Sunday’s Grand Old Gospel Hour to feature Elvis’ gospel music

On April 19, this Sunday’s Grand Old Gospel Hour will feature Elvis’ gospel music and some of the contestants in the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition. It is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

“Even though Elvis had some 105 Top 40 hits many of which were number one, it was gospel music that earned him his Grammy awards. We at the Grand Old Gospel Hour are happy to be part of the three day Elvis Festival that Legends In Concert is hosting in our new theater home and give some of the outstanding Elvis impersonators a stage on which to perform some of the great gospel music that Elvis recorded,” said Sam Stauffer of the Grand Old Gospel Hour.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour is a long time Branson praise and worship venue free for tourists and locals alike. The non-profit organization is celebrating 14 years in Branson and features a fast-paced, contemporary and gospel praise and worship experience with a live band, gospel vocalists and entertaining and inspirational messages by Stauffer.

“Elvis is probably best known for ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Crying in the Chapel.’ He has been quoted as saying that he knew practically every religious song that’s been written. He recorded songs by William J. Gaither, Andre Crouch and Albert E. Brumley. Traditional gospels songs that he recorded in addition to the Grammy Award-winning ‘How Great Thou Art’ included ‘In the Garden’ along with his own arrangements of ‘Joshua Fit the Battle,’ ‘Swing Down Sweet Chariot,’ ‘By and By,’ ‘Amazing Grace’ and more,” Stauffer said.

Elvis’ ‘How Great Thou Art’ album won the Grammy for Best Sacred Performance in 1967 and the live version won Best Inspirational Performance in 1974.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour Elvis gospel music service is just one of the events during the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition being held April 17-19 at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater hosted by Legends in Concert.

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will take place on the Legends in Concert stage April 18 at 7 p.m. An Elvis Meet and Greet Dinner is Friday at 5 p.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill with the contestants. At 8 p.m. all contestants will be attending the Legends in Concert Show on the Legends in Concert stage where, of course, Elvis is in the spring lineup. At 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, it’s Elvis Karaoke with the contestants in Club 57. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the Elvis Vendor Village will be open in the lobby. At 10 a.m. the movie Speedway starring Elvis and Nancy Sinatra will be shown in the Legends in Concert Theatre. Admission is free to the public.

The Branson Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest is one of 14 tribute competitions currently scheduled and sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. around the world. The winner of this contest will compete in Memphis during the annual Elvis Week in August against a number of other Elvis tribute finalists for the coveted title of the Ultimate ElvisTribute Artist of the Year. Judges look for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall tribute to Elvis in naming the “2009 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.”

Call 417-337-8888 for more information about the Grand Old Gospel Hour.