”Give God the glory for every good thing you do.”
Merle Haggard
“Pray”
Most folks don’t know the Hag released a Bluegrass album. Some folks know about it but insist it’s more Acoustic Country than Bluegrass.
I happened to not care what you call it—I like it. I’ve performed it at The Rosine Barn Jamboree, and I plan to July 11 at the Rough River Lodge, specifically for my friend Brian Stevenson, a diehard Haggard fan who runs the show there.
That first line of the chorus in “Pray,” which Merle Haggard himself wrote, strikes me as particularly poignant because I think I’m doing a good thing in my hometown of Rosine, Ky.
Saturday, August 23, 2025, 6-8pm, the very first Rosine Bluegrass Gospel Show in the historic church where Bill Monroe’s funeral was held.
At that time in 1996, it was the Rosine Methodist Church. Now, it’s the home of the Rosine Community Church.
Not only is the site historical for his funeral, but also because Bill Monroe learned shape-note singing here as a young boy, albeit in a former structure that burned down and was replaced by the current building.
I’m currently researching the annals of history for specific facts and dates. Doing so, I found this interesting 1873 platt of how Rosine was to be laid out.
(from The Kentucky Encyclopedia)
If you apply the platt to this 1889 deed, you’ll see the church is still right where it’s supposed to be.
(from Marty Shephard, current owner of the property)
The Rosine Bluegrass Gospel Show will be 100% gospel. Music by, to, and for the Lord!
I don’t know how or where this adventure will lead, but I’m compelled to give it a try.
It’s a small, modest church. Nothing at all fancy about it, but the Lord’s spirit abides there. And, who knows, Monroe’s spirit might still linger, at least in the abstract sense.
I first went to my friend Marty Shephard, who owns the property. He gave me his blessing but deferred to the current church resident, as far as final say.
So I called Rosine Community Church Pastor Danny Veteto on a Sunday afternoon and explained to him what I had in mind. Mr. Veteto responded positively and said he would take my proposal to his congregation the next Sunday.
Boy, that was a long week, waiting to learn what those folks would decide. Of course, the answer was yes, or I wouldn’t be writing this post announcing a new opportunity to hear live Bluegrass Gospel.
I found out later the congregation unanimously supported my proposal. God is great!
So, just what did I propose? A free night of music on the fourth Saturday of each month with two bands performing Bluegrass Gospel, one hour each. In addition, I proposed a love offering, half of which would go to the church, the other half for the bands.
Is God going to be angry that I didn’t propose giving the entire love offering to the church? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know the Lord knows my heart.
I don’t imagine the love offering will amount to much, but it can be enough to pay the church’s utilities for that night so they’re not out any expenses. It can also help the bands pay for gas.
This will not be a fundraiser or a benefit or a moneymaker of any kind.
There also will not be a sermon. Obviously, nothing wrong with sermons, but the music will speak for itself.
Based on reactions from bands I’m talking to, this opportunity is speaking well for itself. I have the first three months booked and one band for the fourth month.
I’m happy to announce the current schedule:
Aug 23– 6:00– Kenneth & Angie Newell
7:00– The Caney Creek Gang
Sept 27– 6:00– For His Glory
7:00– The Possum Pickers
Oct 25– 6:00– McDonald Rd
7:00– Blue Again
Nov 22– 6:00– ?
7:00– The Joslin Family
Dec 20– 6:00– ?
7:00– ?
As you can see, I have some question marks to fill. The six o’clock November date may be filled as soon as tonight. I also have several other bands studying their schedules for a night they can play.
The December 20 date is a conundrum. First of all, you can see I moved it to the third Saturday so we could do something special for Christmas.
I’m starting to wonder if that’s going to work. Folks are so busy around that time, traveling and shopping, etc.
What will God think if I decide not to have a Rosine Bluegrass Gospel Show in December because it’s an inconvenient time of year? Would it deserve God’s favor for the rest of the year?
I’ll have to pray on it. 🙏🏻 Feel free to let me know what you think about it in the Comments.
I have a tendency sometimes to make mountains out of molehills. It’s a common trait of we humans. I even wrote a gospel song about it back in 2018.
I think I’ll try to work this up for August 23, the inaugural “Rosine Bluegrass Gospel Show.”
Not to equate the two, but I hope God and Bill Monroe will be smiling in Heaven when Kenneth & Angie Newell kick off the first song that evening.
And I sure hope some of you can find a way to attend. God bless!
