17th Gospel Jamboree held in Malta

The Milk River Gospel Jamboree's 17th year was a successful one, as the event brought plenty of musical talent to all of the city of Malta last weekend.

The three-day event started on the evening of Friday, June 22, and concluded on Sunday, June 24, in the afternoon. The event occurred all weekend at the Malta High School Auditorium.

The PCN caught up with MRGJ Vice-President Jim Fauth and Chairman John Koss on the second day of the event.

"The crowd was really good on Friday," Fauth said. "Usually that Friday night crowd is a little bit thinner, but it was a really good crowd. Each of the eight groups were able to give us a sample of what we could enjoy on Saturday."

Though the Jamboree is a 501c3 organization that runs 100 percent on free will offerings, eight musical acts were featured ranging from bluegrass to country, and more.

"We have several solo acts, which is different than other years, and that sped up the process a little bit," Koss said.

One solo act that attended the event before was Kevin Mills, the low bass singer for the gospel quartet Keepers of the Faith.

Another act that performed a solo act in a previous year was Beth Irvin, who was joined by her husband Dave Irvin in this year's MRGJ.

Rounding out the solo artists was Bruce Rawlings, who sang as well as played guitar.

The event featured the Mahlstedt Family band, a bluegrass act that can feature up to eleven family members at one time.

"It's a family band, so you've got young to old (family members) all participating, playing instruments and singing harmonies gathered around a single microphone sometimes," Fauth said.

For those that love singing quartets and trios, the MRGJ featured the Potter's Clay Quartet, the trio Lost and Found and Three and Company.

"We are really enjoying them," Fauth said. "Three and Company has been here a number of other times. It was the first year for Lost and Found."

The event also featured the talented bluegrass quartet named The Hawley Family.

"You will be spell-bound by their music, their harmonies and real true bluegrass," Fauth said. " The stories that they tell will leave you rolling in the isles sometimes."

Fauth went on to say that the MRGJ committee likes to bring in new groups every year, and roughly half of the lineup is rotated yearly.

The groups not only performed at the Malta High School Auditorium but in various churches last Sunday morning.

"This event is done on a totally free will offering basis," Fauth said. "There is no gate charge, we will not hit you up for anything. We will give you the opportunity to donate. If you do decide to help us out, then it is a tax-deductible gift."

Go to http://www.mrgjamboree.org for more info or to donate.