By Lincoln Lawless, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University’s year-long Centennial Celebration continues with a concert by Mark Lowry, Christian comedian, singer and songwriter Saturday, April 21.
The concert is at 8 p.m. in the Ransdell Chapel, and tickets can be purchased for $30 each. For tickets, stop by the Office of Development or contact Cindy Woosley at (270) 789-5211.
Lowry, who formerly was with The Gaithers, shares his message of God’s love and grace at his concerts.
Lowry is traveling across the country with LordSong and Stan Whitmire on the “God Is Crazy About You” tour. His two most recent CDs are “Be the Miracle” released January 2006 and “Some Things Never Change” released November 2003.
Lowry has been making people laugh, cry and think for over 26 years. He began singing publicly and recording albums and videos since age 11.
“We are very honored to have someone of his stature join us for this Centennial celebration,” said the Rev. John Chowning, executive vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president who is chair of the Centennial Celebration.
“I believe this will be a great experience for our university, and for the people of this community,” said Chowning.
Chowning said this concert is a highlight of the year-long celebration for the 2006-07 academic year. “Mark Lowry’s comedy and songs will enrich your life,” Chowning said, “and we hope you will be able to join us in this event in our new Ransdell Chapel on the CU campus.”
Lowry attended Liberty College (now Liberty University) in Lynchburg, Va., from 1975 to 1980 where he first intended to gain a business degree. In 1976, Lowry felt God was calling him to a music ministry and, when he graduated in 1980 with a youth degree, he began performing at churches around the country.
His first booking agent, Roy Morgan, booked Mark in 43 cities in 41 days. As Lowry put it, “This boy could book a pork chop into a synagogue.”
In 1988, Lowry was offered the baritone part in the Gaither Vocal Band. Lowry remained with the Vocal Band for 13 years, performing dozens of solo concerts each year, as well.
Lowry’s antics on stage with Bill Gaither were an instant hit with Vocal Band audiences and their comedy became the highlight of the evening when the Homecoming tour was born. Lowry has been featured on each of the Gaither Homecoming videos – now numbering more than 60 – often in the co-hosting role with Bill Gaither.
In 1984, Lowry wrote the lyric to a song that would establish his status as a songwriter forever. When his church asked him to write a Christmas play, he wrote down a series of questions that he would like to ask Jesus’ mother, Mary. These questions were used as a “filler” between the scenes of the play. Six years later, after two other writers had already tried, Buddy Greene wrote music to Lowry’s lyric and the song was born… “Mary, Did You Know?”
The song, which has become a modern Christmas standard, has been recorded by more than 30 different artists including Michael English, Kathy Mattea, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, Billy Dean, Natalie Cole, Donnie Osmond and Clay Aiken.
Lowry has recorded six comedy and music videos – four of which have gone “gold” and two of which have achieved “platinum” status. “Mark Lowry on Broadway” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” music video chart and stayed there for five weeks.
Lowry’s latest video, “Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood,” was released in September 2005. “I’ve enjoyed every video I’ve produced through the years. But, I must say, this is my all-time favorite. I love what I was able to say at the very end of the video… that God is truly, absolutely, unconditionally out of His ever-loving mind in love with US! How fortunate are we? I want the world to see this video. Not because it’s funny or because of the music but because I believe so strongly in the message.”
For more information on Mark Lowry, visit his website at www.marklowry.com.
Campbellsville University, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master’s colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.