Summer
Big Nights 2018
6/28 – We are Messengers
Seeing lives radically transformed with the desire to serve God is the heartbeat behind We Are Messengers. The band, originally from Ireland and now based in the United States, is led by Darren Mulligan, whose passionate vocals and poignant songwriting garnered the group’s first GMA Dove Award nomination for 2017 New Artist of the Year. Radio stations across the country whole-heartedly embraced the band and its message, as the album’s lead single, “Everything Comes Alive,” became a Top 5 hit and one of Word Entertainment’s fastest-growing radio singles. The band’s follow-up single, “Magnify,” eclipsed the reach of the first single and also reached Top 5 at radio, followed by the equally successful single “Point To You.” In addition, Mulligan’s compelling songwriting can be heard on Crowder’s “My Victory,” as well as selections placed in film and television such as “I Want You,” which was chosen as the theme song for TV show “Coupled,” and the song “I’ll Think About You” featured in the most deeply moving moment of the feature film The Shack.
7/5 – Bryan Drake
The Bryan Drake Show is driven by one clear and overriding passion, to share the Gospel with this generation. Bryan and Karla Drake have performed for hundreds of thousands of people over the past 10 years. They have witnessed the amazing grace of God first hand as thousands of people at their shows have surrendered their lives to follow Jesus. Their unique mix of comedy, mentalism, and illusions have mesmerized audiences all across the United States and around the world. The Bryan Drake Show gives Bryan and Karla a bizarre and unique platform to live out their calling.
7/12 – Meredith Andrews
Andrews grew up in Wilson, North Carolina, where she started singing when she was six years old. She attended Wilson Christian Academy, where she graduated. Andrews later attended college at Liberty University in Virginia. Though she was born an only child, her parents served as foster parents to many children while she was growing up, three of whom later were adopted by her parents.
In 2011, Andrews won two Dove Awards, "Worship Song of the Year" for "How Great Is the Love" from As Long As It Takes and "Praise and Worship album of the Year" for As Long As It Takes. On July 31, 2012, Andrews released a new single "Not For a Moment (After All)" on iTunes. It has now been featured in the top 20 songs of 2013.
Andrews was associated with the Vertical Church Band at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. Since 2016 she and her family reside in Nashville while she released the album Deeper. Andrews married Jacob Sooter and together they have three children.
7/19 – The Skit Guys
“The Skit Guys” is a creative team lead by Tommy Woodward and Eddie James that produces short, comedic videos and dramas to teach principals from the Bible. Woodward and James are high school friends who, since founding Skit Guys Studios, have produced hundreds of short videos and scripts, as well as six books.
7-26 – Josh Wilson
I’m wide-awake in the middle of the night, scared to death. God, would you make this stop?
A guy with chart-topping hits, an industry award for Songwriter/Artist of the Year, and critical recognition as “the future of Christian pop”—all well before age 30—should be walking around feeling lighter than air, right? A strong faith and a healthy marriage are even higher in that mix. So no one was more surprised than Josh Wilson when he had a serious panic attack last year.
“My strange symptoms culminated in severe chest and shoulder pain, difficulty breathing, and almost passing out,” he explains. “My wife took me to the emergency room because we thought I was having a heart attack.”
After several tests a doctor confirmed what had happened, and Josh went home thinking the out-of-nowhere anxiety rush was a weird one-time event. But it wasn’t, and the melodious storyteller was soon waking up frantic in the dark, even canceling performances for fear of losing control. Reconciling these unexpected shades of emotion with his long held beliefs has come to define Wilson’s intentionally joyful, duly heart-touching new album, Carry Me.
“Philippians 4 says, ‘Do not be anxious about anything . . . the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ I prayed for that and each day would say, ‘God, I can’t make it without you. I literally can’t breathe without you. I need you to carry me.’ And He did carry me, and He still does. He carried me through each day even before I experienced the anxiety, but I just didn’t realize it. It took these difficult moments for me to realize how much I need Jesus.”
8/2 – Jonny Diaz
If singer/songwriter Jonny Diaz would’ve had his way, he would’ve been playing Major League Baseball with his brother Matt instead of singing.
At least that was the plan when Jonny headed to Florida State University on a scholarship back in 2002. However, as many believers have learned one way or another, God had another plan in mind for Jonny’s life. Before long, he was picking up a guitar instead of a bat and glove.
After producing a few independent albums in college, Jonny released Beautiful You in 2009 with Sony Records featuring his popular hit "More Beautiful You." The song is passionate about the urgent need to reach our generation with God’s love, forgiveness and grace. It was written to remind women that they were made by God for a specific purpose, and it's "intelligent pop" sound
8/9 – 321 Improv
321 Improv creates a unique, interactive comedy experience unlike any you’ve been part of before. 321 Improv instantly turns audience suggestions into hilarious scenes that will bring tears to your eyes, a pain to your side and will make your face ache with laughter!
Carl Crispin started 321 Improv in 2004 and has been traveling and performing improvisational comedy full time for 18 years. Joining wits with Mike Domeny and Jeremy Schofield, 321 Improv brings a level of energy that makes the show completely unpredictable.
Since its inception, 321 Improv has been in high demand for events across the United States and Canada. They’ve performed in more than 40 states and 4 Canadian provinces bringing true joy and laughter to almost a million people.
Student and adult audiences ranging in size from 50 to 10,000+ people have enjoyed the experience of laughing together in an evening of hilarious, clean entertainment while building stronger bonds within marriages, families, friends, community and the church
8/16 – Legacy 5
When the Legendary Cathedral Quartet retired in December of 1999, Scott Fowler and Roger Bennett decided to continue the rich musical tradition of Southern Gospel Quartet singing. Legacy Five was organized and had their official debut in January 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since that day, they have made a major mark on the Southern Gospel Music world. Immediately audiences responded overwhelmingly to their four-part harmony and their ability to effectively communicate the message of Christ. Since the quartet’s formation, they have established and maintained a firm place at the top of Christian music.