The Lighthouse Gospelettes>
8th Annual North Carolina Fall Gospel Classic 2004

October 26, 2004

The Lighthouse Gospelettes attended the 8th Annual North 
Carolina Fall Gospel Classic which was held October 13-16, 
2004 at the Red Budd Holy Church, in Rocky Mount, North 
Carolina, where Bishop F.C. Barnes is Pastor. The Fall 
Classic was presented by Luther Barnes Song Ministries.  
The theme for this years Fall Classic was "It's Your Time 
To Be Blessed". The Classic Objective is to bring 
salvation, healing, deliverance, unity and knowledge to the 
gospel community. It is designed to bring the total Gospel 
Community together to fellowship, uplift, and learn from 
each other as we seek to better ourselves as commissioners 
for the Lord's work. It's purpose is to minister to the 
specific needs of the gospel performer, to expose and 
promote promising upcoming gospel talent, and to provide an 
environment for artists, musicians, announcers and record 
companies to network. 
 
The Lighthouse Gospelettes attended various workshops 
daily, luncheons, and nightly services. Some of the 
workshop panelist were: (Monday Night)- Luther Barnes, Dr. 
Ted Wilson, Pastor Walter Ellis, Drexel Mitchell (Platinum 
Records), Kenneth Taylor, Glen Stevenson, Dr. Sharon 
Elliot-Bynum, Earl Bynum, Cindy E. Gainey, Tina Bone, Billy 
Herring. They spoke on the following topics: Your Body, 
Writing & Publishing, Professional Management, Packaging 
the Product, Tracking & Promotion. (On Tuesday Afternoon)- 
The Lighthouse Gospelettes joined a host of other artists 
for a Luncheon in celebration of Shirley Caesars Birthday. 
The Word was brought by none other than Pastor Shirley 
Caesar. Guest groups performing at the Birthday Luncheon 
were Bobby Wilson & Holy Vision, Bo-Peep & Good News, and 
Charles Davis & The Clouds. (On Friday) - Workshop 
Panelist were: Bishop Samuel Butler, Bishop Sam Williams 
(National President for Radio Announcers Guild), Rev. 
George Stewart, Tyrone Porter (The Christianaires), P. Ann 
Everson-Price, Rev. James Bellamy, Evangelist Evelyn 
Turrentine-Agee, Leo Regular, Rev. Jerry Bolton, Steve 
Bracey, and others. The topics were: Breaking into the 
gospel Scene, Understanding Your Calling, A Place for 
Musicians. Steve Bracy did a special session on The Small 
Studio.  
 
The Lighthouse Gospelettes performed at the Red Budd Holy 
Church where Bishop F.C. Barnes is Pastor, on Oct. 16th. 
They were received well with people standing to their feet, 
and loud applause. The Lighthouse Gospelettes were the 
first group to attend the Fall Classic from Athens, GA.  
However, other artists were there from various parts of 
Georgia such as Millegeville, GA, Savannah, GA, and some 
other areas as well. The Lighthouse Gospelettes made 
contact with a number of Radio Personalities/other Media 
Representatives, Producers, Promoters, Record Companies, 
Pastors/Ministers, and well known artists.  
 
The trip to Rocky Mount, NC to attend the Fall Classic was 
well worth the time not only because of the contacts made, 
but because of the fellowship, praise and worship, and 
ministering of God's Word. The group learned so much more 
about the Gospel Music Industry and gained insight on the 
future of the Gospel Music Industry. More importantly, 
God's Word was brought each night by guest ministers as 
well as Red Budd Holy Church's own Bishop F.C. Barnes. 
Luther Barnes stated in so many words that he wanted The 
Fall Classic to not only be about singing, but more 
importantly what we are singing about. Gospel singers need 
to know God's Word. We can't make it to heaven just by 
singing alone.  
 
The nightly services featured soul stirring selections by a 
number of new artists as well as well-known artists such as 
The Williams Brothers, Bishop F.C. Barnes and Company, 
Luther Barnes, The Sensational Nightingales, Evangelist 
Dorothy Norwood, Bishop Neal Roberson, Lil Willie & The 
Keynotes, Pastor Timothy Wright, Doc McKenzie & The 
Hi-Lites, The Jackson Southernaires, Tommie Ellison & The 
Singing Stars, Greg Kelly & Foundation, The Evereadys, The 
Memphis Harmonizers, Slim & The Supreme Angels, Easter 
Michigan Gospel Choir, RXG, The Mime Boyz, New York 
Fellowship Mass Choir, Mark Greene Family & Friends and 
more. Guest Ministers who shared God's word during the 
Fall Classic were: Evangelist Shirley Caesar, Evangelist 
Beverly Crawford, Bishop Kenneth Robinson, Pastor Nell 
Smith-Spells, Pastor Timothy Wright,Pastor Audrey 
McCarter-Hedgepeth, Rev. Walter Ellis. 
 
The Lighthouse Gospelettes had the opportunity to 
join Evelyn Turrentine-Agee on stage to sing "God Did It" 
to close out the final night. 
 
The Lighthouse Gospelettes thank Luther Barnes for inviting 
them to take part in the 2004 North Carolina Fall Gospel 
Classic. It was an experience to remember and cherish.  
The Lighthouse Gospelettes look forward to Fall Gospel 
Classic 2005. "It's Our Time To Be Blessed".