The American Mountain Theater in Elkins added a series of southern gospel and bluegrass concerts featuring national recording artists to their already phenomenal lineup beginning in 2009. Since that very first year, the series has proven to be a smash hit featuring multiple sell outs every season. For the 2016 season, owner Kenny Sexton has decided to expand the gospel and bluegrass offerings to 14 concerts featuring some of the best in their genres.
The series will kick off on Sunday, Apr. 3, at 3:30 p.m. with a performance by Jimmy Fortune, former tenor singer for the Statler Brothers. He wrote the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits. After the Statler Brothers retired on Oct. 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. His latest album, Hits & Hymns, debuted at #10 on the Billboard Country Album chart and at #1 on the Southern Gospel Album chart.
Next up, will be a fantastic performance by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on Apr. 24. Sexton says, “their on stage energy is amazing.” Grammy award winner Jason Crabb will follow on May 15. “You don’t want to miss the powerhouse vocals that have earned him 21 Dove Awards, including wins in the “Artist,” “Male Vocalist” and “Song of the Year” categories,” says Sexton.
Tribute Quartet will make their American Mountain Theater debut on June 5 followed by the amazingly talented piano player and vocalist, Gordon Mote on June 26. Gordon traveled with the Gaither Homecoming tour for many years and is featured in many of the Gaither Homecoming videos.
Triumphant Quartet will return to the AMT stage for the first time in a couple of years on July 17, followed by the ever popular Dailey and Vincent on July 24. Dailey and Vincent have sold out every year they have traveled to Elkins.
The Diplomats and Jeff and Sheri Easter will be featured in August on Aug. 7 and 28, respectively.
The fall will round out with performances by the Isaacs on Sept. 18, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver on Oct. 23, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage on Nov. 5, and the Hoppers on Nov. 12.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound will return to perform their Christmas show on Dec. 3. “Their 2015 show was absolutely one of the best Christmas productions that I have ever seen,” said Sexton.
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at www.americanmountaintheater.com or by calling the box office at 1-800-943-3670. The theater also offers a variety of vacation packages including multi-night getaways to simple dinner and show packages.
American Mountain Theater always promises to bring the absolute best in entertainment, and even has a money back guarantee to prove it. The venue has received the TripAdvisior Certificate of Excellence in 2013, 2014 and 2015 which is an honor only awarded to businesses consistently receiving outstanding traveler reviews on the site. The theater has also been awarded four WV Division of Tourism awards.
In addition to their spectacular Southern Gospel & Bluegrass concert series, AMT offers family-friendly performances from April – October each year, with their Premier 2-Hour Show, History of American Music Show and Christmas shows in November and December.
