DEDICATION OF THE DIXIE CARTER PERFORMING ARTS & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT CENTER

City officials, church leaders, and citizens of Carroll County came for the opening event of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts & Academic Enrichment Center. The local group "All Walks Of Life" opened with two patriotic songs, America The Beautiful & God Bless America. They also sang This Little Light of Mine. This all men's group of 8 sang with great harmony.

Local ministers and pastors then offered Scripture readings and prayers. Then the highlight of the evening was the singing of the "Chuck Wagon Gang." Their special style of gospel music was especially inspiring with great harmony and singing of favorite older gospel songs such as "Ill Fly Away," "Church In The Wildwood," and "Echoes From The Burning Bush." The "Chuck Wagon Gang" have been singing for over 70 years and have sold over 39 million records, tapes and CDs. The emcee for the "Gang" told stories of their history. The song "Ill Fly Away" was sent to a gospel group who sent it back the writer Albert Brumley. They told him, "we can't use it." It discourged Mr. Brumley and he laid it on a shelf where it lay for 16 years and was later sent to the "Chuck Wagon Gang." They recorded it first and it has been recorded by artists over a 1,000 times since. There were other stories too lengthy to tell here.

It was a great, inspirational evening. I read James 1:17 and Psalms 105:1.