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If you are a Gospel Music Fan, you’ll want to join us for this custom tour planned specifically for our R&J Tours family! We have knit together an exclusive 7-day tour featuring some of our very favorite gospel artists, many in private settings just for us! 

 

Day 1 – Home to Peoria, IL 

It’s impossible to start a Gospel Music Fest Tour any better than we will today. We travel to Peoria, Illinois and are treated to a full concert by The Collingsworth Family. This talented musical family is the premier vocal group in all of gospel music today. This will be an evening of inspiration that will be on the top of your list for years to come! 

Included Meals: Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Concert: The Collingsworth Family 

 

Day 2 – East Peoria to Greensburg, IN 

We are served hot breakfast before we board the coach and continue our eastward trek into Indiana. Shortly after lunch we arrive in Alexandria, Indiana, the hometown of gospel music legends Bill & Gloria Gaither. While the Gaither gift store, café and warehouse are no longer functioning at this location, the iconic Gaither Studios are, as well as their fascinating Museum packed with one-of-a-kind gospel music memorabilia. This is the site where many of the famous Homecoming Videos have been recorded. We are privileged to a private tour of the studios hosted by Marge, a longtime associate of the Gaithers. The tour culminates at the lovely city park. We are then guests of Woody & Vonnie Wright who will entertain us in an outdoor “picnic on the grounds” concert while we are served by our very own private food truck. The warm and melodic music of the Wrights sets off a perfect afternoon in the park. It will even be topped off with an Ice Cream Social! The award-winning singer/ songwriter, Woody, has been a longtime valued friend of R&J Tours! Following this great experience, we’ll travel for about an hour to our resting place for the evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch/Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Concert: Woody & Vonnie Wright

 

Day 3 – Greensburg to Dry Ridge, KY 

It’s always great to have breakfast right at the hotel to start the day. This morning we travel just down the road to the The Ark Encounter. This awesome attraction is the grandest new tourist venue in the world. Folks from all over the world are flocking here to experience a biblically life-sized reproduction of Noah’s Ark. Since its inception about 9 years ago, the creators have continually added features. So even if you’ve been fortunate to have visited before, there will be new aspects to explore. One of those additions is the Answer Center, a state-of-the-art Performance Center. We have scheduled our visit to be part of their “40 Days & 40 Nights of Gospel Music.” This is now the world’s largest Gospel Music Festival. We arrive at the Ark this morning in time to enjoy Grammy winning artist and Southern Gospel legends, The Easters in concert. Another popular gospel group “Carolina,” will be performing as well. We are here the entire day, so relax and enjoy exploring the Ark, the Music, and the food. Be alert to all the other events that may be offered as well. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Concerts: Carolina & The Easters 

 

Day 4 – Dry Ridge to Franklin, TN 

Help yourself to hot breakfast before we continue our Gospel Music journey. What a Sunday Drive this will be! Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in the rolling pasturelands of Kentucky as we travel south. Ahead are the varied shades of green of the Appalachians. Tucked into the valley between the slopes is a favorite stop, The Museum of Appalachia, a Pioneer Paradise. A Sunday dinner of southern comfort food is served along with a self-guided visit of this unique taste of Appalachia, as well as an outdoor Sunday concert! Then we head on to Franklin, TN, a southern suburb of Nashville and a mecca of Southern Gospel recording artists. We check into the lovely Drury Plaza Hotel right in Franklin. This evening we have the convenience of staying right at the Drury while we savor the goodness of their Manager’s Kickback service in our own private room. We are more than blessed this evening to be joined by Gospel Artist Jason Coleman. Jason is the grandson of legendary Hall of Fame pianist Floyd Cramer, who is generally credited as being one of the architects of The Nashville Sound. Time with Jason will slip by too quickly as we relish the smooth sounds of his keyboard and vocals. Jason will play some traditional gospel, familiar hymns and even share the iconic music of his famous granddad. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Plaza (2 Nights) 

Concerts: Sunday Concert at Appalachia & Jason Coleman 

 

Day 5 – Franklin 

Nothing beats a Drury Plaza breakfast – so enjoy! What a day this will be! This will be the culmination of all that is great about Southern Gospel. We are honored to spend the day with Kevin Williams! You know him well. He is the long-time guitarist and band leader of the famous Gaither Homecoming Concerts and Videos. One of the most gifted musicians in all of Gospel Music and Nashville, his wit and humor have drawn us to his warm and inviting personality. Kevin has welcomed us to come along with him on a very inside tour of Nashville, recording studios and some of his gospel artist friends. We will witness Nashville today like few folks ever get the opportunity to do. Kevin is one of the most respected and requested studio recording artists in Nashville, and he will share with us the stories of what makes his life so intriguing and rewarding. And now it’s bonus time!! We are very privileged to an exclusive, private session & sing-a-long with Kevin and Matthew Holt. That’s right! Matthew Holt. You recognize Matt as well. He has been the iconic pianist for the Gaither Vocal Band the last 10 years. Now a legend in his own right. What a day this will be! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Concert: Kevin Williams & Matthew Holt 

 

Day 6 – Franklin to Hannibal, MO 

Enjoy one last breakfast at the Drury before we pack our bags and set our sights for Minnesota. We travel through Kentucky & Southern Illinois, by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and up the Mississippi River to Hannibal. A lazy summer evening cruise of the Mighty Mississippi on the Mark Twain Riverboat is a perfect way to reflect on what a wonderful Gospel Music journey we’ve had. A riverboat dinner show makes this all the more special. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Show 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Concert: Local Hannibal Gospel Music Group 

 

Day 7 – Hannibal to Home 

Breakfast is served at our hotel before our last day of travel begins. Arrive home enriched after our Gospel Music Fest journey! 

Included Meals: Breakfast

 

The Collingsworth Family 

The Collingsworth’s have widely been considered the uncontested premier gospel singing group over the last 15 years. They have completely rewritten the meaning of harmony in music. Their musical performance is perfection while at the same time being delivered in their warm, family, homestyle manner. You will love this family! 

Woody & Vonnie Wright 

Woody Wright is an American singer and composer of southern gospel and country music. Wright began his vocal training in the local church choir and formed a band with classmates while he was in high school. In the years that followed, he often worked as a background singer and choir member in record productions by well-known artists like Michael English, Bill Gaither, Gary Prim, Chonda Pierce, and Jeff & Sheri Easter. In 2009 he released two bluegrass albums as a member of the Porchlight Trio. He has been part of the Gaither Homecoming Concerts by Bill Gaither. 

Jeff & Sheri Easter 

After thirty-six years of music and marriage, Jeff and Sheri continue to encourage hearts while setting a standard of excellence in the field of southern and country/bluegrass gospel music. Jeff and Sheri have a dynamic sound/stage presence with unbelievable family harmonies and an authentic ability to communicate a message of hope. “When we perform, we want people to leave a little different than when they came in,” Sheri explains. “We want them to have a great time smiling, laughing, crying, and healing. We want them to know God loves them and that He is in control.” 

The Carolina Band 

A high energy group hailing from the Carolinas. If you enjoy the rustic sounds of Classic Country, reminiscent of The Oak Ridge Boys and the Statler Brothers, Carolina is your band. They are unashamed of the Gospel, passionate about the importance of family and proudly patriotic. Carolina is paving the way for a revival of Country back to its roots. 

Jason Coleman 

From a young age, it was evident that Jason had inherited his grandfather’s (Floyd Cramer) “slip note” touch at the piano, as it managed to “slip” its way into even the most elementary songs from his early piano lessons. Jason’s keen ability to play music by ear led to a childhood spent arranging his own renditions of the songs he loved, just as his Grandad did throughout his career. Jason grew up performing with Floyd at his concerts and on national TV, and though he was only 12 years old when Floyd passed away, the close relationship they shared formed the foundation upon which Jason has built his own career in music. 

Kevin Williams 

Kevin Williams is an American guitarist, soloist, comedian, and speaker whose 34-year career in music is full of milestones. Kevin continues to be the guitarist, band leader, and resident funny guy with Bill & Gloria Gaither, The Gaither Vocal Band, and “The Gaither Homecoming” TV Series. 

Matthew Holt 

His parents bought him a piano at age 3 and he began taking lessons early in grade school. Over the years he honed his craft and carefully studied the work of his gospel music heroes. He began playing professionally at the age of 19. In 2012, Matthew Holt became the full-time keyboard player for the Gaither Vocal Band and the Gaither Homecoming Tours.

Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information

Double: $1,999
Single: $2,429
Triple: $1,879
Quad: $1,799

Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person

Double: $116
Single: $149

Travel Bucks

$30 Travel Bucks per person earned with this tour

Deposit Due

$100 deposit per person due at time of reservation. Full payment due 30 days prior to depart.

Passport Needed

No

Tour Pace

Light to Moderate Walking

Price Includes

11 Meals & 2 Manager’s Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach



The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 84°
Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
24°
Minneapolis, Mn
44°
Gospel Music Fest: R&J Custom Exclusive
Motorcoach Departure Date:
08/11/2022
Motorcoach Return Date:
08/17/2022

Make a Reservation Online

Tour Map


Tour Highlights

“The Collingsworth Family” in Concert
“Woody & Vonnie Wright” in Concert
BBQ Picnic in Beulah Park
Gaither Studio and Hometown Inside Tour
The Ark Encounter
Gospel Music Legends “The Easters” in Concert
“Carolina” in Concert
The Museum of Appalachia
Sunday Concert in Appalachia
“Jason Coleman” in Private Concert
An exclusive, private Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Nashville with Kevin Williams
Gospel legends “Kevin Williams” &
“Matthew Holt” in Private Concert
Mark Twain River Boat Gospel Dinner Cruise



Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
24°
Minneapolis, Mn
44°
Gospel Music Fest: R&J Custom Exclusive
The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 84°
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