THE HOPPERS The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Larry Bright Promotions, is sponsoring The Hoppers in Concert for two shows on Saturday, July 12.

A matinee performance is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the evening concert at 7 p.m. in Fullerton Auditorium on the Limestone College campus in Gaffney. Also on the bill will be The American Quartet and local group, Life Song.

The Hoppers are the top Southern Gospel group and appear on the Bill Gaither videos. While the Hoppers have enjoyed tremendous success throughout four decades, the decade of the '90's ushered in new found accomplishments. Although this talented musical family has enjoyed many popular hit releases, their first number one release came in 1990.

In addition to enormous radio success, The Hoppers have enjoyed other national recognition. In 1981, The Hoppers represented Southern Gospel Music at the Religious Inaugural Celebration for President Reagan. The Southern Gospel Music Association voted The Hoppers best Mixed Group from 1998 through 2001. The most recent awards came in September 2003 at the National Quartet Convention when The Hoppers were voted Favorite Mixed Group and Kim Greene Hopper as Favorite Soprano.

The American Quartet was formed in January 2000 and since that time has enjoyed national and international success. Rick Strickland, who sings tenor with the group, was previously with the famed J.D. Sumner and The Stamps.

Life Song is a very talented quintet sponsored by First Baptist Church of Gaffney. Most recently the group opened the show for The Kingsman and The Greenes.

Seating is limited to 1000 per show and both shows are expected to be sell outs as The

Hoppers have a very strong following in the US and Canada.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Buford Street Drugs, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Limestone College McMillan Hall, Hames Music and in Blacksburg at White Columns.

After expenses, majority of the proceeds will be donated to the Winnie Davis Hall restoration project now underway at Limestone College.

For more information you may come by or call the Chamber at 864-489-5721 or by e-mail at comcher@bellsouth. net.