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 East Peoria, IL
Our first day we journey to Peoria, IL. We are treated to a special evening with our gospel music friends, the Kramers! This incredibly talented family have thrilled and inspired us on many occasions. We’ll be relaxed and contented as we enjoy the music because we have just shared a delicious meal at The Monte Cristo in Germantown Hills!
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Concert: The Kramers
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. We’ll experience the iconic Gaither Studios 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 Woody, 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 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. Then it’s just a short drive before we arrive at the incredible Creation Museum. You could visit this amazing place over and over again and still not take it all in. So don’t waste any time visiting! Lunch is on your own at their pleasant cafeteria on your own schedule. After lunch we travel just down the road to their sister site, The Ark Encounter. This awesome attraction is the grandest new tourist venue in the world. Folks from all over the world are flocking there to experience a biblically life-sized reproduction of Noah’s Ark. Since its inception about 8 years ago, the creators have continually added features. So even if you’ve been fortunate to have visited before, there will be plenty of new experiences to witness. One of those additions is the magnificent Answers Center building. 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 this afternoon in time to enjoy concerts by Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers as well as Justin Cole. We are here through Saturday evening, so relax and enjoy 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 (2 Nights)
Concerts: Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers; Justin Cole
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 Kickback Reception, which is a complete light meal, 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, Drury Kickback
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, Drury Kickback
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 Kramers
Since their beginning in gospel music ministry, The Kramers have maintained a high quality of musical excellence. One cannot attend a Kramers concert without being touched. With Rachel’s beautiful, soaring soprano voice, Maria’s tender, heartfelt delivery of beautiful lyrics and smooth family harmonies, many doors of opportunity have now opened nationally. The Kramers were recently nominated for “2020 New Artist of The Year” as part of The Singing News Fan Awards. They recently released their latest album, “The Hope of All Tomorrows.” The new project is indicative of The Kramers wide range of musical styles as it offers touching ballads, up-tempo songs with catchy melodies, powerful songs of worship, and songs featuring awe-inspiring orchestrations.
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.
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.
Plus Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers as well as Justin Cole
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
11 Meals & 2 Kickbacks, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
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08/10/2023 08/16/2023
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
The Kramers in Private Concert
Woody & Vonnie Wright in Private Concert
Gaither Studio and Hometown Inside Tour
Creation Museum
The Ark Encounter including part of their 40 Days & 40 Nights Gospel Music Festival
Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers and Justin Cole in Concert
Museum of Appalachia with Outdoor Sunday Singing!
Jason Coleman in Private Concert
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Personal Experience with Kevin Williams & Matthew Holt
A Behind-the-Scenes tour of Nashville with Kevin Williams
Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise
