Gospel Music Fest: R&J Custom Exclusive – 4 Seats Left!!

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 If you are a Gospel Music Fan you’ll want to join us for this first-time custom tour planned specifically for our R&J Tours family! 

We have knit together an exclusive 8 day tour featuring seven of our very favorite gospel artists, many in private settings just for us! 

Day 1 – Home to East Peoria 

Our first day we journey to Peoria, IL. We are treated this evening to “The Gospel Music of Elvis,” presented by some of 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: Stoney Creek Inn 

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 sight where many of the famous Homecoming Videos have been recorded. We are privileged to a private tour of the studios, as well as an inside tour of Bill’s hometown. The tour culminates at the lovely city park where we are 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! 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 

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 included here 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 new 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 Grammy winning artists, The Isaac’s, in concert. 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, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn (2 Nights) 

Day 4 – Dry Ridge – Ark Encounter 

Breakfast is served at the Hampton. Today is entirely devoted to The Ark Encounter and music. You’ll have ample time to explore in detail this amazing place. Concerts are scheduled in the morning and later afternoon. Artists featured on this day are Heart 2 Heart as well as one of gospel music’s very favorite, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. For your convenience, shuttle transportation will be offered throughout the day to & from the hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 5 – 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 is a beautiful iconic Tennessee park, Cove State Park where we’ll enjoy a traditional southern Sunday “dinner on the grounds.” Joining us at the park will be long-time Gospel artist, Tim Lovelace entertaining us with music, comedy, and testimony! Then we are on to Franklin, TN, a southern suburb of Nashville and a mecca of Southern Gospel recording artists. We check in to 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 reception in our own private room. We are more than privileged 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) 

Day 6 – 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. Along the way Kevin will share his amazing music as well. What a day this will be! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Day 7 – 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 to Hannibal. A lazy summer evening cruise along 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: Comfort Inn & Suites 

Day 8 – Hannibal to Home 

Breakfast is served at our hotel before our last day of travel. Arrive home feeling inspired and uplifted! 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

The Kramer’s 

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. 

The Isaacs 

A multi-award winning family group who began singing 35 years ago, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical style is influenced by bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, country and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series, and perform internationally. They feel blessed to be able to travel and spread the message of hope and grace through song and story. 

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound 

EHSS is one of the most popular and beloved quartets in all of Southern Gospel music, and they’ve had the honor of performing all over the world. As group founder, Haase is a creative, hard-working tenor whose early roots with the unforgettable and legendary Southern Gospel quartet, The Cathedrals, helped begin his dream to form a powerhouse group of his own. And with their unmistakable four-part harmonies, that’s just what he did! The group consists of Dustin Doyle (baritone), Devin McGlamery (lead), Paul Harkey (bass) and Ernie Haase (tenor). 

Tim Lovelace 

As a Grammy and Dove nominated artist, this nationally sought after storyteller and musician has been described as the most versatile comedian on stage today. His award-winning musical talents, coupled with his crystal clean humor, have people of all ages laughing their ribs loose! He uses humor to motivate and inspire by uniquely delivering life lessons. He also has an extraordinary way of weaving songs into his stage performance as he masterfully displays his musical abilities on piano, guitar and harmonica. 

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.