to the concert, what should they expect?

"When you attend a Ronny Hinson concert, you can expect some of the older classics The Hinsons sang years ago. This is what established us as gospel music legends," Hinson said.

The audience also will hear new songs that make a statement of faith. Most of them will be the original songs that people such as Pastor Clardy have loved and found strength in throughout the years.

Hinson said there also will be "powerful testimony and the Word [of God] woven into the fiber of the program, delivered between songs."

The artist's main desire is to give the invitation for people to accept Christ. "That's my goal," he said.

The Clardys have some expectations of their own.

"My overall expectation is to bring people to Christ, and through the power of music ... bring people together to do the work of Christ," Clardy said. "The goal, first, is to uplift Christ, and second of all, to draw others to Him, and third, to draw others to each other to do the work of Christ."

Hinson has experienced much success in his storied career -- many awards and accolades. He cherishes some more than others.

For example, in 1972, he made history: He won the Dove Award, which is chosen by the industry, and the Singing News Fan Award, which fans select, for his song "The Lighthouse."

Never before had an artist won those two awards in the same year for the same song.

Being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006 is another career highlight for Hinson.

Hinson is not above taking inspiration from other artists. He finds inspiration in The Goodman Family and The Rambos, "specifically Rusty Goodman, who was my writing mentor," he said.

After almost 50 years in the music ministry, Hinson still is growing. He said he still writes and sings the same.

"The greatest change has taken place in me pertaining to my relationship with Christ," he said.

Hinson continues to move forward in his music and is "writing continually" for a new project to be released later this year.

For now, his eyes are fixed on ministering at Olive Branch, about 17 miles southeast of Cape Girardeau. Clardy's eyes are fixed there as well, as he expects the church building, which holds up to 150 people, to be full for the concert.

He reiterated the concert is free, delighting in the opportunity to "provide a free concert to the community and anyone else who would like to come to be uplifted and inspired."

A freewill offering will be received, but no one is obligated to give.

"Just show up and enjoy," said the pastor.

Pertinent address: 27186 Illinois Route 3, Olive Branch, IL 62969