Jonathan Mattingly and Billy Blackwood sold CDs at the concert. Jillian Parks | Collegian

The Gospel Barn hosted The Blackwood Brothers and singer Sherry Anne on Sept. 9. 

Member Billy Blackwood’s father and relatives founded the group in Nashville in 1934. 

The quartet — now composed of Blackwood, Jim Rogers, Jonathan Mattingly, and Eric Walker — has won eight Grammy awards.

The quartet performed songs including “When I Cross Over to the Other Side of Jordan,” “Where Could I Go But to the Lord,” and “The Old Country Church.” Before the band performed, Sherry Anne sang original songs, “Who Do You Say I Am,” “Silent Prayer,” and “Still the God Who Parts the Sea.”

The Gospel Barn has been hosting concerts since 1974. Their website describes the rustic barn venue as “an inspired and unique gospel music venue with an atmosphere of fun and fellowship centered on Christ.” Featuring auditorium seating, The Gospel Barn holds concerts every Saturday. 

Blackwood said the band gained the friendship and admiration of rock-n-roll star Elvis Presley. 

Anne, who has a hearing impairment, said she was motivated to become a doctor after struggling with her disability. She shared her personal testimony during the performance, and explained that being a doctor was not satisfying if her life lacked spiritual depth. Anne’s experience with prayer jump-started her current gospel career.

“I began songwriting to give my heart of thanks back to God,” Anne said at the concert. “God deals with his children through the circumstances.” 

“I love southern gospel music, I grew up in a Mennonite home in which we sang all the time, our whole family sang,” said weekly attendee Serena Patrick, who attends the concerts every week. “When I go through a hard time it’s music that gets me out of it, even in the middle of the night. A song will come and it ministers to me.” 

Patrick Ferguson said he was impressed with The Blackwood Brothers’ almost 90-year history and enjoyed every song. 

“I feel rejuvenated by coming to this,” Ferguson said. “It’s kind of like coming to country hoe-downs, it’s like a mixture of country and gospel.” 

Attendee Cheryl Eklund said the barn was a “feel-good place” to come every Saturday night.

The Gospel Barn, located at 4751 Bankers Rd., will host The Inspirations on Saturday, Sept. 16, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers on Sunday, Sept. 17, and The Booth Brothers on Saturday, Sept. 23.