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Shout To The Lord At Wimauma Gospel Event

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

WIMAUMA - In August, gospel musicians from across the state and beyond will congregate in South Shore.

They will take part in the Florida Gospel Music Association's 19th annual fall music convention Aug. 29-31 at the Wimauma Convention Center, 5408 State Road 674.

"I'd say we had a couple of thousand people throughout the weekend last year and I'd expect this year to be about the same," said Linda Buie, a member of the Wimauma Church of God, which has helped advertise the event the past few years.

The convention is one of several annual concerts organized by the association, whose mission is to bring positive, professional and wholesome music to people throughout Florida and the Southeast.

More than 30 gospel artists - from solo singers and duos to group and family acts - will take the stage over the weekend.

As a lead up to the main event, several of the acts attending the convention - the Pickerings, Pure Heart and Redemption Road - were scheduled to perform last Saturday at the Sun City Center Christian Center.

Although most of the acts are based in Florida, several will come from beyond the state's borders.

Out-of-state acts include Tennessee's Faithful Ministry.

Despite the glut of gospel musicians, the weekend will offer more than just good tunes.

"All of the gospel acts are great, but the highlight of the weekend for me is the chapel service by Randy Perry," Buie said of the service scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 30. "He's just a very animated speaker, and people should really see him in person."

She added the convention has seen several changes of venue between Bradenton and Wimauma through the years, before settling on Wimauma seven years ago.

"Before, the crowds were really, really small, so we didn't even ask people for a donation," Buie said. "The event's grown a lot the last few years and it's a great weekend for fans of gospel music."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Florida Gospel Music Association's 19th annual fall music convention

WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug. 29; 6 p.m. Aug. 30-31

WHERE: Wimauma Convention Center, 5408 State Road 674

COST: $5 donation at the door

INFORMATION: For recreational vehicle camping, call (813) 634-7537. For information on the convention, call (407) 788-6556 or visit www.fgma.org.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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