MINERAL CITY — Canton resident Darla Eubanks closed her eyes and raised her arms as she swayed to the music of Danny Gokey at the Thursday night start of the Alive Music Festival.
It was his first time at the contemporary Christian music extravaganza, which continues through Sunday at Atwood Lake Park in Carroll and Tuscarawas counties.
For concert times and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.alive.org/.
As Gokey’s voice trailed off and he left the stage for the TobyMac headliner, Eubanks, 65, opened his eyes and smiled.
“I love the cult and I love Danny Gokey,” she said. “That’s when you come into the presence of the Lord and worship because of all he has done for me.
“When you hear the lyrics of the songs, they are God’s love for us and God standing with us and encouraging us.”
Gokey’s songs, “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” and “More Than You Think I Am” hold special meaning.
“These songs got me through some really tough times a few years ago,” Eubanks said.
She was among thousands of people who attended the first day of the annual festival, which attracts people from across the country.
Still smiling, Eubanks looked left and right at her, explaining that she had come to the event alone, and even though she didn’t know the people around her, the other believers in Christ felt like friends. .
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She was an example of what fans and organizers say is the essence of Alive: people who not only appreciate music and its varied styles, but are spiritually connected to it.
And that connection was evident when Gokey and TobyMac kicked off the festival with faith and flair.
Don Ujek, 52, of Aurora, Illinois, said he owed 10 years of sobriety to discovering Jesus.
Ujek has appeared at other Christian music festivals, but never at Alive until this week; he said it is among the biggest he has participated in.
Carrie Olson, 25, of Reading, Michigan, was with Crossroads Farm youth ministry.
“We’re a rural youth ministry, so it’s really huge for them,” she said of the kids. “Many of our kids have never been camping before or even out of the county or state, so this is a great opportunity for them to be around fellow believers and do something new.”
Danny Gokey was third-place finisher on ‘American Idol’
Gokey first rose to prominence when he finished third on “American Idol” in 2009, while TobyMac is widely considered a pioneer in the Christian hip-hop and rap scene. See the article : Rudy Giuliani hit back “over politics” following Roe’s move.
Gokey took the stage around 7:30 p.m. under a clear blue sky and a setting sun. Showcasing his impressive vocal range, Gokey immediately launched into an upbeat song with “New Day.”
A backing band was there with guitar, keyboards, saxophone, bass and percussion.
For pop songs in her own right, Gokey trod the floor in the audience, belting out faith-inspired lyrics, including 2021’s release, “Jesus People,” which energized the crowd.
Surprises include a cover of Justin Timberlake’s hit, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”
Gokey also slowed down the tempo a few times. Climbing up a stool, he showed off his clean, pure, soulful voice and his ability to stretch and hold a note.
Assuming the role of a pop star preacher, Gokey stopped repeatedly to extol the virtues of faith in God, both its heights and its challenges.
He also told the crowd that he planned to watch TobyMac from the side of the stage. And it’s easy to see why.
TobyMac talks about death of his 21-year-old son
Starting just before 9:30 p. On the same subject : Heydenburk’s new board seat for the Housing Council in Greater Fort Worth.m., the oldest statesman at the Alive festival emerged from the darkness as the stage came alive with lights and video footage.
And the party was in full swing. TobyMac took the controls from an audience representing all age groups.
From the start, the stylish performer held out the microphone to the audience to sing along to the choruses of her hit songs, including “I just need U.” and “Love Has Broken”. Many fans near the stage also knew the verses, shouting the lyrics excitedly.
The show was a hybrid of a mainstream arena act and a church camp revival. And it worked wonderfully.
Moments of faith and reflection were woven throughout both performances.
After playing a slew of upbeat and danceable songs, TobyMac took a break before playing an acoustic ballad dedicated to his 21-year-old son Truett Foster McKeehan, who passed away in 2019.
McKeehan had attended the Alive festival as a child and had even been on stage with his father.
TobyMac thanked fans for helping him cope with the devastating loss.
“We absolutely felt surrounded by love, and that’s how the body of Christ should feel,” he said.
Of his son, the singer said, “I know I’ll see him again. I have the faith to believe it. I’m sticking with it. I’m counting on it.”
Calling Truett his “wild child”, TobyMac admitted he also faces obstacles. “My good doesn’t outweigh my bad,” he said.
Then he quoted John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“I’ve known this verse all my life,” the artist said. “But now it means something more.
“…The way I see it is that God gave his firstborn son so that I could see my firstborn son again.”
Contact Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
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