CMA winner John Berry will perform Sunday in Ludington

By Kate Krieger. OCP Correspondent.

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. (Mason County) – It’s not everyday when a Country Music Award winner and Grammy Award nominee come to a small city like Ludington to perform, but that is about to change. L.A.K.E. (Ludington Area Kingdom Events), a non-denominational organization providing financial assistance to youth groups will be presenting singer/songwriter John Berry in concert at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, May 18 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 121 Nelson Road.

The fundraising event is for four area church youth groups raising money to attend camps, mission trips and other outreach programs.

Barry Neal, owner of House of Flavors restaurants and sponsor of the event was asked by the event coordinators John Reed, Dan Hunter and Michelle Burt to sit on a steering committee to discuss ideas for the upcoming concert.

“A group of people about two to three months ago got together to organize a concert,” he said. “Our goal was to bring people and churches together for a good Christian concert and it was the idea that we would help create stronger youth groups in the area through L.A.K.E. and this event.”

Neal said that the concert and other events are really ways to help the community create stronger kids and stronger families and also to help youth take their own spiritual journey through a better circle of active church youth groups in the area.

“We didn’t want to just throw another concert,” he said. “What better cause is the area’s youth and we have a lot of youth groups to benefit.”

Berry will be performing his number one hit, “Your Love Amazes Me,” as well as some other hits that broke the top ten country charts in the 90’s. Chloe Kimes, a Mason County Central High School sophomore, will be opening for him.

“What makes John so special to his fans is that he is a faithful Christian man, who shares the message of salvation at every concert he performs at,” concert organizer, Michelle Burt, owner of Spanky’s Pizza, said. “He also has the most beautiful tenor voice you will ever hear.”

Neal stated that it was through Burt’s church in Fremont that she was able to connect with Berry’s people to bring him to the Ludington area for this event. Berry had performed previously there and Burt was able to get him to come back to west Michigan for another concert event.

Tickets for the concert are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and are available through church youth groups at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Greater Life Church, Mason County Reformed Church and Faith Covenant Church of Manistee.

Tickets are also available at Spanky’s Pizza of Ludington, Parkdale Auto of Manistee or online at www.itickets.com.

If you would like to support these youth groups, have any questions about a concert sponsorship or are interested in purchasing a large quantity of tickets, contact Michelle Burt at 231-924-6260 or Burt.michelle@sbcglobal.net.

Brian Lane of Capitol Nashville Records says, ” I have enjoyed John’s songs and stories through my friendship with him over the years. He’s just a real man, living a real life and serving a real God and I’m proud to call him my friend.”

More information about John Berry can be found at his website, www.johnberry.com or by visiting his Facebook page at www.facebook.com, then searching for “John Berry.”

“John really has a great story,” Neal said. “It will be a great concert for a great cause. Whatever the family unit looks like, we are supporting that. These youth groups really promote good family values.”