Dean Poling
VALDOSTA — Gospel music and the sounds of the season are scheduled Friday evening as Brother Benny Daniels presents a free Christmas Gospel Sing, as well as the debut of his first Christmas CD.
“Christ: Reason for the Season” features Daniels singing 10 Christmas tunes: “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Silver Bells.”
It also features an 11th cut featuring Daniels speaking a blessing for the listeners of the CD and his long-running radio program, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”
Daniels has been airing his Sunday morning radio show for nearly 30 years. The show debuted in April 1981 on WJEM where it remained until July 5, 1987. At that time, the show moved to WAAC-93 Country for about 20 years and is now broadcast on WVGA 105.9 FM.
The 30-minute 1981 radio show soon increased to an hour and then several hours. The program now runs from 6-10 a.m. Sundays.
The show is also part of Daniels’ non-denominational CrossPower ministries. Outside of the radio program, Brother Benny, as he’s known by his listeners and followers, ministers to numerous area folks and appears at many area churches, where he brings the mix of music and witnessing that are part of “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”
The radio show features mostly traditional gospel and Southern gospel music. As the years have passed, Daniels has also opened the program’s format to some more contemporary Christian music. He often plays requests.
As for this Friday’s gospel sing, Daniels will be joined by gospel artists The Diamonds and Jamie Hunter.
At A Glance:
Brother Benny Daniels’ Christmas Gospel Sing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Yogi Bear Jelly Stone Family Park, High 53 and Interstate 10, south of Madison, Fla. Admission: Free.
